Course Description
An introduction to medieval Islamic history and culture, with a special emphasis on the historical role of the Islamic religion. The course will cover the origins, rise, and middle periods of Islamic civilization to approximately 1800 CE. Topics to be covered will include pre-Islamic Arabia, the life and times of Muhammad, the Koran and the basic teachings of Islam, the Islamic conquests and the caliphate, and the major aspects of mature Islamic civilization such as law, sects, theology, science and philosophy, mysticism, literature, art, and the relationship between state and religion. We will also discuss the relevance of these topics for the modern Islamic world.

The undergraduate section satisfies the COAS Social and Historical Studies, Cultural Studies List A, and Intensive Writing requirements. To qualify for Intensive Writing credit it is necessary to also register in COAS W333.