Studying Islam: The Critical Issues (Studying World Religions) [Paperback]

Clinton Bennett (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Studying World Religions | Publication Date: February 10, 2010

This volume in the Studying World Religions series is an essential guide to the study of the Islamic faith. Clearly structured to cover all the major areas of study, including historical foundations, scripture, society, thought, ethics, rituals, spirituality and aesthetics, this is the ideal study aid for those approaching Islam for the first time.

Rather than attempting to cover all the material, the critical and methodological issues that students need to grasp in the study of Islam -- and religion in general -- are drawn out, and the major contemporary debates explored. With helpful suggestions for further study, pointing students towards material such as primary sources (scriptures), films and novels and including ideas for teaching, discussion topics and exercises, Studying Islam is the perfect companion for the fledgling student of Islam.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bennett provides an insightful and incisive analysis of trends in approaches to the teaching of Islam. He deal frankly with the problems that emerge with both the "faith sensitive" and the "critical" approaches and illustrates ways in which the positive elements of both trends can be integrated. Using an innovative structure mirroring a descriptive analysis of religion in human life, Bennett demonstrates how the study of Islam does not need to side with either polemic or apologetics and how it can and must integrate the tough questions that are asked today if it is to have intellectual rigour. This work provides a summary of scholarship on Islam that will be helpful to students in the development of their analytical tools and to teachers in their search for a classroom stance that is faithful to the principles of religious studies as an academic discipline." -- Andrew Rippin, University of Victoria, Canada

"In this comprehensive study aid Bennett provides students with an introductory look at Islam from an academic point of view. The past and current attitudes and approaches to the subject are aptly represented as well as core sources such as the Qur'an. Bennett draws constructive elements from both the critical and the faith sensitive schools of thought thus setting a balanced foundation for religious study in general. This is the first volume in the Studying World Religions series, which takes on the subject of religious studies as social science rather than theology." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.

“Bennett provides an insightful and incisive analysis of trends in approaches to the teaching of Islam. He deal frankly with the problems that emerge with both the "faith sensitive" and the "critical" approaches and illustrates ways in which the positive elements of both trends can be integrated. Using an innovative structure mirroring a descriptive analysis of religion in human life, Bennett demonstrates how the study of Islam does not need to side with either polemic or apologetics and how it can and must integrate the tough questions that are asked today if it is to have intellectual rigour. This work provides a summary of scholarship on Islam that will be helpful to students in the development of their analytical tools and to teachers in their search for a classroom stance that is faithful to the principles of religious studies as an academic discipline.” – Andrew Rippin, University of Victoria, Canada

About the Author

Clinton Bennett teaches Religious Studies at the State University of New York at New Paltz, and at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (February 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826495508
• ISBN-13: 978-0826495501
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,754,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Clinton Bennett was awarded the PhD in Islamic Studies by Birmingham University in 1990. He also holds the M.Ed. from Oxford and his undergraduate degree in Theology from Manchester University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and of the Royal Anthropological Institute and uses ethnography in his research. He is especially interested in how sensitive but critical issues in Religious Studies can be explored without causing offense to religious insiders. He is a specialist in the study of Islam with a focus on modern Muslim thinkers and movements. An ordained Baptist minister, he has worked as a missionary in Bangladesh, as co-pastor of a multi-racial inner city congregation, on the staff of the British Council of Churches and as a College and University chaplain and teacher. He has written nine books. He has combined academic study of Islam with participation in interfaith dialogue, serving on several World Council of Churches committees. He has advised local mosques, chaired school governing bodies and represented an NGO at the UN. He currently teaches at the State University of New York at New Paltz. His homepage is www.clintonbennett.net