New Introductory Courses in History (200-0-26)

Topic

Medieval Islamic World

Instructors

Aisha Valiulla

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L06: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Medieval Islamic World

For many people, the premodern Islamic world is a fabled Arabian Nights-type place, with princesses, domes, genies, and adventure. Popular depictions such as Aladdin (1992) emphasize perfumed women in harems, bearded sultans in turbans, deserts and palaces, sword and horse. But what was it really like? Using primary sources and scholarly literature, this course analyzes medieval Islamic history from the advent of Islam in the seventh century up to the aftermath of the Mongol conquests of the thirteenth century to understand the political, cultural, and socio-religious contours of the medieval Islamic world. Through the eyes of scholars, travelers, writers, and merchants, we will explore pluralism, mobility, and cosmopolitanism within the Dar al Islam, which stretched from the Atlantic to the South China Sea. We will study the foundations of Islamic belief and praxis, their transformations during the medieval period, and the theological debates that shaped them. In conjunction with political history, we will consider intellectual and literary history to illuminate an innovative, rich, and vibrant civilization. And we will interrogate historical narratives about this past and why, now more than ever, the medieval Islamic world needs to be revisited.

Learning Objectives

1) Learn important events and agents that shaped the medieval Islamic world 2) Analyze and synthesize primary and secondary sources to articulate a written argument 3) Apply medieval concepts of globalism and pluralism to better understand our interconnected present.

Evaluation Method

Response papers, midterm and final exams.

Class Notes

History Major Concentration(s): Asia/Middle East, Africa/Middle East, Global
History Minor Concentration(s): Middle East, Africa, Asia, Environment

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is restricted to History Majors and Minors only until the end of pre-registration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites (if any)