Religion
Description
The purpose of the weekly assignment is three-fold: 1. To introduce you to the primary concepts, terms and information of the week’s theme 2. To analyze and probe into the issues raised and authors’ viewpoints 3. To engage in discussion and analysis of the readings with other students To this end, students must first post a “Reflection” on the assigned readings (in Blackboard under Reflections) every Tuesday by midnight. For example, the Reflection due on Tuesday February 16th in will cover the Readings listed under Week 2. The Reflection must demonstrate that you have read at least 80% of readings assigned for that week. Discussion of main textbook is mandatory to receive a grade. Use the following format for the Reflections minimum 400 words 1. First, identify an overarching theme or question that would tie together the assigned materials 2. Second, indicate how each (or several) of the assigned readings & videos relate to the theme 3. Third, find two key quotes in any readings to compare, analyze and discuss in more detail The following is merely an example but you will naturally develop your own style: Summary / Synopsis: The readings addressed different aspects of the history and development of Islamic philosophy. Murray illustrated how Greek thought influenced Ibn al-Farabi. Ahmed argued that Maimonides drew many concepts from his contemporary, the Andalusian Arab philosopher, Ibn al-Rushd (Averroes). Williams criticized Western misrepresentations of Ibn Sina’s Book on Healing. Analysis/Discussion: One insight from the readings is that it is important to examine how our biases influence the way we approach the works written centuries ago in different cultural and social contexts. As William states, “Scholars have unfairly applied modern scientific discourse to criticize Ibn Sina’s connection between the body and soul.” (25) Another criticism is that many Western scholars have represented Islamic philosophers as merely imitating Greek thought. Murray challenges this by showing how “al-Farabi questioned Aristotle’s premises” (p. 13). Etc.
