Wilmette Institute course on the Qur'an

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Posted by Jonah on November 09, 2000 at 01:20:43:

Wilmette Institute
 Studies in the Bahá'í Faith Program
World Religions for Deepening and Dialogue Course Series

Introduction to The Qur'án


For more information about this course, visit The Wilmette Institute website. To register for a course, visit wilmetteinstitute.org/applications.

TOPIC: The Qur'án is the divine revelation on which the religion of Islam is based. The Bahá'í sacred writings are filled with quotations from it and allusions to it, and many words used by the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá have quranic resonances. Its study by Bahá'ís is emphasized by Shoghi Effendi: "They must. . .approach reverently and with a mind purged from preconceived ideas the study of the Qur'án which, apart from the sacred scriptures of the Bábí and Bahá'í Revelations, constitutes the only Book which can be regarded " (ADJ 49). "The Guardian would certainly advise, and even urge the friends to make a thorough study of the Qur'án, as the knowledge of this sacred Scripture is absolutely indispensable for every believer who wishes to adequately understand and intelligently read, the writings of Bahá'u'lláh" Directives of the Guardian, p. 63). The course will examine the entire text of the Qur'án and Islamic and Bahá'í commentaries on its meaning. Technical terms will be explained in order to make the text accessible to those who do not know Arabic.

DATES: December 1, 2000, to February 28, 2001

TEXTS: The Qur'án and various commentaries and supplemental readings assigned by the Institute.

FACULTY:
    Dr. Iraj Ayman
    Dr. Brian Miller
    Ms. Farnaz Ma'sumian
    Dr. Moojan Momen
    Dr. Robert Stockman

COST: $150
A twenty percent discount is available when registering as part of a local group of three or more (who pledge to meet together semimonthly to study the texts) or to senior citizens (65 and older) or to those whose service to the Faith engenders financial hardship. Larger discounts are available for even larger groups who plan to study the course together. Financial aid is also available.

There are no residential requirements, for the course is conducted by correspondence and over the internet. The Institute may be able to assist students to obtain college credit.

The course may be taken at the introductory level (a basic course that will help students teach the Faith more effectively), the intermediate level (for more in-depth study) or the advanced level (equivalent to graduate-level study).

WORK EXPECTATIONS: The course will take five to ten hours of work each week and will involve:
  1. Reading and discussion. The course is divided into a series of units, each of which involves reading part of the Qur'án and discussing it with fellow students, either by e-mail (the course will have an e-mail listserver called "RECITE") or by voluntary participation in conference calls. Because of the speed and efficiency of e-mail, students are urged to get it before taking the course.

  2. Assistance by a mentor/advisor, who reviews and comments on all homework you do and answers your questions.

  3. For those who are part of local study groups, discussion assignments may be provided.

  4. Access to the course's password-protected web site, which includes additional study material and completed sample homework assignments.

  5. Assistance with planning a presentation (fireside, deepening, or local study class) on the Qur'án and with a final written project.

GRADING OPTIONS: The course is usually taken pass/fail with review and comments about assignments by your mentor. It may be taken for a grade (A, B, C, D, F)

Wilmette Institute
536 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, IL 60091-2849
877-WILMETTE (945-6388)(toll-free voice and fax)
info@wilmetteinstitute.org (e-mail)
http://wilmetteinstitute.org (web site)





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