Course Overview
This course is an introduction to Islam as a religion and a civilization. The course will be divided in three parts. The first part will examine the formation of Islamic civilization in the pre-modern era. We will start with the key stages of the life of Prophet Muhammad, the articulation of the fundamentals of Islam as a way of life and a worldview and a brief survey of Islamic history. The course subsequently turns to a brief investigation of the two sources of Islam (Qur’an and Sunna—the tradition of the prophet) and how the main Muslim intellectual traditions and religious factions approached and interpreted them. In this vein we will explore the main themes and development of Islamic law (fiqh), Philosophy, Theology (kalām) and Mysticism (Sufism) and the key differences between Sunni and Shiite Islam. Finally, the course will examine the Islamic conception of ethics and politics. In this vein, it will compare and contrast classical and contemporary perspectives on these central problems.
This course may consist of both Summer College – Online students and Syracuse University undergraduates.
Course Objectives
- To acquire basic knowledge of the emergence of Islam, its basic principles and doctrines and its formative history.
- To form a strong understanding of the development of Islamic thought and its main schools.
- To develop insight into key current issues and concerns about Islam as a religion and a way of life.
- To develop an ability to think and speak critically about current issues and concerns relevant to Islam and Muslims.
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: REL 165
Format: Online
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school junior, or senior status – or a 2022 high school graduate.
Credit: 3 Credits
Grading: A-F
Cost: $2,985
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – Online: Explore college life before stepping foot on campus! High school students can enroll in a college-level course, pursue their academic interests, and meet likeminded students in daily virtual events and activities.
“I absolutely loved my time at Syracuse University Summer College 2020 and truly mean it when I say that it changed my life.”
— Maggie S., Summer College – Online Student, 2020.
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Synchronous Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College -Online | 3-Week Session II: July 25 – August 11, 2022 | MTWTh 6PM – 8PM | 3 Credits | Open |
Course Requirements
Technology Requirements
- Laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and mouse
- Reliable internet access
- A space conducive to taking an online class (without distractions)
Required Supplies
Students should budget for required textbooks and supplies. A supply and textbook listing will be sent to students before the start of the program.
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
Students must attend live synchronous online sessions Monday – Thursday, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Eastern Time.
When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College virtual activities to meet and connect with other students across the world. Check out our Virtual Campus Experience page for more information!
Faculty Bios
Ahmet Celik – PhD Student, Critique, Image, and Politics, Religion
Ahmet Celik is an expected PhD candidate in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. His research interests, in general, includes comparative political thought, Islamic political and legal theory, Ancient political philosophies of Plato and Aristotle, early modern and modern political theories, and political theology. His dissertation project aims to explore and compare basic concepts and themes of political philosophy and legal theory in modern Europe and Islam. His research sits at the intersection of politics and law as it examines the concept of sovereignty and constitutionalism in modern state and Islamic governance. Moreover, his project aims to explore and understand how sovereign power is defined, identified, justified and limited within the context of Islam and modern political philosophy. His method, in order to find answers to these questions, will be tracing the roots of similarities and differences in political and legal systems in modern Europe and Islam by rigorously analyzing and critically engaging with the basic texts in early modern and modern political philosophy and Islamic political thought.