The Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences

=

45150 RUSSELL BRANCH PARKWAY, SUIT= E 303

ASHBURN, VIRGINIA 20147

Phone: (571) 203-9800, fax: (57= 1) 203-9803

E-mail: school@siss.edu,= URL: www.siss.edu

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Fall 2008

Graduate Cou= rse Bulletin

Fall Semester 2008

September 8th, 2008 – Decem= ber 22^nd, 2008

No.	Index	Course Title	Degree	Instructor	Credit	Day	Hours
527	1448	Community Based Research for Religious Communities	MA MCS (Muslim-Christian Studies Certificate)	Larry Golemon	3	Mon.	6:30-9:30pm
528	1449	Introduction to Christianity	MA MCS	Larry Golemon	3	Tue.	6:30-9:30pm
606	1451	Worship Theory and Practice	MA MCS	Adam Shiekh	3	Wed.	6:30-9:30pm
545	1452	Quranic Studies (1)	MA IS (Islamic Studies Certificate)	Zainab Alwani	3	Friday	6:30-9:30pm
621	1454	Biography of the Prophet	MA AS (Area Studies Certificate)	Adam Sheikh	3	Friday	6:30-9:30pm
565	1455	Leadership of Islamic Institutions	MCS	TBA	3	Tues.	6:30-9:30pm

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Fall Semester 2008

Orientation..........................................= ...........................................................................= ........ September 8

Registration ....................................= ......................................................... August 25th – September 22nd

First Day of Classes......................= ...........................................................................= .......... September 8th

End of Drop/Add Period..................= ...........................................................................= ...... September 22nd

End of Drop Period......................= ...........................................................................= ................. October 6th

Last Day to Withdraw from Classes without Academic Penalty............................................ October 6th

Thanksgiving Week ...............................= .................................................................. N= ovember 24th– 28th

Last Day of Classes......................= ...........................................................................= ........ December 22nd

Final Examination Week....................= ...................................................................... December 15th– 19th

Graduation..........................................= ...........................................................................= ............. June 2009

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

527<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Community Based Research for Religious Communities, Larry A. Golemon. This = course explores several community-based forms of research that will enhance religi= ous leadership in local faith communities. Specific tools from congregational studies such as local surveys, neighborhood walks, history timelines, and document analysis will be explored. Methods from ethnography and action research such as; group interviews, participant observations, narrative research, and collaborative planning will also be utilized. Finally, practitioner research methods that improve reflection upon and decision mak= ing about ones’ own leadership such as leader journals, peer reviews, and self case studies will be learnt and applied. The emphasis throughout the course will be on qualitative form of research. Students will be required to complete at least two projects in local communities of faith including one where they exercise some form of leadership. Readings, presentations, and student pr= ojects will be adapted to the distinctive gifts, frameworks of faith, and resource= s of each mosque or community of faith that is being explored. These tools can be adapted to a variety of faith expressions in way that strengthen each community’s religious practice and enhance local leadership. =

528<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Introduction to Christ= ianity, Larry A. Golemon. This course explores fundamental Christian Beliefs and Practices in ways that open dialogue with people of other Faiths, especially Abrahamic Faiths. The p= lace of Revelation, Scripture, and God's Covenants will be explored. Then fundamental beliefs about the attributes and nature of God, the prophecy and incarnation of Jesus, the ro= le of Mary, and the work of the Holy Spirit in creation and redemption will be discussed. Students wil= l also learn about the shape of the religious life-in the role of law, prayer, and grace; the life of the community-in architecture, art, rituals, and common life; and the ethics of Christians in society-from marriage and family, to = commerce, to modernity and secularization. The instructor will share the core of orthodox Christian teachings, = but he also explores the range of belief and practice among various Christian communities around the globe. At the end of the course, we will chart a "course for the future" by exploring Christian responses to the j= oint Muslim statement: "A Com= mon Word between Us and You." All teaching and assignments will be done in the spirit of mutual inquiry and respect for one another's faith traditions.

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545 Quranic Studies (I), = Zainab Alwani. T= his course will explore the depth of the Quran in the Islam= ic paradigm, the nature of the Quran, and its universal message. Students will learn how to deal with the Quran as a source of knowledge, a source of legi= slation, a book of worship, and a book of stewardship. Students will discover the to= ols of an authentic methodology that enable them to understand the traditional science of Fiqh, Hadith, and Sirah t= hrough Qur’an and identify the structural characteristics of the Quran; its coherence, syntactical integrity, and the relationship between its verses a= nd chapters. Upon completion of the course, students will build a foundation f= or well-understanding of Quranic Sciences.

