Islam - Religion, Culture & Civilization

Pre-requisites: It's desirable, but not imperative, for students to have already taken a course on religion. Basic knowledge of world religions is expected, especially monotheistic religions.

Course objectives: To introduce students to the basics of Islam as a religion, culture, civilization and global community of believers; to become acquainted with a "living" religion in its contemporary context, including elements of islamic rituals and mysticism; understanding differences between Islam and Islamism (political activism).

Course description: This is an introductory course in Islam as a religion, culture, civilization and global community of followers. After reviewing historical, theological, political and legal aspects of Islam more attention will be given to the place and role of this religion and civilization in today's world. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the varieties of Islam in the Balkans, order of dervishes and their rituals and music. Practical component will include visiting belgrade's Bajrakli mosque and a "virtual" tour of Belgrade as an oriental village during the 16th to 19th century.

Learning Outcomes: Understanding of the place and role of Islam in the Balkans, in a global context as well as a history of western civilizations.

Literature/Reading:

• Kur’an s prevodom, prev. Besim Korkut, Medina, 1412.h.
• Oksfordska istorija islama, prir. Dž. Espozito, Klio, Beograd, 2002.
• Espozito, Džon, Islamska pretnja – mit ili stvarnost?, Prosveta, Beograd, 1994
• Hiti, Filip, Istorija Arapa, Veselin Masleša, Sarajevo, 1967 (i docnija izdanja)
• Vukomanović Milan, Religija, Zavod za udžbenike i nastavna sredstva, Beograd, 2004.
• Sufizam, prir. Darko Tanasković i Ivan Šop, Prosveta, Beograd, 1981.
• Luis Bernard, Muslimansko otkriće Evrope, Avangarda, Beograd, 2004.
• Enciklopedija živih religija (izabrane odrednice), Nolit, Beograd, 1992. ili 2004.
• Ruže, Žilber, »Muzika i trans kod Arapa« u Muzika i trans, IK Zorana Stojanovića, Novi Sad, 1994.
• Božović, Rade i Vojislav Simić, Pojmovnik islama, Narodna knjiga, Beograd, 2003
• Hiti Filip, Tvorci arapske istorije, Utopija, Beograd, 2004
• Kincler, Klaus, Verski fundamentalizam, Clio, Beograd, 2002
• Luis Bernard, Kriza islama, Čarobna knjiga, Beograd, 2004
• Meyerovitch, Eva de Vitray, Antologija sufijskih tekstova, Naprijed, Zagreb, 1988
• Nikolson, Rejnold, Sufizam: mistici islama, Babun, Beograd, 2004
• Ruthven Malise, Islam, Šahinpašić, Sarajevo, 2003
• Said, Edvard, Orijentalizam, XX vek, Beograd, 2000
• Ahmed, Akbar, Islam Today, I.B. Tauris, London, New York, 2001.