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This is
not a current syllabus, it is a generic one to give students an idea about
the course; for up-to-date syllabus and schedule, please logon
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About the Course: Soon after the death
of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslim thinkers resorted to reason in order to
interpret religious tradition and in order to make sense of the political
chaos. Although the early Islamic ethical and philosophical discourse was
grounded in the religious tradition; Mu`tazilites’ rationalism had opened
the door to outside ideas. Subsequently, during the lifetime of al-Ghazzali,
all Musim philosophers, ethicists, and jurists were aware of the major
Greek arguments.
During the lectures, an attempt will be made to establish the broad
context of the development of Muslims’ theological, ethical, political,
and legal thought. The reading selections will focus on specific thinkers
and specific themes. For instance, students will be exposed to the
writings of Ibn Sina, Ibn Rushd, al-Ghazzali, and al-Farabi; while reading
about the topics of faith, reason, love, happiness, sexuality etc…
Although there are no prerequisites for this course, students are expected
to have some background in Islamic studies, philosophy, or ethics. Reading
assignments are significant so students are advised to reserve enough time
to finish the readings before every class session.
III. COURSE READINGS:
In addition to selected chapters and books, there will be additional
reading materials to be made available to students on webCT and on
reserve. These additional materials will be announced during lectures, so
attendance is strongly recommended.
Textbooks:
Required:
1. Ghazzali. The Alchemy of Happiness. London: MES, 1991.
2. Averroës. Faith and Reason in Islam. Oxford: Oneworld, 2001.
3. Avicenna. Avicenna on theology. London: Murray, 1951.
4. Fakhry, Majid. Al-Farabi, Founder of Islamic Neoplatonism. Oxford:
oneworld, 2002.
5. Farah, Madelain. Marriage and Sexuality in Islam. Salt Lake City:
University of Utah Press, 1984.
Optional Resources:
* The Political Writings of Alfarabi
* Three Muslim Sages: Avicenna-Suhrawardi-Ibn Arabi
* Alfarabi, Avicenna, and Averroes, on Intellect: Their Cosmologies,
Theories of the Active Intellect, and Theories of Human Intellect
* The Texture of the Divine: Imagination in Medieval Islamic and Jewish
Thought
* Islamic Ethics of Life: Abortion, War, and Euthanasia
* Ethical Theories in Islam
* Ethical Writings of Maimonides
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