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1 Course Approval Form For approval of new courses and deletions or modifications to an existing course. registrar.gmu.edu/facultystaff/curriculum Action Requested: Course Level: X Create new course Delete existing course Undergraduate Modify existing course (check all that apply) X Graduate Title Credits Repeat Status Grade Type Prereq/coreq Schedule Type Restrictions Other: College/School: CHSS Department: Religious Studies Submitted by: Maria M. Dakake Ext: mdakakem@gmu.edu Subject Code: RELI Number: 645 Effective Term: X Fall (Do not list multiple codes or numbers. Each course proposal must Spring Year 2014 have a separate form.) Summer Title: Current Banner (30 characters max including spaces) New Muslim Comparative Theologies: Sunni-Shi`i Religious Thought Credits: (check one) X Fixed 3 or Repeat Status: X Not Repeatable (NR) Variable to (check one) Repeatable within degree (RD) Repeatable within term (RT) Maximum credits allowed: 3 Grade Mode: (check one) X Regular (A, B, C, etc.) Schedule Type Lecture (LEC) Independent Study (IND) Satisfactory/No Credit Code(s): Lab (LAB) X Seminar (SEM) Special (A, B C, etc. +IP) (check all that Recitation (RCT) Studio (STU) apply) Internship (INT) Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): Instructional Mode: n/a n/a X 100% face-to-face Hybrid: 50% electronically delivered 100% electronically delivered Special Instructions: (list restrictions for major, college, or degree;hard-coding; etc.) Are there equivalent course(s)? Yes X No If yes, please list Catalog Copy for NEW Courses Only (Consult University Catalog for models) Description (No more than 60 words, use verb phrases and present tense) Notes (List additional information for the course) Compares and analyzes Sunni and Shi`ite theologies, with particular attention to the historical development of Muslim creed in the context of social and political conditions, and the essential differences between the Sunni and Shi`ite schools of thought. Indicate number of contact hours: Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week: Hours of Lab or Studio: When Offered: (check all that apply) Fall Summer Spring Approval Signatures Department Approval Date College/School Approval Date

2 If this course includes subject matter currently dealt with by any other units, the originating department must circulate this proposal for review by those units and obtain the necessary signatures prior to submission. Failure to do so will delay action on this proposal. Unit Name Unit Approval Name Unit Approver s Signature Date For Graduate Courses Only Graduate Council Member Provost Office Graduate Council Approval Date For Registrar Office s Use Only: Banner Catalog revised 2/2/10

3 RELI 645: MUSLIM COMPARATIVE THEOLOGIES: SUNNI-SHI I DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT Instructor: Abdulaziz Sachedina COURSE DESCRIPTION The seminar will undertake to study the comparative Sunni and Shi ite theologies ( ilm al-kalam) to underscore a historical development of Muslim creed in the context of social and political condtions. The course will concentrate on the development of Muslim Theology in general and the Sunni and Shi ite creeds in particular. It will primarily be a comnparative theological study, and secondarily Sunni-Shi i doctrinal analysis. The major concern will be the development of creeds in Islam, the gradual process of formulating Principles of Religion (usul al-din), and their crystallization in the form of dogmas, with theological complexities. The essential difference between the Sunni and Shi ite schools of thought begins in their emphasis on the fundamentality of leadership for the continuation of the prophetic mission. This difference also leads to their classification of the founding principles of Islam. While the Sunnites have insisted on a communal consensus regarding the centrality the community s adherence to the Tradition for the continuation of the mission, the Shi ites have regarded the ongoing need for authoritative guidance following the Prophethood, that is, the Imamate on rational-scriptural grounds. The Sunnites have rejected the latter necessity on rational grounds. There is, however, agreement among all Muslims that three doctrines constitute the faith of Islam: Unity of God, Prophethood of Muhammad, and the Final Day of Judgment. The Shi ites add to these three two other doctrines: the Justice of God and the Imamate of the rightful successors of the Prophet. The Shi`a-Sunni differences have also impacted the development of juridical principles and ethical epistemologies based on the relationship between reason and revelation. COURSE OBJECTIVES (i) (ii). (iii). To introduce the student to the history of Islamic theology, To direct the student to form a relatively complete picture of Muslim creed by discussing the Sunni-Shi ite doctrinal formulations, and, To encourage the student to undertake a comparative study of Sunni-Shi ite theologies. READINGS (a) A. J. Wensinck, The Muslim Creed (b) W. M. Watt, The Formative Period of Islamic Thought (c) H. A. Wolfson, The Philosophy of Kalam (d) G. F. Hourani, Islamic Rationalism (e) I. Goldziher, Muslim Studies, Vols. II (f) Wilferd Madelung, Succession to Muhammad (g) E. L. Ormsby, Theodicy in Islamic Thought (f) Sachiko Murata, The Tao of Islam

4 METHODOLOGY Our approach to the study of Muslim theology is to take a dogmatic concept and trace its evolution from a simple utterance attributed to a revelationary authority to its formulation as a religious dogma. We believe that historical events played a significant part in the formulation and ultimate crystallization of a doctrine. For instance, the doctrine of the religious leadership, the Caliphate/Imamate in Muslim creed clearly shows this evolution: In the beginning it formed part of the simple, exaggerated belief expressed in pious terms of traditions attributed to the Prophet, and only gradually under the impact of historical events, became part of the dogmatic speculations of later scholars. In order to trace the historical background of the doctrinal study the class will examine Watt's: The Formative Period and Goldziher's Muslim Studies. Wolfson's, Philosophy of Kalam will afford the profound study of speculative theology, in addition to his sections on comparative study of Christian-Jewish-Muslim speculative/dialectical theologies. THE STRUCTURE There will be twelve seminar sessions, each opening with a presentation based on one of the primary required readings. The presentation will be followed by a response from one or a team of two or three seminarians. The lecture summing up all the issues undertaken in the discussion, in addition to further elucidation of the subject, will follow to allow the instructor to provide clarity and guidance in pursuing the subject in further research. SEMINAR TOPICS: 1. Usul al-din and Furu al-din: The principles of Religion and the Branches of Religion. The general background to the development of systematic theology. The early controversies surrounding Usul. 2. From `Aqida (creedal formulation) to Usul al-din, the dogmatic theology according to the early schools of Muslim thought. 3. The usul al-islam and usul al-iman and their implications for the Sunni-Shi`i religious thought. Iman, islam, and other categories to describe belief. 4. Al-Tawhid: The Unity of God. Corollaries of this fundamental belief: Divine Attributes, Divine Will, Intention, Speech, the Qur'an. 5. Al-`Adl: The Justice of God. Corollaries of this principle: Good and Evil; human freewill and Divine predetermination; values and their ethical classification; Natural Law.

5 6. Al-Nubuwwa: The Necessity of Religious Institute of Guidance. The doctrines of: lutf (divine grace), taklif (imposition of a religious-moral obligation), `isma (infallibility or "divine protection") of the Prophets. 7. Al-Imama wa al-khilafa: The Institution of Religious Leadership of the Umma. Is it the continuation of the prophetic position or part of the prophetic function? Is infallibility a prerequisite in religious leadership? 8. Al-Qiyama: The Final Day of Judgement. Muslim eschatology and related beliefs about death, resurrection, intercession, and the final reward and punishment, the eternal bliss or damnation. 9. Comparative aspects of Islamic Theology. COURSE REQUIREMENTS i. Regular Attendance ii. Weekly response papers (25%) iii. Two book reviews (30%) iv. Final Research Paper (45%) UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND RESOURCES ACADEMIC INTEGRITY GMU is an Honor Code university; please see the University Catalog for a full description of the code and the honor committee process. The principle of academic integrity is taken very seriously and violations are treated gravely. What does academic integrity mean in this course? Essentially this: when you are responsible for a task, you will perform that task. When you rely on someone else s work in an aspect of the performance of that task, you will give full credit in the proper, accepted form. Another aspect of academic integrity is the free play of ideas. Vigorous discussion and debate are encouraged in this course, with the firm expectation that all aspects of the class will be conducted with civility and respect for differing ideas, perspectives, and traditions. When in doubt (of any kind) please ask for guidance and clarification. GMU ACCOUNTS Students must use their Mason accounts either the existing MEMO system or a new MASONLIVE account to receive important University information, including messages related to this class. See for more information. OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS.

6 OTHER USEFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES: WRITING CENTER: A114 Robinson Hall; (703) ; UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Ask a Librarian COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS): (703) ; UNIVERSITY POLICIES The University Catalog, is the central resource for university policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in university academic affairs. Other policies are available at All members of the university community are responsible for knowing and following established policies.