1/53 - ISLAMIC STUDIES

The first part of the course aims to provide students with a solid understanding of how Islam has developed and spread over time and across different geographical locations. This will be achieved through a dual approach: viewing Islam as a civilisation capable of influencing the cultural and spiritual lives of Islamic societies and Muslim communities in non-Islamic contexts; and adopting a historical-contextual approach to identify socio-political conditions as a key factor in understanding the various — and sometimes conflicting — interpretations of Islam proposed by Muslims.

The second part of the course will focus on the presence of Muslims in Italy. After outlining their recent history, we will examine the various Islamic organisations and analyse why they have not yet reached an agreement with the state. This will be followed by an examination of issues related to the construction of mosques and the role of imams. We will then move on to explore dynamics concerning the body. Firstly, we will examine garments worn by women to cover their bodies, either fully or partially, and the attempts to prohibit them. We will also address the criminalisation of female genital mutilation, which is more culturally than religiously based. Secondly, we will examine circumcision in relation to men. Thirdly, we will address the challenges associated with burying bodies in non-Islamic cemeteries. Finally, we will discuss issues related to education, Islamophobia, and radicalisation, as well as goods and services that comply with Islamic law, such as halal food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, banking products, and tourism.

The course aims to provide students with the tools to prevent, identify and potentially resolve conflicts between the religious obligations of practising Muslims and the rules of the Italian legal system through mediation.

It is expected of students that they will demonstrate the development of a critical capacity relating to the topics covered in the course. Evidence of this ability is demonstrated by the capacity to personally revise and synthesise the content acquired during the lectures.

It is imperative that students are able to demonstrate the knowledge acquired during the course in a coherent and articulate manner, employing language that is precise and appropriate for the subject matter. Furthermore, it is imperative that they exhibit a high level of personal exposition ability.

Students of Arabic are expected to demonstrate their ability to pronounce, write and transliterate correctly all Arabic words learned during lessons.

The knowledge and methodology offered by the course will enable students to pursue the study of Islam and Muslims in italy independently. Indeed, they will learn to expand on the knowledge they have already acquired, either by approaching the most recent scholarly literature related to the topics covered in the lectures independently or by participating in seminars and conferences related to these topics.