Advanced Topics in Middle East & North African Studies (390-5-1)

Topic

Muslim Bodies

Instructors

Usman Hamid

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-430: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Muslim Bodies

This course examines the relationship between bodies and religion by examining Muslim embodiment of the Islam tradition in historical and contemporary contexts. Bodies are the site of much religious attention, both in terms of discourses and practices. As the instruments of ritual performance, they are subject to religious self-discipline and careful social regulation. At the same time bodies are medium through which religious experiences are made sensible and social identities materialized. As pivotal sites of religious expression and practice, bodies have been subject to a wide range of discourses, including aesthetic, devotional, ethical, erotic, legal, medieval, and political. The material reality of bodies has also drawn special attention from Muslim scholars and laity alike, with concerns ranging from health and healing, disability and difference, birth and childrearing, sex and gender, to death and dying. Finally, the bodies of Muslim holy figures have played an important role in the construction of urban environments, ritual practices, and sacred geography. Over the course of the quarter, we shall examine case studies that address some of these major themes and issues.

Learning Objectives

(1) Familiarity with the Islamic tradition.
(2) Facility in the technical vocabulary and theories of religious embodiment.
(3) Skills in persuasive writing.

Class Materials (Required)

Readings will be made available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Ethics & Values Distro Area