Introduction to The Qur'án
TOPIC:
The Qur'án is the divine revelation on which the religion of Islam is based. The Bahá'í sacred writings are filled with quotations from it and allusions to it, and many words used by the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, and `Abdu'l-Bahá have quranic resonances. Its study by Bahá'ís is emphasized by Shoghi Effendi: "They must. . .approach reverently and with a mind purged from preconceived ideas the study of the Qur'án which, apart from the sacred scriptures of the Bábí and Bahá'í Revelations, constitutes the only Book which can be regarded " (ADJ 49). "The Guardian would certainly advise, and even urge the friends to make a thorough study of the Qur'án, as the knowledge of this sacred Scripture is absolutely indispensable for every believer who wishes to adequately understand and intelligently read, the writings of Bahá'u'lláh" Directives of the Guardian, p. 63). The course will examine the entire text of the Qur'án and Islamic and Bahá'í commentaries on its meaning. Technical terms will be explained in order to make the text accessible to those who do not know Arabic.
DATES:
December 1, 2000, to February 28, 2001
TEXTS:
- The Qur'án and various commentaries and supplemental readings assigned by the Institute.
- The course's one official textbook is Michael Sells' Approaching the Qur'an (White Cloud Press, 1999: click here for the book's website), which comes with a CD recording of Qur'an recitation. The Wilmette Institute can provide the book for $15.00, 20% off its cover price of $18.95; the CD is included at no extra charge.
- We may also be using a new textbook on Islam by Moojan Momen, but it will not be published until December or January, and we might not get it in time.
FACULTY (tentative):
Dr. Iraj Ayman
Dr. Vahid Behmardi
Dr. Brian Miller
Ms. Farnaz Ma'sumian
Dr. Moojan Momen
Dr. Manuchehr Salmanpour
Dr. Robert Stockman
COST:
$150
A twenty percent discount is available when registering as part of a local
group of three or more (who pledge to meet together semimonthly to study the
texts) or to senior citizens (65 and older) or to those whose service to the
Faith engenders financial hardship. Larger discounts are available for even
larger groups who plan to study the course together. Financial aid is also
available.
There are no residential
requirements, for the course is conducted by correspondence and over the
internet. College credit and scholarships may be available. Contact the
registrar for more information.
REQUIREMENTS:
The course is taught at the undergraduate level of difficulty. Therefore, it
is open to those with a high school degree or equivalent.
THE THREE-TIERED SYSTEM:
All of our distance-education courses can be taken at three difficulty levels: introductory (roughly equivalent to a late high-school or early college level), intermediate (roughly equivalent to a standard undergraduate college course), and advanced (graduate level). Students in all three levels are assigned the same reading, but prepare different types of homework. Introductory students prepare an informal self-evaluation at the end of each unit, discussing what they learned and their reactions to or thoughts about it. Intermediate students prepare a more formal learning project for each unit, such as an essay, presentation, fireside, or artistic project. Advanced students, who will be mentored only by a professor with a doctorate, will work with their advisor one-on-one to prepare an individually-tailored course of study. Students at all levels will participate in the same listserver and conference calls, and receive the same course materials.
WORK EXPECTATIONS:
The course will take five to
ten hours of work each week and will involve:
- Reading and using the knowledge you acquire.
The course is divided into a series of units, each of which involves reading
part of the Qur'an and related texts. The course offers a series of study
questions, learning projects, and sample tests on the Qur'an, including
giving a deepening or fireside; doing an artistic project; or finishing a
writing project about it.
- Assistance by a mentor/advisor, who reviews and
comments on all homework you do, and answers your questions.
- For those who are part of local study groups,
discussion assignments are provided.
- Participation in "quran" the course's
email discussion group. Because of the speed and efficiency that email
provides, all students are urged to acquire email for the
course.
- Access to the course's password-protected web
site, which includes additional study material and completed sample homework
assignments.
- Voluntary participation in conference calls
with up to five other students and a faculty member.
- Completion of a final project that involves
review of the material studied, evaluation of what one has learned, and
systematic application of it to teaching and deepening.
GRADING OPTIONS:
The course is usually taken
pass/fail with review and comments about assignments by the instructor. It may
be taken for a grade (A, B, C, D, F).
