This course is a non-theological approach to understanding the Qur’an as a literary text. Topics will include:
• Orientalism and the study of Islam
• History of the Qur’anic text
• The Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad
• Form, style, and structure
• Ritual aspects of the Qur'an
• Problems of translation
• Commentary and interpretation
• Contemporary understandings of the Qur’an
The format each week will generally be to spend the first hour on lecture and discussion on particular themes in the understanding of the Qur'an. Then after a short break, we will spend the rest of the time closely reading selected suras from the Qur'an in translation. Students should always bring at least one translation of the Qur'an to class, and preferably two.

The general philosophy underlying this course is laid out in my article, "Reading Strategies for Introducing the Qur'an As Literature."

A background in literature, religious studies, or Islamic studies will be extremely helpful. Previous experience with writing a research paper is necessary. As in all courses in religious studies in a public university, this class is based on intellectual analysis, rather than advocacy or rejection of anyone's religious belief.

Gaining information about the text of the Qur'an, its history, use, and interpretation: The Qur'an is obviously an important historical text. We will attempt to understand how it came into existence, how it has been transmitted and employed, and some of the chief ways in which it has been interpreted. In addition to studying and discussing the main text for the course, each student will also be expected to gain familiarity with one particular problem or topic that will be studied in greater depth with a research paper.

Understanding problems related to the study of religion: to equip you with tools to evaluate the ways in which religion is conceptualized and enacted in different contexts. The particular problems that we will discuss will include "essentialism" (the belief that a particular religion is always the same, regardless of history or variables such as politics), conflicting interpretations of religious texts, the nature of ideology.

Developing analytical skills: to refine skills in thinking and writing, so that after the course students will be able to offer informed and insightful analysis of related topics.

• Discovering the Quran: A Contemporary Approach to a Veiled Text, by Neal Robinson (Georgetown University Press, 2004; ISBN: 1589010248)
• The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics Hardcovers), trans. by Muhammad Abdel Haleem (Oxford University Press, 2004; ISBN: 0192805487)
• Introduction to the Qur'an, by W. Montgomery Watt (Edinburgh University Press, 2001; ISBN: 0748605975)
• The Koran: A Very Short Introduction, by Michael Cook (Oxford University Press, 2000: ISBN: 0192853449)
• New unpublished literary translations of the Qur’an by W. N. Crest
• We will make frequent use of the new Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an (Davis Library Reference, call number BP133 .E53 2001-- this is not available online!).  
• We will also use selected texts, recitations, and images available on the Internet.