Religion 247 - THE QUR'AN

The Qur'an, according to the majority of Muslims, is God's word revealed to Muhammad through angel Gabriel over a period of 22 years (610-632 CE). This course will introduce students to Islam's scriptural text: its content, form, structure, and history. It will also situate the Qur'an in the larger frame of the genre of Scripture: What does it mean for a text to be revealed? Study of the Qur'an as a 7th- century product, as well as the history of reception of this text. Analysis of its varying impact on the formulation of Islamic salvation history, law and legal theory, theology, ritual, intellectual trends, and art and popular culture.