Description: An introductory study of IslamBbeliefs, history and major expressions, including current events and relationship to Christianity.

Goals: The instructor=s goals are to:

$ Present Islam fairly and objectively, and as seen from various perspectives.

$ Prepare RBC students for knowledgeable discussion, discernment and Christian witness.

Content: This class will be run seminar style, and requires considerable reading, outside research and class participation.

$ Roughly 33 days of class which will involve guided discussion and student reporting (although there will be instructor input, do not expect a strong course of lectures)

$ Reading two class texts: A Muslim=s Heart by Edward Hoskins and Islam: the Straight Path by John Esposito.

$ Reading current events and information about one Muslim country, reporting weekly to the class, and keeping a notebook to be handed in at the end of the semester. (See below)

$ Two exams.

Grading:

Midterm exam 25%

Final exam 25%

Notebook 25%

Participation 25%

Exams will be based on the class texts.

All grading:

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

Notebook:

The notebook will consist of principal weekly news stories about religion from a Muslim country. It will consist of a printout of the news story and roughly one page of student commentary as a Christian reflecting on the story.

Muslim countries under direct consideration:

Algeria

Bangladesh

Egypt

Indonesia

Iran

Pakistan

Saudi Arabia

Sudan

Syria

Turkey

Others, if needed:

Iraq

Lebanon

Palestinian Nat. Authority

This class and the mission of RBC.

Rosedale Bible College is an evangelical junior Bible college in the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition that equips students to grow spiritually and academically and to serve effectively in the church and society.

Evangelical Junior Bible College: Introduction to Islam will be taught at the freshman/sophomore level, and assume no prior knowledge of Islam. The perspective of the instructor is evangelical ChristianBthe belief that AJesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the father except through him@ (Jn. 14.6)

in the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition: The instructor will attempt to be fair, place a high priority on tolerance and respect of others= beliefs, attempt to disarm pugnacious and inflammatory rhetoric, and seek to Aif possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.@ (Rom. 12.18)

equips students to grow spiritually and academically: The study of other religions often helps Christians to refine their faith by seeing religion in a different context. Looking at the challenges brought by another religion helps Christians to refine their ideas for a more concise and intelligible presentation of their own faith.

to serve effectively in the church and society: Islam presents major challenges to North American Christians in religious, social and business contexts. A basic knowledge of Islam is a valuable asset for all our students.