Course Description
This course will consist of the close reading and contextual study of the tradition of Mada’ih Nabawiyyah (Praise Poems to the Prophet) focusing on three main texts: the Burdahs of Ka’b ibn Zuhayr and al-Busiri, and the Nahj al-Burdah of Ahmad Shawqi, as well as additional related texts from the Arabic tradition. We will examine the texts themselves and the traditions of relics and miracles, commentary, expansion, imitation and translation that grow out of them. Students who work in other Islamic languages are welcome to present related works from other traditions.

Grading
Grades will be based on class attendance and participation (33%); class presentations (33%); and a final research paper (33%).

Prerequisites
Reading knowledge of Classical Arabic.