Utilitarianism: Some Introductory Material

Peace, one and all…

This week we will also begin exploring Utilitarianism, an important ethical philosophy.  I have prepared some materials for you, which I will bring in to class. 

Further Information:

• Jeremy Bentham at the Online Library of Liberty
• Jeremy Bentham at Wikipedia
• Utilitarian Philosophers
• Utilitarianism at RS Revision.com

Please make sure you read through at least some of this material as we will use it in a debate next week. 

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

An Introduction to Religion & Ethics

Peace, one and all…

This week we will begin our third and final module, An Introduction to Religion and Ethics.  As we discussed last week, we will look at the following topics:

Medical Issues: abortion, euthanasia, embryo research, life and death, organ donation, etc

Environmental Issues: pollution, climate change, use of resources, fossil fuels, etc

We will look at these topics from the point of view of Islam.  That is, what does Islam say about these questions?  We will also look at them from the perspective of other ethical philosoph1ies: namely, Utilitarianism and Kant’s Categorical Imperative.

You can download a copy of the Islam and Ethics Handbook.

Last week, I asked you to read the Quran and make notes on any verse that dealt with ethical values.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Mysticism in Islam: Sufism

Peace, one and all…

Last night we explored Islamic mysticism (or Sufism).  Here are the relevant slides:

• Islamic Mysticism

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Religion and Human Experience

Peace, one and all…

This term we will begin our second module: An Introduction to Religion and Human Experience.  Here are the slides that we have used so far: Religion & Human Experience and Interpreting the Quran.  The texts we used last week are also available: What is Religious Experience?

I have also asked you to submit a project for Monday 4th February 2008.  The project asks you to write a 5 page project.  Imagine you are the Minister of Information for a Muslim country of your choice.  You are being visited by a team of professors from a British university.  Tell them what you feel is the most important element of Islam to you.  Remember to use pictures, and to turn this into a mini-brochure.  I will give marks for presentation and content.

The next assignment will involve something on one of the following topics: dreams/visions; conversion; the experiences of Muhammad (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam).  I will also ask you to give presentations.

And finally, we will be having mock exams every other week from now on.  Please make sure you attend.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Understanding the Quran and Sunnah

Peace, one and all…

Here are some notes on Understanding the Quran and the Sunnah.  Insha Allah, we will look at this theme on Monday (time permitting).  If we don’t quite manage this, we will look at next week (insha Allah).

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Over the Christmas Break

Peace, one and all…

 

I am currently putting together stuff for you to read over the Christmas break.  This will include material on what we have covered so far (sira, Quran, hadith and so on).  It will also include material for the two new modules: Religion and Human Experience and Religion and Ethics.

Please try to read through this material during the holidays, as it will help you immensely once we return.

I will give out this material before the last session, insha Allah.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Next Week…

Peace, one and all…

Next week, insha Allah, we will finish looking at the 5 Pillars (see the post below for the relevant slides).  We will also look at Islamic practices in daily life.  Insha Allah, we will also begin a regular programme of in-class written work.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Presentations, etc

Peace, one and all…

Just a quick note to say thank you to all our presenters (both this week and last), for their hard work and interesting talks.  Next week we will conclude with the following presentations:

• What is Islam?  And what is a Muslim?
• Islamic Ideas about God

Remember to save the slides you make, as we will use them later on.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Exploring the 5 Pillars

Peace, one and all…

Here are the slides for this week’s material on the Five Pillars.  Please read through this material before class next week.

Also, remember to have your presentations ready.  You can use PowerPoint slides if you want to, but please remember that the main purpose is to discuss ideas.

It is essential that you bring your mock exam answers with you for Monday’s session, as we will go through them.

Finally, I also wanted to say a word about lateness.  Please do not be late coming back from break times.  Not only is it disruptive to other members of the class, it is also very rude.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Past Exam Papers

Peace, one and all…

As promised, here are some links to AS Level exam papers.  Here is a link to the AS Level Religious Studies homepage.  This link takes you to the GCE Religious Studies Handbook 2007. 

Past papers can be found in a number of places.  The home page is here.

• January 2007 Exam Paper
• Marking Scheme
• June 2006 Exam Paper
• January 2006 Exam Paper
• June 2005 Exam Paper
• January 2005 Exam Paper
• June 2004 Exam Paper
• January 2004 Exam Paper

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman