Inclass

Inclass/Typed QuestionS

In-Class Response-Question #1: In his Cairo Address of June 4, 2009, President Obama referenced "the story of [the] Isra [and the Mi'raj], when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, ... joined in prayer." In Chapter 3 of TFC, Ranya offers a more detailed version of "the story of [Mohammad's] Isra and Mi'raj ..." Read it attentively, and be prepared to explain the 2 Arabic words in terms of Ranya's short but vivid retelling of the Prophet's mystical experiences. AND what was Priscilla's response upon learning of the contents of the 5-times-daily prayers (= salat - one of the Five Pillars of Islam)? Did you share her surprise? = What surprised you?
FOLKS, tomorrow we'll have our 1st TRIO-initiators - Marsha, Carl, & Catelin. What I have in mind is that each student choose to "be" one of the three women-members of TFC AND present to the class THREE significant points/themes/issues/experiences expressed by her in the course of the assigned pages. That's the objective component. Feel free to offer a subjective/personal perspective as to your understanding of what you chose or even WHY you chose what you did. ... P.S. I'll add here, WHO will be WHO, OK? Sorry, Catelin, I should have asked ... . So, Catelin you'll be Suzanne, Marsha is Ranya, and Carl is Priscilla. P.P.S. I went to the Bookstore and 6 pbk copies have been ordered - will be here by mid-next week.
6/25/09: For Laura et al. : 1) Concisely explain the meanings of the Isra and the Mi'raj in terms of Muhammad's mystical experiences. And how does the two-part story END? (8 pts.) 2) What did Priscilla learn about salat (= the 5-times-daily prayers) that surprised her? Were you surprised? Briefly comment. (2)
6/25/09 - FOLKS, for your first typed, 2-page (1.5 will suffice - or more!) Essay-Question #1 due Monday 6/29, it will be open-ended. How so? We'll divide alphabetically into 3 groups, each group = 1 of the 3 women. So, from Paruj A. to Erin Kel. = RANYA; from Chris Ket. to Jonathan Na. = SUZANNE; from Natalie No. to Marsha W. = Priscilla. To do what? Every student will select from the assigned pages ONE significant theme/issue/experience/... from R's or P's or S's perspective, depending on your group, to present to the class (= objective component - text-based) AND then add your own personal reaction/reflection on it, including WHY you chose what you did (subjective component - intellect-based). We'll go around the room, with everyone having an opportunity to speak - allowing for INTRAclass conversating.
WED 7/1/09 - As I presented in class today, here is what I propose for your In-Class/Response-Question #2, which will be based on our reading for tomorrow: namely, Chapter 8. So, the 10-point question will have two separate Parts @ 5 points. As you read Ch. 8 be particularly attentive to #1) Ranya's statement that "Islam is a journey." - she explains it in terms of the greater jihad: What does she mean by that? And what does she tell us to illustrate her metaphorical idea? and #2) Priscilla visits with Ranya, meeting her mother, Aida Tabari: What does Priscilla mean by saying "I realized how much I'd been changed by my meeting with her and her mother." And what does she tell us to illustrate how she has changed? ... Like the last time, I'll provide paper for your hand-written responses.
THURSDAY 7/2/09 - 2:30 p.m. - As I said in class today, for your typed 2-page (or more) Essay-Question #2, just do as you did for the #1: see above for 6/25/09. And for this E-Q stay with your original alphabetical group for Ranya or Suzanne or Priscilla, OK? Thanks. Happy July 4th weekend! And I WILL return ALL your written & typed pieces next class on Tuesday.
WEDNESDAY 7/8/09 - Folks, for tomorrow's 2-part In-Class Response-Question reflect upon the following as you read Chapter 11: 1) At one point in the chapter, Suzanne describes Ranya as a "religious iconoclast" {= a person who "breaks icons" = who "overthrows established customs or generally held beliefs"}in her lived religious life. What are the principal elements/aspects of Suzanne's descriptive portrait? And what is the effect upon Suzanne's own understanding of prayer? 2) At another point, Priscilla "wanted to know how I [Ranya] prayed." Ranya offers specifics about her "very personal" practice, ending with a literally down-to-earth NYC image which is also symbolic. What are the principal elements, aspects of how Ranya prays? And what is the impact upon Priscilla's own prayer-practice?
WED 7/15/09 - For your TYPED 2-page (or more) Essay-Question #4 due on Monday, do as you have done before so that everyone will have a chance to speak - with "groups" as follows: from Paruj to Erin: PRISCILLA & from Chris to Jonathan: RANYA & from Natalie to Marsha: SUZANNE. As for TOMORROW's In-Class Response-Question #4, I will compose two questions @ 4 points and @ 6 points along these lines: #1) As you read CH. 15, focus on Ranya's and Priscilla's comments as to how EACH of them is "comfortable with Jesus" at Christmas-time. (2/2) #2) As your read CH. 16, focus on what Suzanne tells us 1] about Dr. Azza Karam's lecture/discussion on Islam AND 2] about Rev. Craig Townsend's words of encouragement - "Craig's revelation" - to both Suzanne and Ranya who attend Suz's church's lecture-occasion on Islam.