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David R. Vishanoff, Associate Professor, Religious Studies Program, University of Oklahoma
731 Elm Ave., Robertson 146, Norman, OK  73019     (405) 325-1150    vishanoff at ou dot edu
Curriculum vitae

Book on Islamic Hermeneutics. My book The Formation of Islamic Hermeneutics: How Sunni Legal Theorists Imagined a Revealed Law is available from Eisenbraun's (344 pages, cloth, $46.00, ISBN 9780940490314). I have created a color timeline that maps out the individuals and movements studied in the book, on a continuum from those whose hermeneutic emphasizes the clarity of language to those who emphasize its ambiguity.

Draft essay on my approach to Islamic studies: Sacrificial Listening: Christians, Muslims, and the Secular University.

Course web sites. These sites include notes documenting each class discussion. Each site constitutes a record of the deliberations and conclusions of a particular group of students. Only the current or most recent iteration of each class is available online.

• The Qur'an (Fall 2013) (Spring 2012; Spring 2011; Fall 2009; Fall 2008; Fall 2007; Fall 2006; Spring 2005)
• Islamic Theology (Fall 2013) (Fall 2011, Spring 2010, Spring 2009; Spring 2008; Spring 2006; Spring 2005)
• Islamic Law (Focus on Gender) (Spring 2014) (Spring 2012; Spring 2011; Fall 2009; Fall 2008; Spring 2007; Spring 2006)
• Qur'anic Hermeneutics (Spring 2013)
• Foundational Readings in the Discipline of Islamic Studies (Fall 2005)
• Introduction to Islam (Spring 2008) (Fall 2006; Fall 2005)
• Muslim-Christian Encounters - Capstone (Spring 2007)
• Muslim-Christian Encounters (future course under development)
• Qur'an and Bible (future short course under development)
• Jesus in the World's Religions (Spring 2014)
• Comparative Sacred Texts (Spring 2010) (Fall 2007)
• Introduction to Religious Studies (Fall 2014) (Fall 2011; Spring 2009; Spring 2006; Fall 2005)

Translations of Islamic texts. Most of these translations are short excerpts from classical Islamic works, prepared on the spur of the moment for instructional use, and hence not really adequate for scholarly citation.  They are made available here as html and/or Microsoft Word files, for non-commercial personal or instructional use. 

• On the Qur'an and its interpretation
  • A handbook of legal hermeneutics (html):  Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni, Kitab al-waraqat fi usul al-fiqh (complete, with my commentary at foot of page; also without commentary).
  • How the Qur'an reveals the law (html):  Selection on bayan from al-Shafi`i, al-Risala.
  • The Qur'an and its relationship to Hadith (Word):  Selections from Manna` al-Qattan, Mabahith fi `ulum al-qur'an.
  • The Sunna's relationship to the Qur'an (Word):  Selections from al-Shatibi, al-Muwafaqat.
  • Gender-specific language in revelation (html):  Selection from Ibn Hazm, al-Ihkam, on masculine imperatives.
  • Mu`tazilite arguments for the created nature of the Qur'an (html) (Word):  Selections from `Abd al-Jabbar < Mankdim, Sharh al-Usul al-Khamsa.
• Interactions with non-Muslims
  • A Mu`tazilite defense of abrogation "against the Jews" (Word):  Selection from [Abu Rashid al-Nisaburi?], Ziyadat sharh al-usul.
  • A Muslim rewriting of Psalm 2 (Word, with parallel Biblical text):  From Florence ms 267, ed. Krarup.