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Listed in: Asian Languages and Civilizations, as ASLC-55 | History, as HIST-60
Monica M. Ringer (Section 01)
(MEP) (Also Asian 55.) This course examines in depth the formative period of Islam between c. 500-680. Using predominantly primary material, we will chart the emergence, success, and evolution of Islam, the Islamic community, and the Islamic polity. The focus of this course is on understanding the changing nature over time of peoples’ understanding of and conception of what Islam was and what Islam implied socially, religiously, culturally and politically. We concentrate on exploring the growth of the historical tradition of Islam and its continued contestations amongst scholars today. This course will familiarize students with the events, persons, ideas, texts and historical debates concerning this period. It is not a course on the religion or beliefs of Islam, but a historical deconstruction and analysis of the period. This class is writing intensive. Two class meetings per week. Instructor consent required. Limited to 15 students. Not open to first-year students. Fall semester. Professor Ringer.