= 565<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Leadership of Islamic Institutions, TBA. This Course trains the students in how to be a successful leader and carry out the leadership responsibilities.

668<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Muslim Community Building and Develo= pment, TBA. This course addresses the administrative procedures and legal requirements, basic skills, and knowled= ge critical to managing a successful Islamic organization. It will explore the management processes and core strategies behind fund raising, volunteerism, community building, community problem solving, developing interrelationships among Muslim communities, public relations, marketing tools, and communications; and issues affecting their implementation in today’s environment.

621<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Biography of the Prophet (Al-Seerah Al-Nabawiyyah), Adam Shiekh. This Course is an introduction to an analytical = study of the Seerah. Topics include realities in the Arab world and the world at large before and at the time of the Prophet. The lessons drawn from the biography of the Prophet will be examined and the Prophet’s leadership style in different situations w= ill be analyzed.

606<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Worship Theory and Practice,= Adam Sheikh. In this course, an in-depth= look at the Islamic concept of worship will be studied. The various manifestatio= n of intention in the Islamic theory of worship will also be examined. Special attention will be given to the prayer, fasting, charitable giving and pilgrimage.

Fall 2008

REGISTRATION FORM

Printed May 2008 = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Office of Student Services

PROCEDUR= E:

&nbs= p;

1. Students who have alre= ady submitted an application form to a degree, certificate or non-degree program may register for classes. If you have not filled out an application, please= do so ASAP. Completed non-degree admissions packets may still be accepted during registration week. PLEASE PRI= NT LEGIBLY.

2. Once you have submitte= d a degree or non-degree program application, fill out the form below and retur= n it before September 8^th, 2008 along with yourStudent In= formation Sheet. Registration forms will still be accepted until September 22^{nd<=
/sup>,
2008. All students MUST complete the Student Information Sheet on the rever=
se
side. Incomplete registration forms will not be accepted. Students are
encouraged to register prior to registration week.}

3. Be prepared to make ch= anges if the class you selected is dropped due to insufficient enrollment.

4. Submit this form to the Office of Student Services by September 8^th, 2008 with full tuit= ion payment of $200 per credit hour, unless you have a pending financial aid application.

REGISTRA= TION:

&nb= sp;

Student Name = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Social Security Number:

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Please Print Legibly

q = Masters of Islamic Stu= dies degree program, Concentration:

q = Certificate in Muslim Christian Studies

q = Certificate in Islamic Studies

q = Certificate in Islamic Economics and Finance

q = Certificate in Islamic Studies Teaching

q = Non-Degree<= /span>

Fall Semester, September 8th– December 22nd, 2008

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	Course No.	Index	Course Title	Instructor	Days/Times
1.
2.
3.

Signature of Student:<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Date:

STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET

The Student Information Sheet must be filled out by ALL students at the time of registration. The information requested on this form is necessary to keep y= our contact information current for all school correspondence. It is your responsibility to continually update the Office of Student Services of any changes of address and other contact information. Please fill out the following blanks. Your cooperation= is appreciated and the information you provide will be keep confidential. PLEA= SE PRINT LEGIBLY.

Student's Name: = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Age:

Local Address:

(while attending classes at GSISS, address for all school correspondence)<= /p>

Home Phone: = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Work Phone= :

E-mail: = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Work Fax:

INS Status:

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(Please attach current copy of visa document)

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q &nbs= p; White

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Medical Condition:

(If you have a medical condition that you wish the faculty and staff to be aware of, please indicate here.)

Name of Spouse:

(If married and s= pouse resides with you, please list full name of your spouse.)<= /p>

Dependents:

(If you have dependents residing with you, please list first name, sex, and age of each.= For example: Ali (M-5 yrs.), Mohammad (M-10 yrs.), and Nadia (F-12 yrs.)

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(All international students studying in the U.S. who are ineligible for a Social Security Number are required to obtain an I= ndividual Tax identification Number from the Social Security Office of the U.S.)

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If you have submitted this Student Information Sheet dur= ing prior registrations and NO information has changed, fill in your name, signature, date, and write &quo= t;no change" here: