Download Islamic Studies

Islamic Studies
(offered by the Department of Religious Studies and Arabic)
Telephone number 012 429 6029
Introduction
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Diplomats, comparative religious scholars, social workers, multimedia presenters, psychologists, historians, political scientists/politicians, sociologists,
anthropologists, legal experts and economists whose fields of specialisation bear some relevance to this discipline/study of Muslims shall find Islamic Studies
very beneficial. They may select it as a preliminary study to any other relevant module. Students interested in a more detailed study of Islam as well as teachers
of this discipline at schools and other tertiary institutions are strongly advised to major in Islamic Studies.
General Information
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Students are advised to purchase their prescribed books and complete the preliminary reading of material as soon as possible after registration.
Credit for a degree is granted for:
(i)
either ICS101 and 102 or ISL100
(ii)
either ICS302 and 305 or ICS306
Transitional Arrangements
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Study unit
passed
Modules which
may not be taken
Outstanding modules
ISL100
ICS101, 102
–
ISL201
—
ICS201, 202, 203
ISL202
ICS201
ICS202, 203
ISL301
ICS201
ICS301, 303
ISL302
ICS301
ICS303
ISL303
—
ICS301, 303
ISL304
–
ICS301, 303
Students who have passed ICS3029 or ICS305C may not register for ICS306D.
Students who have passed ICSLITS, ICSSHAS or ICSPTMQ may not register for ICSCSPF.
Students who have passed REARIS5 may not register for HRS415U.
Islamic Studies as a Major Subject
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Compulsory modules for a major subject combination:
First level:
ICS101, 102
Second level: ICS201, 202, 203
Third level: ICS301, 303 and any TWO of RST222, 223, 324, 328
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Syllabus
NB
All modules in this subject are YEAR MODULES.
FIRST-LEVEL MODULES
ICS101X
An introduction to Islam*
Purpose: to provide a grounded overview of Islam’s sacred sources, faith and practices, and to enable students to be culturally sensitive to Islamic
societies.
ICS102Y
Early history of Islam: 6th and 9th centuries*
Purpose: to present a descriptive background to pre-Islamic Arabia and early Islamic history, as well as a biography of the Prophet of Islam.
SECOND-LEVEL MODULES
Prerequisite: ICS101
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ICS2014
Foundation sources of Islam*
Purpose: to acquire a deeper understanding of Islam’s sacred sources (Qur’an, Hadith) and related sources (Tafsir and Shari’ah).
ICS2025
Sociocultural life, ethics and education in Islam
Purpose: to attain an introductory knowledge of sociocultural life, Islamic ethics and education in Islamic societies.
ICS2036
Islamic politics and economics*
Purpose: to make it possible for students to grasp the basic principles of Islamic politics and contemporary strategies of Islamic economics, and their
application in society.
THIRD-LEVEL MODULES
Prerequisite: ICS101
ICS3018
Islamic philosophy, theology and mysticism
Purpose: to enable students to reflect and explore key concepts in Islamic philosophy and mysticism in order to develop the self and societies.
ICS303A
Islamic law and jurisprudence
Purpose: to gain insight into the sources of Islamic law, its development and current status.
HONOUR’S LEVEL
The degree comprises five modules, the four modules below as well as one from Religious Studies honour’s modules.
ICSQTCH
Qur’anic sciences*
Syllabus: This paper explores the development and status of Qur’anic sciences, with a keen focus on contemporary Qur’anic sciences. The interfact
between them and present social and human sciences is also examined.
ICSHCTX
Hadith literature and criticism*
Syllabus: Metatextual issues are examined, such as criteria for authenticating Prophetic literature and special focus is given to women’s role in the
development of this genre, as well as to the reasons for the differences evident in the corpus materials available.
ICSCSPF
Contemporary Islam*
Purpose: to allow students to specialise in one of the following: Contemporary Islam, Shari’ah and Islamic jurisprudence, or Philosophy, theology and
mysticism. In Contemporary Islam the focus will be on Islam and the state. Shari’ah an Islamic jurisprudence will give a critical overview of different
schools of law and comparisons are made with contemporary, secular law in domains such as marriage, economics and human rights. In philosophy,
theology and mysticism the focus will be on the challenges in these disciplines in the past and present.
HRS415U
Research methodologies in religion*
Purpose: This paper consists of three parts, any of which might be taken: qualitative methodology, hermeneutics and methodology in Arabic and Islamic
Studies. Students will choose qualitative methodology with a view to empirical research on religion. Hermeneutics will draw on reading strategies
existing in various religions and on a variety of contemporary theorists and philosophers of language (reading, writing) with a view to the reading and
interpretation of religious documents. Students in Arabic and Islamic Studies will choose the third option on Arab and Islamic cultures, linguistic studies,
and historiography.
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