Koran Reading Assignment 

Please answer the following questions with complete sentences. Each question should take a minimum of three paragraphs (however, students may write as much as they wish). Your responses should be based on the selections and not outside research. You may use information from lecture, but the idea is for you to make your own judgments and evaluations based upon the texts. To support your opinions, please feel free to quote or give examples from the texts. You are being evaluated not on whether or not you give the correct answer (many times there is no “right” answer), but on how well you attempted to address the issues in each question.

 

Each question is worth 10 points.

 

1.) Explore the concept of God as discussed in the Koran. Who is God? What is his power? How does he interact in the world? How does he reward the faithful? How does he punish the sinful? What kind of conduct does he require?

2.) Discuss the relationship between Christian and Jewish concepts and ideas as discussed in the Koran. In what context does the Koran mention Jews and Christians? What figures from Jewish and Christian scripture does the Koran mention? How are these figures perceived and discussed? How does the Koran instruct Muslims to feel about these figures? How does the Koran’s interpretation of them differ from Christian and Jewish understanding?

3.) Discuss gender roles and gender definitions/expectations as discussed in the Koran. How are women perceived? What is their status with respect to men? What are some of their legal rights and restrictions? What type of values does the Koran try to instill in women?