Module ARA1018 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
ARA1018: Introduction to Islam
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The primary aim of this module is to introduce you (without needing prior background) to the basic sources and historical contexts for the origins of Islam (Qur'an, sira, hadith) and some of the basic spiritual principles expressed in those sources as well as the contexts and practices that exemplify the spiritual principles. An important secondary aim (which is indispensable for fulfilling the primary aim) is to help you become aware of and begin to abandon cultural stereotypes about what constitutes both "religion" and "Islam," and to begin to become aware of other disciplines and conceptual tools rooted in history and the social sciences which are more adequate for perceiving and conveying the actual phenomena related to cultural traditions, social practices and every-day lives among Muslim peoples. The module includes a component of library and information literacy designed for beginners in Arab and Islamic Studies.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Possess a conceptual awareness of the most basic vocabulary and sources of Islamic religious tradition; and a basic awareness of the diversities of Islamic traditions and practices. 2. Acquire the necessary library and information literacy skills required for Islamic Studies. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Read critically and carefully and to contextualise in an appropriate, comprehensive manner both documents and visual (media) materials from an unfamiliar subject matter and cultural/historical setting. 4. Recognize and contextualise all the relevant dimensions of religious life and tradition |
| Personal and Key Skills | 5. Develop analytical writing skills and the ability to sift and synthesise unfamiliar material from many sources. 6. Relate broad methodological, philosophic, ethical and spiritual issues and religious traditions to the corresponding practical issues and challenges in relevant areas of contemporary life. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- General historical background: Near Eastern monotheisms, Muhammad in Mecca and Medina.
- The Qur'anic revelation and formation of a community, creed and policy.
- The Prophet, the hadith and the Sunna: historical contexts, lines of interpretation, the Prophetic example; devotion, covenant renewal, pilgrimage, visitation
- Islamic art and architecture
- The formation of the Islamic tradition: formation of a community, creed, theologies and policies
- Islamic mysticism/Sufism
- Ritual and devotion
- Philosophy and theology
- Fiqh, Shari'a, ethics and Islamic 'law'
- Muslim responses to modernity
- Who speaks for Islam? Religion and identity in the modern world
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | 11 x 1 hour lectures |
| Guided Independent study | 60 | Reading for and reflecting on class discussions in seminars |
| Guided Independent study | 12 | Completion of formative on-line assignments in the Library Literacy component |
| Guided Independent study | 56 | Researching and completing summative assignments |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 11 | 11 x 1 hour seminars |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online assignments on the Library Literacy component. | Quiz | 1-4 | Online feedback |
| Small group presentations in seminars | Weekly | 1, 3-6 | Oral feedback |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| Essay 2 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 word essay 1 | 2,000 word essay 1 | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
| 2,000 word essay 2 | 2,000 word essay 2 | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
