UCL - Koran Readings

[GLOR2681]

[30h] 5 credits

This two-yearly course is taught in 2011-2012, 2013-2014,...

Teacher(s):

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

At the end of the course, the student should have acquired : - knowledge of the structure, the composition, the contents and the historical and anthropoligical contexts of the Koran ; - knowledge of the formal aspects of the Koran text ; - basic knowledge of the problematics of traditional and modern Koran exegisis ; - basic knowledge of the scholarly approach of modern Koranic studies ; - research skills and a critical attitude as relevant for Koranic studies ; - the communication skills required to orally present the findings of a small-scale research project on an aspect of the Koran text.

Main themes

This course deals with the Koran text , its scholarly analysis and the study of its main contextual issues according to scholarly standards. Themes will be defined in accordance with the tutor's research agenda and the students' own interests. Texts will be read and commented upon from grammatical, philological and contextual viewpoints, with reference to relevant studies.
Possible subjects of study: - Koran verses used in Islamic ritual (pilgrimage, fast, prayer etc.); - passages often quoted in political, legal and social contexts (position of women, geopolitical developments, social issues); - diversity in Koran exegesis (e.g., philological, mystical, philosophical, legalist, modernist and political interpretations); - the Koran text and the historical relations between Islam and other religions, particularly Christianity; - new theories on Jewish, Christian and other influences on the shaping of the Koran text.

Content and teaching methods

Development of knowledge on the formal, contextual and philological aspects of the Koran text. Training in research and presentation skills applied to Koranic studies, centered around selected themes. Passages from the Koran will be read and studied with audio support.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisite : at least one year of Classical and/or Modern Standard Arabic. Knowledge of another Semitic language is helpful.
Evaluation : continuous assessment, based on oral presentations and participation in group discussions; oral exam on the course material and on reading assignments.
Support: printed texts, photocopies, documents presented in digital format, sound recordings. The course provides E-learning activities, with compulsory registration on the I-campus platform.
Please note: while French is the language of instruction, other contact languages (Arabic, English, German) may be used occasionally as well, in the case of contributions by visiting lecturers from abroad.