Special Topics in Comparative Literature (390-0-20)

Topic

IQRA': Premodern and Modern Arabic Literary Genres

Instructors

Xena Amro

Meeting Info

Online: Tues, Thurs 8:00AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

IQRA': Premodern and Modern Arabic Literary Genres (CA. 950 - 1900 CE)

Description: In the Qur'an, the first word revealed is Iqra'—"Read." This class approaches reading as both an intellectual and spiritual practice. While the texts we examine may not be explicitly religious, the act of reading itself will be treated as a sacred act—one of daily engagement.

We will study key literary forms from the 10th to the 19th centuries, beginning with early genres like the Maqāmah (picaresque tales) and the Risālah (letters or epistles). We will then move into modern genres, which include the Riḥlā (travelogues) from the Naḥdah period, also known as the Arab Renaissance, and the early Arabic novel.

As we examine these works, we will explore a central challenge: translation and interpretation. Arabic literary traditions can differ greatly from Western ones, and this contrast will be a key part of our discussions. We will look at how each genre functions within its own cultural context and identify what makes it distinctively Arabic. Throughout the course, we will consider both the formal elements (like structure and style) and thematic concerns (such as satire, love, trickery, piety, and even blasphemy). These themes appear across different genres, and by studying them, we will gain insight into how they evolve and intersect over time.

Even though the genres we study might seem very different on the surface, we will also discover how they overlap, revealing the fluid and interconnected nature of Arabic literature.
By the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of adab—the term used for Arabic literary culture—and will be able to analyze the key elements of each genre, identify common themes, and appreciate the complexity and richness of Arabic literary traditions throughout history.

Class Attributes

Synchronous:Class meets remotely at scheduled time