PHIL 2012 The Qur'an: An Introduction (WSTC)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 700163

Coordinator Kathy Gooch Opens in new window

Description This unit is an introduction, in English translation, to the most important text of Islam, the Qur'an, which Muslims regard as the primary source of Islam. Students will study: the origins of the Qur'an, its overall structure and content, major themes, approaches to its interpretation and its function in Muslim religious, social, cultural and political life. The themes and topics covered (such as God, ethics, women, state, inter-faith relations and violence) should assist students in understanding contemporary debates on the relevance of Islam today.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Religious Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Equivalent Subjects PHIL 2011 - The Qur’an An Introduction

Restrictions Students must be enrolled at Western Sydney University, The College. Students enrolled in extended diplomas must pass 40 credit points from the preparatory subjects listed in the program structure prior to enrolling in this University level subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. After successful completion of this Unit, students will be able to:
  2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the origins of the Qur�fan, its overall structure and content, major themes, approaches to its interpretation and its functions in Muslim religious and socio-political life
  3. Analyse prevailing debates on the relevance of the Qur�fan today
  4. Draw relationships between the Qur�fan and other key texts such as Hadiths of Islam

Subject Content

1. Introducing the Qur'an and its context
2. The nature and meaning of Revelation in the Qur'an and in the Islamic Tradition
3. The history of the Holy Text and what is meant by scripture in Islam
4. Major themes of the Qur'an
5. The Qur'an in daily life
6. The Qur'an and modern western scholarship
7. Languages and the Qur'an
8. The Qur'an and other religions
9. Islamic Law and the Qur'an
10. The Qur'an and interpretation
11. Approaches to interpretation: Mysticism, Theology and the Qur'an
12. Early modern and contemporary Qur'anic studies

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Short answer question 300 words 10 N Individual
Extended answer response 1,000 words 30 N Individual
Tutorial tasks / quiz 800 words 20 N Individual
Research essay 1,500 words 40 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Saeed, Abdullah. The Qur�fan: An Introduction. London: Routledge, 2008.

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject