Course Description from Brightspace
Welcome to Introducing Islam, one of my tried-and-true courses that I am thrilled to get back into with you all! You may feel differently—summer is ending! the semester is nigh! maybe it’s your first semester ever, and that’s all the feels!—but I think we’ve got a great group and course ahead.
As you head back to campus, or find your way uphill from your summer spent somewhere downtown, please take a minute to read your syllabus (on Brightspace and attached). You’ll notice, I hope, these crucial details:
- How to contact me!
- Email is great ([email protected]), office hours are too (Tuesdays, 12-2, though an appointment is encouraged), and text/WhatsApp (802-391-0810). Those of you who already know me know that that number is a burner—it isn’t the number my mom has or my kids’ schools get—but if texting is easy for you? It’s good for me, too. The name of the game is open, easy communication and meeting you where you’re at.
- How to find your readings!
- In an attempt to save you money—because why are books not included in tuition?!—there are no required books for purchase for this class.
- Don’t assume that means no readings, y’all. All readings are available via Brightspace, either as PDFs or links, often via UVM library databases. Lots of you are first time students @ UVM, so spend a minute clicking links and poking around to make sure you understand where things are. We’ll go over this all in class, too, but a head start doesn’t hurt.
- What the vibe of class is!
- We’re going to learn about the wide variety of Islamic practice across time (Islamic history spans almost two millennia), place (Islam is practiced on every continent, including Antarctica, because, duh, some scientists are Muslim), language (you might rightly imagine that a global religion speaks in multiple tongues), and internal diversity of text, interpretation, emphasis, etc. In short, we’re thinking about multiplicity at the same time we’re thinking about shared commonality. All while learning about how to study religion from a secular standpoint. Like I said at the top, it’s a great course.
If we haven’t met, this is as good a place as any to say: hi hello, I’m Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst, your professor, and yes that whole 17 letter name is my actual, legal surname. I’m an expert on Islam, broadly speaking, and you can find nearly all my research here, if that interests you. If we have met, thanks for being here for yet another round of class with me. Your appreciation of jokes and hard work is duly noted.