This course is a hands‐on course designed to impart education in the foundational methods, techniques and skills of thinking and problem solving related to Islamic religious studies, social sciences and beyond. it is not about any thinking. It is about those kinds of thinking that take conscious effort, and which can be done well or badly. Most of our thinking takes little or no conscious effort. We just do it. You could almost say that we think without thinking! Students will examine and be practically exposed to the main components of critical thinking and problem solving with an Islamic slant i.e., scholarly skills, attitudes, behaviours and moral etiquettes. Once equipped with this knowledge set, and skills, participants would be well‐placed to be able to problem solve in all settings and critically analyse texts, literature as well as debate. In addition to their application in an academic setting, many of the methodologies discussed in this course will be similar to those deployed in professional critical thinking environments and beyond, as this course will present Islamic philosophies around knowledge and thinking skills.
Teaching methods include readings, lectures, group discussions, exercises, and assignments. Lectures are designed such that ensure greater scholar participation. Students will be provided with the opportunity to apply their learning to a subject matter of their own choice in the field of Islamic studies, while increasing awareness about various types of resources that will be of use during the course of their studies. There will be activities and discussion topics to prompt and encourage reflection on thinking and reasoning themselves. Read more