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Rethinking Islamic Studies Workshop on "Teaching Islamic Studies: Key Topics and Best Practices" PDF-NOTE: Internet Explorer Users, right click the PDF Icon and choose [save target as] if you are experiencing problems with clicking. Print

Friday, November 22, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM

Danielle Abraham, Harvard University, and Omid Safi, University of North Carolina, Presiding

For 2013, the Rethinking Islamic Studies Workshop will explore best practices for teaching undergraduates foundational topics in Islamic studies — the Qur'an, gender, American Islam, and visual/literary culture.

Our focus will be pedagogical, exploring the practical aspects involved in enhancing student learning and critical thinking regarding essential topics in the study of Islam. How can students best grasp the complexity of multiple engagements with the Qur’anic text — as scripture, as literary inspiration, and as performance? In teaching gender issues, what conceptual tools do students need to understand the profound variety of gendered lives? How can we facilitate students’ exploration of contested conversations about gender inequality across cultures without reinforcing stereotypes of "oppressed Muslim women"? What historical and ethnographic material provokes students to develop an interpretive frame to understand American Islam as simultaneously Islamic and distinctly American? What are effective ways to introduce students to the visual and literary cultures of Islam that can build their analysis of the role that creative expression and aesthetics plays in the ongoing social formation of Islam?

The format will consist of presentations by experienced instructors combined with interactive small group discussion. Our aim is to provide an opportunity for reflection on effective teaching and student-centered learning. The workshop is intended both for graduate students and professors of Islamic studies, as well as scholars from other fields in religious studies who are looking to incorporate more Islam material in their courses.

The cost for the workshop is $30, which includes the entire afternoon of sessions and a coffee break. Registration is limited to the first 60 participants. To sign up for the workshop, you may select it during the online Annual Meetings registration process, or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax in this form to +1-404-935-5321 for those that have already completed registration.
 

This website contains archived issues of Religious Studies News published online from March 2010 to May 2013, and PDF versions of print editions published from Winter 2001 to October 2009.

This site also contains archived issues of Spotlight on Teaching (May 1999 to May 2013) and Spotlight on Theological Education (March 2007 to March 2013).

For current issues of RSN, beginning with the October 2013 issue, please see here.


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