RESA4221 ¨C What the Qur'an Says: Translation, Interpretation and Society

Course content

This course is devoted to the study of the relationships between the translation of the Qur¡¯an, its interpretation, and its reception in contemporary societies. Whenever Muslim groups or individuals are involved in an act of violence or a social controversial issue, the question "what does the Qur¡¯an say about it?" is posed. While part of the focus in this course will be on attempting to answer this question with regard to particular cases, we will also focus on challenging some of the underlying assumptions inherent to the question. One of these assumptions is that by reading "the Qur¡¯an", often in translation, it is possible for the reader to access a clear-cut answer to any socio-ethical question. Through the study of how the Qur¡¯an and its translations are read in various contexts, and the significance of its readings for individuals, communities and societies, this course will provide the student with insights on the relationship between the Qur¡¯anic text and contemporary societies.

The focus of the course is on the Qur¡¯an in religion and politics, the Qur¡¯an in lived religion and modern Qur¡¯anic hermeneutics. Within these three avenues, various approaches to the Qur¡¯an will be explored, as well as concrete cases from contemporary societies.

Learning outcome

Through this course, students will acquire:

Knowledge

• An understanding of what kind of text the Qur¡¯an is
• Knowledge of central terms and concepts pertaining to the reading and interpretation of the Qur¡¯an
• An overview of various traditions, trends and strategies within Qur¡¯an interpretation, with focus on central modern movements and thinkers
• An understanding of the relationship between the translation and the interpretation of the Qur¡¯an

Skills

• The ability to identify and discuss concrete examples of the interpretive implications of Qur¡¯an translation
• The ability to discuss topics significant to political and socio-religious discourses in contemporary society with reference to relevant passages in the Qur¡¯an.

This course is offered on both Bachelor`s and Master`s level. The Master`s level syllabus will be more comprehensive than that of the Bachelor`s level, and a higher level of knowledge and reflection will be expected from the Master students at the written exam, compared to the Bachelor`s level students.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Students studying at master¡¯s level on the Teacher Education Programme may apply to the course by sending an email to info@teologi.uio.no by the same deadlines as for course registration for bachelor courses at TF.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with RESA3221 ¨C What the Qur'an Says: Translation, Interpretation and Society.

Teaching

The teaching consists of weekly seminars.

Mandatory activities:

During the course, each student will work with two cases, the first individually and the second in a group.

• The first case study will result in a written assignment of 1000 words to be submitted in Canvas.
• The second case study will result in an oral group presentation in class.

Both the written assignment and the oral presentation must be approved in order for the student to be admitted to the exam.

Examination

Three days home exam, 3000-4000 words.

Previous exams and grading guidelines

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.