CLUSTER M27A
Global Islam
Description: (Formerly numbered 27A.) (Same as Islamic Studies M27A.) Lecture, three hours; discussion, two hours. Course M27A is enforced requisite to M27B, which is enforced requisite to M27CW. Introduction to Islam, immensely diverse global tradition which is second largest religion. Study of Islam and Muslims within framework of study of global religious traditions and emphasis on profound diversity of localized belief and practice found across world. Examination of Islam's evolution across 15 centuries, from late antiquity--when it emerged as localized religion in Central Arabia--to modern era where it is practice from U.S. to Indonesia. Concentration on broad analytical categories in study of religion such as text, culture, history, and prophecy. Students transition to more complex analyses through chronological overview of Islamic history. Study also of case studies of Muslim global networks in arenas such as art, music, literature, and political thought. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 6.0
Units: 6.0
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Fall 2024 - Basic Info: Attendance and Participation: 30% Weekly Quizzes: 20% Response Papers: 25% (3 out of 4 prompts, 300-500 words each) Final Paper: 20% (6 pages comparing 2 academic articles' research methodologies) Co-Curricular Event: 5% Midterms/Finals: None Homework: Reading heavy. It can be up to 70-80+ pages a week of reading, and often bits from the reading appear on Quizzes. However, there were multiple weeks I didn't bother with the reading and still got full credit. Attendance: Discussion attendance required. Lecture attendance is as well, there are 5 "pop-writes" in Lecture throughout term that make up 5% of your grade. You have one excused absence, but beyond that it gets tricky. Other: There is a no-electronics policy for this class - not even for notes. ----- Overall it was a pretty easy class, there was definitely a learning curve between the Muslims in the class and the Non-Muslims, but even for the Muslims this class went into detail on a lot of aspects that are unfamiliar to many. Notably, this isn't a religious theory class: so don't expect in detail discussions about say, Quranic verses or the concept of Tawhid. More so, it describes the interaction of Islam with the world: for example, topics like Islam and Linguistics (Translation), the concept of Waqf and application of Islamic trust in history, etc. The work isn't too bad, it's definitely a lot of dense reading but most of it is skimable for those with some prior background on Islamic studies and history. The final paper is a bit tedious, but not unbelievably difficult. You get a lot of help and go through it step by step w/ your TA. The quizzes and weekly response papers are pretty light provided you at least have a general idea of the reading. The Co-Curricular event was pretty fun as well. Professor Yarbrough is a great lecturer. He explains everything very well and is very approachable. Mohsin Ali's lectures were pretty good as well. However, Professor Slyomoics' lectures were painfully boring, not well organized, and a pain to get through (Though I will say her body of work was pretty impressive). In terms of TA's, they aren't created equal and having a good relationship with your TA makes the class way easier or harder. I had Fadhila Hadjeris, who was extremely nice and a pretty light grader, albeit pretty useless in terms of asking for help or feedback. I heard Azeem Malik is a difficult grader, but pretty helpful, though I cannot speak from experience. Overall, Its not an amazing class but not a terrible one. It can be boring at time, some of the assignments are vague and the reading is heavy. It is a pretty easy A, though, and the Professors are pretty helpful and nice (besides Slyomovics). But all in all you learn a lot, even if you are a Muslim, and if you are a STEM student it's great to kill a lot of GEs.
Fall 2024 - Basic Info: Attendance and Participation: 30% Weekly Quizzes: 20% Response Papers: 25% (3 out of 4 prompts, 300-500 words each) Final Paper: 20% (6 pages comparing 2 academic articles' research methodologies) Co-Curricular Event: 5% Midterms/Finals: None Homework: Reading heavy. It can be up to 70-80+ pages a week of reading, and often bits from the reading appear on Quizzes. However, there were multiple weeks I didn't bother with the reading and still got full credit. Attendance: Discussion attendance required. Lecture attendance is as well, there are 5 "pop-writes" in Lecture throughout term that make up 5% of your grade. You have one excused absence, but beyond that it gets tricky. Other: There is a no-electronics policy for this class - not even for notes. ----- Overall it was a pretty easy class, there was definitely a learning curve between the Muslims in the class and the Non-Muslims, but even for the Muslims this class went into detail on a lot of aspects that are unfamiliar to many. Notably, this isn't a religious theory class: so don't expect in detail discussions about say, Quranic verses or the concept of Tawhid. More so, it describes the interaction of Islam with the world: for example, topics like Islam and Linguistics (Translation), the concept of Waqf and application of Islamic trust in history, etc. The work isn't too bad, it's definitely a lot of dense reading but most of it is skimable for those with some prior background on Islamic studies and history. The final paper is a bit tedious, but not unbelievably difficult. You get a lot of help and go through it step by step w/ your TA. The quizzes and weekly response papers are pretty light provided you at least have a general idea of the reading. The Co-Curricular event was pretty fun as well. Professor Yarbrough is a great lecturer. He explains everything very well and is very approachable. Mohsin Ali's lectures were pretty good as well. However, Professor Slyomoics' lectures were painfully boring, not well organized, and a pain to get through (Though I will say her body of work was pretty impressive). In terms of TA's, they aren't created equal and having a good relationship with your TA makes the class way easier or harder. I had Fadhila Hadjeris, who was extremely nice and a pretty light grader, albeit pretty useless in terms of asking for help or feedback. I heard Azeem Malik is a difficult grader, but pretty helpful, though I cannot speak from experience. Overall, Its not an amazing class but not a terrible one. It can be boring at time, some of the assignments are vague and the reading is heavy. It is a pretty easy A, though, and the Professors are pretty helpful and nice (besides Slyomovics). But all in all you learn a lot, even if you are a Muslim, and if you are a STEM student it's great to kill a lot of GEs.
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