Module4-Information.docx

Module 4: Islamic Culture (Values, Beliefs, and Behaviors)

Learning Blocks #4 – #8

Culture comprises of values, beliefs and behaviors. This module, with its rich and selective learning materials introduces students to religious and cultural values of Islam. Students learn about the Five Pillars of Faith which structures a Muslim person’s life, as well as understand the concept of haya (modesty), as prescribed in the Muslim holy book, Quran.
The Hijab (head covering) of a Muslim woman is perhaps the most misunderstood religious garment; the learning materials help students place hijab and modesty in context to the religion and culture, as well as dis- spell stereotypes regarding the role of “hijabi” women. 
Cultural emblems like the camel and jinn carry non-religious and religious meaning, and help students understand the transcendence of human cultures beyond religion. 
Students are required to analyze the learning materials and draw parallels, or at least understand cultural relativity. Finally, students will identify Islamic religious and cultural values and do independent research to place the values in current context. Students will write the discussion board to demonstrate how well they understand that religions are dependent on community to continue the traditions, and that religions, like all belief systems, must remain relevant to the lives of its followers. The variety of learning materials is intended for students to read and hear a variety of representative views. 

Learning Block #4: The Five Pillars of Islam

i. The Five Pillars of Islam (BBC)
ii. Adhan – Islamic call to prayer (film 3:25)
iii. The Fifth Pillar of Islam: The Hajj Pilgrimage (The British Museum)
iv. Mecca (National Geographic) (film 3:46)

Learning Block #5: The Six Articles of Faith

v. The Six Articles of Faith (BBC)

Learning Block #6: Modesty

vi. Modesty in Islam (arabnews.com)
vii. Women in Society (Pew Research Center) 

Learning Block #7: Jinn

viii. Jinn in Islam (Quranic text and 2 films 6:04 and 5:20)
Learning Block #8: Camel, the ship of the desert
ix. Camel (from aramcoworld.com)

At the end of Module 4, students will:

1. List a diversity of Islamic religious and cultural values,
2. Describe Quranic verses on the Five Pillars, Six Articles of Faith, Modesty, and Jinn,
3. Explain the significance of the camel in the Arab-Islamic culture, and
4. Correlate the dependence of humans on nature, as well as the coexistence of humans with nature.

Assignment:
Students will analyze the extensive contents in Module 4 and write a comprehensive Discussion Board 2. Instructions for the Discussion Board 2 are posted under the Discussion Boards tab.