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Culture and Society in the Medieval Islamic World

Vak
2009-2010

This course will examine the daily-life experience of religious minorities, both Muslim and non-Muslim, in the medieval Middle East. Through Arabic narrative sources and documents as well as background secondary readings topics we will treat such topics as the theory and practice of the legal position of non-muslims – where did non-Muslims turn in case of conflict and problems – , the relation between social, economic and political hierarchies and religion, to what extent different Muslim and non-Muslim communities were intertwined, co-existed, competed and how this differed throughout the medieval Middle East.

Rooster

Fridays, 9.15-12 hs. For the most recent update of the timetable click here

Onderwijsvorm

Seminar, weekly attendance and participation required.

Literatuur

  • Literature and readings to be announced in class.

Toetsing

  • Participation and in-class presentation on weekly to be studied literature (40%)

  • Final paper (60%)

Informatie

Prof. dr Petra Sijpesteijn

Blackboard/webpagina

Yes: Blackboard

Opmerkingen

Registration via U-twist.

Overzicht

  • 1 Introduction: sources and problems

  • 2 Early Islam: From Arabs to Muslims

  • 3 Dhimmis in court: Islamic law and other forms of legal recourse

  • 4 A global commercial network: The Genizah and the Indian Ocean Trade

  • 5 Doctors and scientists

  • 6 Egyptian Christians in the Fatimid administration

  • 7 Muslim minorities: The Shi’ites and Alids

  • 8 Muslims at the Norman court in Sicily

  • 9 Who to turn to in distress: Petitions

  • 10 Feasts and rituals

  • 11 Family life: Marriage, divorce and birth

  • 12 Shrines and pilgrimage

  • 13 Convivencia?