College of Charleston Arabic Professor Ghazi Abuhakema is hoping to give students insight into current events in the Arab/Islamic world through his “The Qu’ran and its Place in Contemporary Islam” Maymester class. Students will learn about the role the Quran plays in the Muslim society as well as how the Quran addresses hot current issues including the status of women, jihad and the roles of family members. The Quran is the primary source of Islam where 1.3 billion people get their legislation. Students will read excerpts of the Quran and related texts in translation, including classic and contemporary commentaries. Knowledge of Arabic language is not required.
“At the College, we want to create a generation who is versed in world cultures, and who shapes their perception about the world by reading from primary sources and not relying on public mass media,” Abuhakema says. “This Maymester class is in tandem with the goals and strategic plan of the College and of those of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs.”
The Maymester class is interdisciplinary with three credits as an Asian studies course or religious studies. The class also fulfills a humanities course requirement.
Abuhakema is an Arab Palestinian who grew up overseas and in the U.S. He is an an applied linguist by training, and the coordinator of the Arabic program at CofC. He feels strongly that students should study a foreign language and its target culture. He is an expert on Arab culture, history of the ME, and Islam. He is also a certified language tester and certified translator.
For more information, contact Ghazi Abuhakema at 843.953.3988.
