Schedule of Classes

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
(Dates or headings in italics indicate assignments have not yet been finalized.)
I NTRODUCTION Suras: All periods. Approaches: Overview of content and setting; definition of intellectual projects.
	T 8/25	Introduction to the class
	Th 8/27	Wakeup call
	T 9/1	Remember the prophets of the past
	Th 9/3	The life of the new community
SIGNS Suras: Early Meccan. Approaches: Form, performance, structure, and inner texture of Qur’anic language.
	T 9/8	The Prophet and his opponents
	Th 9/10	Signs of coming judgment
	T 9/15	NO CLASS (instructor at conference) - work on commentary
	Th 9/17	NO CLASS (instructor at conference) - but INITIAL COMMENTARY DUE any time today - submit on D2L, under this class, in the Dropbox.
	T 9/22	The function of oaths and signs
	Th 9/24	The mysterious letters
STORIES OF PROPHETS Suras: Middle Meccan and some later suras. Approaches: Structural analysis; comparison with other Near Eastern sacred narratives; classical Muslim exegesis.
	T 9/29	The Prophetic pattern
	Th 10/1	Adam
	T 10/6	Abraham
	Th 10/8	Joseph
	T 10/13	Moses
	Th 10/15	Jesus and Mary - but this turned into a discussion of how different approaches to texts reflect different understandings of the nature of truth. Very fun, and important. We'll get to Jesus next time.
	T 10/20	Jesus and Mary - for real this time. Be sure to reread and think again about the parts of the readings you found most important, so that you are prepared to cite specific passages in class.
THE PROPHET'S LIFE Suras: Late Meccan and early Medinan. Approaches: Traditional Qur’anic exegesis; the occasions of revelation.
	Th 10/22	Sura 3: Our analysis
	T 10/27	Sura 3: Commentary of the Two Jalals
	Th 10/29	Sura 3: Other commentaries
	T 11/3	The Prophet's changing career
THEOLOGY Suras: Selections from all periods. Approaches: Classical schools of Qur’anic exegesis (rationalist, traditionalist, mystical).
	Th 11/5	Theology in the Qur'an
	T 11/10	Mainstream theological commentary
	Th 11/12	Philosophical, mystical, and Shi`ite exegesis
LAW Suras: Later Medinan. Approaches: Classical and modern legal interpretation.
	T 11/17	Sura 4: a legal sura?
	Th 11/19	Classical interpretation of sura 4
	T 11/24	Classical Legal and Modern Mystical Interpretations of 4:34
	THANKSGIVING BREAK
CONCLUSIONS Approaches: Our questions about the nature of the Qur'an and how to interpret it.
	T 12/1	Approaches to the Qur'an
	Th 12/3	FINAL COMMENTARY DUE. Reports on final commentaries
	T 12/8	What is the Qur'an?
	Th 12/10	Our questions about the nature and meaning of the Qur'an Analysis of the class
	M 12/14 4:30-6:30 pm	FINAL EXAM

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