Muslim Studies is a brand-new course and is hosted by the Centre for Catholic Education, Research and Religious Literacy, as part of its outreach programme in developing faith literacy.
It offers an exciting opportunity to study a religion that roughly one in four persons in the world adheres to in varying ways.
The course in Muslim Studies assumes little or no knowledge of Islam and will explore topics at an introductory level.
It will seek to explore historical and socio-cultural paths of religious teachings and to bring contemporary and practical relevance to them, whilst also keeping an eye on Catholic or Christian touchpoints or needs concerning Islam or Muslims.
Dates and times
In this introductory year, we are offering two date options.
The Wednesday evening course will run, between 7-8.30pm, over eight sessions on:
- Wednesday 24th April 2024
- Wednesday 1st May 2024
- Wednesday 8th May 2024
- Wednesday 15th May 2024
- Wednesday 22nd May 2024
- Wednesday 5th June 2024
- Wednesday 12th June 2024
- Wednesday 19th June 2024.
Alternatively, weekend course will run over two full-day sessions from 9.30am-4.30pm on:
- Saturday 8th June 2024
- Sunday 9th June 2024.
Location
This course will take place on our main campus, Twickenham. While the face-to face taught sessions are preferable the course will also be delivered online.
Price
The full course cost is £175.
St Mary's University staff and students can receive a 10% discount. Please use the booking link on the Discounted short courses page (St Mary's login required).
Content
The course will introduce topics that address beliefs and practices, the inner and outer expressions of being Muslim, and all-important realities concerning areas such as diversity within institutions and identity.
Students will benefit from a salient treatment of the essentials of these topics, bringing coherence and practical relevance to their learning. This is not intended as a ‘heavy’ course although our exploration will incorporate sprinklings of theological, doctrinal, historical, societal, spiritual, cultural, and contemporary teachings, and issues concerning Muslims.
There will be time for questions and reflection and the course will cover a wide range of areas.
- Allah. The nature of God - the Islamic concepts of Tawhid, Ibadah, and Shirk.
- Articles of Faith (Iman). The articles of the Islamic faith believed to be conveyed by the Archangel Gabriel.
- Pillars of Religious Practice. The spiritual, personal and communal aspects of the essential religious rituals that form the 'pillars' of Islamic religiosity.
- Qur’an. 'The Recital’ and its compilation - what does it teach? How do Muslims position this scripture with the Bible?
- Prophet Muhammad. Sirah (life story), position and significance of the most important name or person associated with Islam. How do Muslims position Muhammad with Jesus?
- Sharia. Religious law, the sources of law, Maqasid-as-Sharia (the purposive aim), and Fiqh.
- Internal divisions. Sectarian divisions, development of schools of legal thought, movements or socio-religious trends, and the contemporary British context.
- British Muslims, society, and culture. British Muslim history, contemporary make-up, institutions, and social issues or challenges. Muslim cultural practices.
There will also be an open session that is question led.
Requirements
This course is designed for anyone who wishes to improve their faith literacy, particularly in relation to Islam.
However, it is recommended that learners should have achieved a level of education equivalent to five GCSEs at grades A*- C prior to commencing the course. Exemptions may be made for adult returners with relevant experience.
Award
Successful students will receive a certificate of attendance.
Select a course
Please select which course you would like to book on to:
For more information about this course please contact the Short Courses team: