The Wisdom of Islam – REL 512

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines Islam as one of the world’s universal wisdom traditions.Students will look at Islam from the inside, guided by the instructor, who is apracticing Muslim and a Sufi teacher. The course will help students understandthe deep appeal of the world’s most controversial and also fastest growing religion. Topics covered will include the life of the Prophet, the Qur’an, the FivePillars of Islam, Islamic history, major Muslim thinkers, the poet Rumi, otherSufi mystics, and developments in Islam today.

COURSE SESSIONS AND TOPICS

Session 1 |  Introduction to Islam
Session 2 |  Inner Islam: Sufi Mystical Tradition
Session 3 |  The Five Pillars of Islam
Session 4 |  The Qur’an
Session 5 |  The Prophet Muhammad: His Life & Teachings
Session 6 |  Islamic Virtues: Faith, Surrender, Service,Right Actions, Unity
Session 7 |  Sufi Psychology 1: Heart, Self, and Soul
Session 8 |  Sufi Psychology 2: Practical Mysticism; the Role ofthe Teacher
Session 9 |  Sufi Philosophy & Poetry: Ibn Arabi, Abdul Qadir Gaylani,and Rumi
Session 10 |  Islam Today: Modern Islamic Movements; Women inIslam, Terrorism

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Outcome 1:  Students will be able to discuss in writing the history of Islam,
in particular the founding of Islam by Muhammad (pbuh) and Islam today.

Outcome 2:  Students will be able to describe and discuss the Five Pillars of Islam.

Outcome 3:  Students will be able to identify the goals of Sufism
and describe the three Sufi concepts of Heart, Self, and Soul.

PROFESSOR

Robert Frager, Ph.D. – Social Psychology, Harvard University. Professor ofPsychology and Chair, Spiritual Guidance Program, Institute of TranspersonalPsychology. Author of, “Personality and Personal Growth,” “Who Am I? PersonalityTypes for Self-Discovery,” “Heart, Self, and Soul,” and other works on psychology,Sufism and Islam.