SACAL offers a complete Islamic Studies curriculum. These courses are designed for both non-Muslim students seeking to better understand Islam and Muslim students looking to deepen their religious understanding. The courses can be taken in conjunction with language courses or independently.
Intro to Islam
This course is designed for students with general interest in Islam and Islamic culture. It addresses the historical development of Islam and the fundamentals of faith and practice. It also explores the main sources of Islamic Law, the Qur'an and the Sunnah.
Women is Islam
In this course, students explore the role of women in Islamic culture from the pre-Islamic era to the present studying the religious and social position of Muslim women through film, photography and literature. Contemporary topics such as dress code, economic self-sufficiency, gender interactions and comparisons between the religious and cultural influences on the role of women in society are examined. Included are histories of prominent women in Islam, and panel discussions with Moroccan women on a variety of topics.
Qur'anic Recitation:
This course introduces students to one of the most prominent Qur’anic sciences. It explains the basic rules of Qur'anic recitation (Tajweed) in the Warsh reading (used in Morocco and some parts of Africa), as well as the Hafs reading, which is recited elsewhere in the Muslim world. The course covers accurate pronunciation, phonetics and rhythm.
Prerequisite: The ability to read Arabic.
Sciences of the Qur’an:
This course deals with the history of the Qur’an, including its revelation and compilation, its divisions into Meccan and Madani Surahs, as well as Qur’anic exegesis.