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Islamic History: From Muhammad to Modernity

Delve into the rich and diverse cultural landscape of early Islamic history, examining the life of Muhammad, the development of Sharī‘a, and the profound contributions of the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates. Explore Islamic historiography, theological debates, and the interconnected fields of law, ethics, and aesthetics. Gain fresh insights into the historical impact and modern relevance of Muslim thought.

  • All levels
  • 21 and older
  • $335
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  • Online Classroom
  • 12 hours over 4 sessions

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  • $335/person
  • 12 hours over 4 sessions
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  • Sun, Mar 02 at 2:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Sun, Mar 09 at 2:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Sun, Mar 16 at 2:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Sun, Mar 23 at 2:00pm - 5:00pm
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Class Description

Description

What you'll learn in this lecture class:

Throughout the West, and for centuries, Islam is made to appear a monolith, a cultural and civilizational threat to Christian heritage and values. But even a cursory glance at historical and contemporary materials reveals a rich and diverse cultural landscape, developed over centuries and expressed in the interconnected fields of Islamic sciences, law, ethics, and aesthetic practice—all of which prompts an urgent reevaluation of the historical impact and contemporary relevance of Muslim thought and practice. How did Islam develop—and in relation to what other phenomena? Who was Muhammad as a historical figure, and what was the import of him as a prophet in the early Muslim community? What is Islamic historiography, and how did early Muslim scholars preserve oral and textual materials? What political tensions faced the nascent Muslim world, and what questions and parameters shaped early theological discussions? Is the Qur’an a book of law? How rigid is Shar?‘a as a legal system? What were the major contributions to politics, law, the sciences, and culture during the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates? And what does a contemporary approach to Islamic history look like—and what does it yield? 

In this course, we will interrogate the early history and development of Islam, starting with the life of Muhammad and moving through the first four “rightly guided” Caliphs and the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates. We will examine Islamic legal discourse and analyze theoretical approaches to Islamic history, from its inception to contemporary Islamic studies. With a focus on the religious, social, political, economic, and cultural conditions between the years 632 and 1258 CE, we will attempt to illuminate a wide variety of sources of knowledge by looking into early Islamic historiography, the codification of the Qur’an, the role of the Sunna, and the importance of Shar?‘a in Islamic thought and practice, by way of texts, sources, and schools of thought that span both time and geographical regions. What were the major developments, events, and figures that shaped early Islamic history, and how can a study of them better illuminate our contemporary understanding? Readings, both primary and secondary, will include classical and contemporary Muslim and non-Muslim scholars, such as Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, Alexander Knysh, Wael Hallaq, Ahmed Shahab, Jonathan Brown, Lena Salaymeh, Zahra Ayubi, Amira K. Bennison, and others. 

Remote Learning

This course is available for "remote" learning and will be available to anyone with access to an internet device with a microphone (this includes most models of computers, tablets). Classes will take place with a "Live" instructor at the date/times listed below.

Upon registration, the instructor will send along additional information about how to log-on and participate in the class.

Refund Policy

  • Upon request, we will refund less 5% cancellation fee of a course up until 6 business days before its start date.
  • Students who withdraw after that point but before the first class are entitled to 75% refund or full course credit.
  • After the first class: 50% refund or 75% course credit.
  • No refunds or credits will be given after the second class.

In any event where a customer wants to cancel their enrollment and is eligible for a full refund, a 5% processing fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

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