Tentative Syllabus, Subject to Change
There are two major sections of the course, each divided into two
parts:
The course will be primarily based upon the readings discussed in class, questions and issued posed by the students on those readings at the beginning of each session. Short background lectures will be given to fill in the historical and cultural context of areas that are seen in need of clarification. Other short assignments (such as one page response papers or oral reports) may be assigned ad hoc.
Requirements: 2 short papers (on the close reading genre, CR, see separate sheet), class presentations, consistent attendance and participation, midterm, final, and a 12 page final paper. No extensions are given except for serious illness or family emergency on request from the dean. Late work will be penalized.
Required Readings:
Recommended Reading:
Other Good Introductions, on reserve, with more extenstive treatment.
9/3 Introduction The Course and Section 1b 9/5 Early Islamic Literature and the
Qur'an EIM 29-74 9/10 Qur'an 1: Early Meccan Suras I AQ 1-31, 42-55, 145-163 9/12 Qur'an 1: Early Meccan Suras
II AQ: 55-103, 164-171 9/17 The Qur'anic Understanding of
Spirit 172-207, Sura 19,-- Ramadan
Film 9/19 Qur'anic Narrative Sura 18 Dawood Translation 3 reports 9/24 The Prophets and the Law Suras 11, 12, 19 Dawood
Translation Section 1b 9/26 Sira and Hadith/ Episode of the
Ifk Bukhari, CR due 9/25 10/1 Tafsir and Sacred History EIM: 304-320 Shahrastani 10/3 Qur'anic Theology 10/8 Islamic Philosophy, Hayy ibn
Yaqzan Hayy ibn Yaqzan (selection) EIM
75-96 10/10 Islamic Philosophy, Hayy ibn
Yaqzan Hayy ibn Yaqzan (selection) EIM
97-170 1012-20 Fall Vacation 10/22 Sufism EIM 1-28, 75-96, 151-170 10/24 Sufism EIM 212-250 Bistami 47-57
Mi`raj
10/2 Take Home Midterm (45 minutes) Due
10/29 Arabic Poetry I EIM 53-74 10/31 Arabic Poetry II EIM 97-150, The Mu`allaqa of Labid
(DT) 11/5 Arabic and Hebrew Poetry Labid and the Tradition of the
Qasida 11/7 Arabic Heroic and Love Poetry Shanfara (P), Abu Nuwas
(P) 11/12 Arabic and Hebrew Poetry, Arabic Song
Arabic and Hebrew Poems (P) Film A
Voice Like Egypt 11/14 Persian Poetry Rumi, Hafiz, and other Ghazal Masters
(P), Koushkani Ensemble 11/19 Ottoman and Urdu Poetry Ottoman and Urdu Ghazals, Film of Seemi
Bushra Ghazi Section 2b 11/21 Modern Arabic Fiction Naguib Mahfuz, "Zaabalawi," Tayeb Saleh,
The Wedding of Zein, " 11/22 4PM CR Due 11/26 Modern Arabic Fiction Ghassan Kanafani, Men in the
Sun 11/28 Shi`ism and Mahshid "Martyrdom of Husayn" (p), Mahshid
Amirshahi, "End of the Passion Play" (p) 12/3 Modern Lyric [Begin Season of
Migration] Season of Migration to the
North 12/5 Modern Islamic Fiction II Season of Migration 12/10 The Ancient in the
Contemporary Veiled Sentiments 12/12 Review, Final Paper
Preparation Take Home Exam Questions Given, Class
Evaluation
12/14 (4PM Gest Center) Take Home Exam (45 Minutes) Due
12/21 (Friday, 4PM, Gest Center) Final Paper (10 Pages) Due