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ISL454 Women in Islam and Islamic Cultures (8)

Abstract

This subject will address critically the modern paradigms concerning women and gender roles within contemporary society. Developing arguments within a critical framework of an Islamic set of paradigms and values, it will take a fresh look at women in Islam by examining the status and role of women in scripture, exploring heroines in the mystic world, and discussing critically the authentic status of Muslim women in Islamic societies. The subject will address critically the conditions of women in both contemporary Islamic and non-Islamic cultures. In addition, Muslim feminists’ viewpoints and arguments will also be considered within this subject.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
OnlineUnited Theological College
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: ISL454
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLCentre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation

Enrolment restrictions

Incompatible subject(s)Related subject(s)
ISL355 ISL355 Paired Subject

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to assess critically women's status in Islam
  • be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of contemporary Muslim women's experience in Islam
  • be able to discern critically the gender factor in social and interpersonal space for men and women
  • be able to develop a critical approach to patriarchal as well as counter-patriarchal discourses regarding women's status in Islam
  • be able to understand critically non-Islamic factors contributing to women's status in Islamic cultures and societies
  • be able to analyse critically widely discussed issues of inheritance, divorce, hijab (veil) and polygamy in Islamic societies
  • be able to articulate critically contemporary Muslim women's experience in social and religious activism
  • be able to research interdisciplinary topics and apply critical reasoning while presenting arguments in oral and written (essay) forms

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Introduction to the topic, terminology and paradigm shift
  • Women in non-Islamic civilisations, Abrahamic religions and Islam
  • Women's roles and responsibilities according to the Qur'an
  • Women around Prophet Muhammad
  • Women in the Medieval Age
  • Women and nation building
  • Women and jurisprudence
  • Women, reform and ijtihad (new legal ruling)
  • Rise of feminism in the Islamic cultures and communities
  • Women in the contemporary Islamic and Western societies
  • Muslim women in the West

Residential School

This subject contains a optional 2 day residential school. The purpose of the residential school is to provide an opportunity for exploration of the coursework covered and assessment of student learning. In addition to content review, this part of the course aims to facilitate an interactive session between the teaching academics, students and sections of the Islamic community.

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The information contained in the 2017 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 25 August 2017. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.