This course offers an overview of major aspects of the contemporary culture of the Arab-Islamic world. It helps students to develop an understanding of the relationship between religion and culture and the cultural impact of globalization. Lectures focus on Islamic law, gender issues, fashion, the internet, movies, and religious practices, using materials on Arabic countries such as Egypt.
Students who have completed this course shall be able to:
・Have a solid foundation in the characteristics of the Religion of Islam and the modern history and culture of the Arab-Islamic world, and place current cultural events and related debates in a broader historical context.
・Develop academic reading skills by reading academic essays on the modern Arab-Islamic world.
Islam, Egypt, Arabic countries, Arab culture, the relationship between religion and society
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
This lecture is given in a face-to-face class. In each class, the lecturer introduce Arab culture using a large number of photographs and video materials based on class handouts. After each class, students are required to do the assignments listed in the class handout (read the specified essay, answer the questions, etc.). These assignments will serve as preparation for and review of the class, and will also be part of the report to be submitted after the 4th class and the questions for the term-end examination in the 7th class.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction, overview of basic Islamic beliefs and practices | Answer the questions on the handout about Islam. |
Class 2 | Overview of Islamic law | Research the issue of Halal certification. |
Class 3 | Marriage and Personal Status Law | Read the assigned article on Muslim Marriage and answer the questions. |
Class 4 | Fashion( Change in Muslim women's clothing from the 19th century) | Read the assigned article on women's issues in Egypt and answer the questions. |
Class 5 | Media | Read the assigned article on Islamic law and answer the questions. |
Class 6 | Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj(Pilgrimage) | Read the assigned article on Islamic religious rituals and answer the questions. |
Class 7 | Term-end examination | Look at the file of example answers uploaded after the exam and do self-scoring. |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to the course material.
No textbook. Course material will be distributed in the class.
Course material with the reference list will be provided in each class.
Grading will be based on the results of the exam (45%) and the "small assignment" (55%) submitted after the 4th class.
None required.
This course is 500-level course. Tokyo Tech’s “wedge-shaped style education” enables students to pursue liberal arts education in a phased manner throughout undergraduate and graduate programs. Students are encouraged to take courses in the sequence of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 levels. As such, master's students must begin from 400-level Humanities and Social Science courses in 1Q and 2Q of the first year, then proceed to 500-level courses. And master's students entering in September must begin from 400-level Humanities and Social Science courses in 3Q and 4Q of the first year, then proceed to 500-level courses. Students can register for 500-level Humanities and Social Science courses six months after their entrance (i.e. students admitted in April can register in 3Q and 4Q, and those admitted in September can register in 1Q and 2Q).