Islam · Religion
Since I did the 4-credit Islam course in a 6-week summer section, it was a LOT of work - probably 5+ hours of reading a week, plus a response paper. But it's a 4-credit class in 6 weeks, so...
Attendance 10% + discussion posts 24% + discussion facilitator 6% + field trip reflection papers 10% + midterm 20% + final paper 30%
There is a fair amount of reading for this course. However, this is one of the courses you can skim the reading if you have a lot of other work to get done. You're best served by doing it, however. Four eight-page essays and a simple final.
He's the best. Really! I took Islam with him over the summer. Everything said here is true. He's intense, super knowledgeable, a great teacher, engaging, and hilarious. At first, it seems like his habit of pushing back when you say things in class would shut down possible contributions, but he just appreciates when students say things with certainty. He has a really nuanced but understandable way of presenting and explaining topics. I'd recommend this class, or any class taught by him, to anyone thinking about it.
Professor Shanazarova is genuinely a great teacher. She is very friendly and approachable. As a non-Muslim, I learnt a lot about the history and practice of Islam in her class. The readings are quite heavy and ngl most people didn't finish readings, but if you put in the effort this will be a very rewarding class. I did not enjoy the class the first 2 weeks and had doubts whether I was in the right Global Core, but by the end of the semester, it was one of the classes I looked forward to and I'd gladly take the class again. Also 2 field trips to a mosque and the MET, fairly easy midterm, and a 10 page final paper on a topic of your choice.
Professor Awn's course was extremely delightful. He shines as a beacon of subject-matter expertise and pedagogical genius. What sets him apart from other lecturers is his ability to connect with the students and not take himself or anyone else too seriously. His relaxed matter fosters a relaxed atmosphere in which the material does not feel like work. Some of the lectures were a bit dry, which he acknowledges. The majority of the lectures, however, were delightful to attend and very informative. He does not seem to be an extremely difficult grader, though that guess is mere conjecture. The key to success on the essays seems to be thinking critically about the material and writing coherent sentences with proper grammar and punctuation. No witchcraft here. Another nice part of the course is the reading list provided. For every topic on the syllabus, a list of recommended readings is included. I will be referring back to that list in the years to come to deepen my understanding. Professor Awn's class was a diamond in Columbia's occasional academic rough.
Weekly blog response, one short assignment (two pages double spaced), final paper.
I won't rehash all the things that have been said about Professor Haider in much detail. There is a lot of work, and sometimes the readings can be repetitive. Every week you have to write a blog post, and he grades them on a scale of quarter points up to 10.0, but in reality you will likely never get above a 9.5. My average over the semester was probably between and 9.0 and a 9.25, and I got an A. So don't worry too much because he will curve it. He is very exacting, sometimes almost to a fault. He can seem to be blind to the fact that his own criticisms are not ironclad. Absolutely make sure you meet with him early in the semester during his office hours. He appreciates getting to know his students. As has been said, he's very old school. He is intimidating in his comments, exacting in his standards, and demanding in his expectations for independent thought. Tips: try to tie in outside sources that relate in an unexpected but thoughtful way. Prepare for a lot of reading, and be judicious in what you read and how closely. Don't be afraid to challenge his views, but know how to back it up and anticipate his criticisms so you can address them on the fly. He truly is a quality over quantity person; he's not just saying that. Overall, I would highly recommend him to someone that can devote the time and energy he requires of you.
It's a lot of work but worth it. Weekly response papers/blogs (you can skip 2 weeks), one short paper, and one final paper. No midterm or final because he doesn't believe in tests.
I loved this course. Professor Haider is an incredibly engaging professor, encourages students to think critically, and is very passionate about this subject. Some students think he's mean, but his tough style is what makes him a great professor that keeps class interesting and encourages students to always participate. If you answer a question in class, he will push back and challenge you - be prepared and articulate. The workload is worth it though if you are really interested in learning this subject and just about the world in general. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS COURSE