Module ARA1018 for 2022/3
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
ARA1018: Introduction to Islam
This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 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: | |
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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. |
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 |
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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 |
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 |
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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 |