"Islam for Deepening and Dialogue"
(Oct. 15, 2004-Jan. 15, 2005)

TOPIC: The course will briefly survey pre-Islamic Arabia, examine the life of Muhammad, the process of revelation and subsequent compilation of the Qur'án, cover the teachings and practices of Islam, explore its rich civilization, and consider its current situation in the world. The subjects will be studied for the purposes of deepening and dialogue, that is, understanding the basics of Islam as a divinely revealed religion (and by comparison, the Bahá'í Faith).

DATES: Oct. 15, 2004 to Jan. 15, 2005

TEXTS: (available through the Institute):
Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions (Islam chapter)

James Fieser and John Powers,
Scriptures of the World's Religions (Islam chapter)

Moojan Momen, Islam and the Bahá'í Faith

FACULTY: Necati Alkan, Susan maneck, Moojan Momen, Robert Stockman, and Ismael Velasco

COST: $150 (individual); $300 (group)
Financial aid is available.

There are no residential requirements, for the course is conducted by correspondence and over the internet. The Institute may be able to assist students to obtain college credit.

The course may be taken at the introductory level (a basic course that will help students teach the Faith more effectively), the intermediate level (for more in-depth study) or the advanced level (equivalent to graduate-level study).

WORK EXPECTATIONS: The course will take five to ten hours of work each week and will involve:

A. Reading and using the knowledge acquired. The course has four units involving reading about Islam, its texts, its relationship to the Bahá'í Faith, and its current international situation respectively. All students must complete one posting per unit. At the end of the course, each student completes two learning projects, one involving a presentation (fireside, deepening, children's or youth class, artistic presentation) and the other a writing project (essay, religion study outline, local course curriculum; length depends on the learning level you choose).

B. Assistance by a mentor who reviews and comments on all homework and answers questions.

C. For those who are part of local study groups, discussion assignments are provided.

D. Participation in "ISLAM," the course's email discussion group. Because of the speed and efficiency e?mail provides, all students are urged to acquire e?mail for the course.

E. Access to the course's password?protected web site, which includes additional study material and completed sample homework assignments.

F. Voluntary participation in conference calls with other students and a faculty member.

GRADING OPTIONS: The course is usually taken pass/fail, but may be taken for a grade.

WHAT LEARNING PROGRAMS DOES THE WILMETTE INSTITUTE OFFER?
Basics of the Bahá'í Faith Courses: Four distance-learning courses covering basic aspects of the Bahá'í Faith. One course is offered every six months; the entire sequence can be covered in a two-year period.

Beyond the Basics Distance-Learning Courses: Specialized distance-learning courses (such as this one) on a variety of topics (including the Bahá'í writings, history, teachings, and world religions). Some forty courses are rotated on a four-year cycle.

Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization Program: A four-year program including two weeks of intensive study each summer in Wilmette and ten months of home study.