Instructor

FranklinLewis
AssociateProfessorofPersian
NearEasternLangandCiv.

IslamicThoughtandLiterature2(c.9501750)
NEHC20602/30602SOSC22100Winter2016d(18Jan15)

DescriptionWesurveythethoughtandliteratureoftheIslamicworldasit
developedacrossabroadgeographicareastretchingfromMoroccoandIberia
Contact:flewis@uchicago.edu
totheMaldivesandIndiaevenintotheNewWorldduringthemiddle
Tel:(773.70)24504
periods(c.9501750C.E.).Throughlectures,secondaryreadingsand
OfficeHours:Pick214
discussionweengagewithavarietyofprimarytextsinEnglishtranslation,as
Fri11:302:00
wellasvariousvisual,auralandmaterialartifacts.Wetracearangeofideas,
institutions,andliteraryworks,consideringthembothontheirownmerits,and
howtheyevolvedinresponsetochanginghistorical,demographicand
Teaching Assistant
religiouscircumstances.Weexploretheinteractionofculture,ethnicity,
Alas,wewillnothaveateaching history,politicsandreligioninthecreationofindividualMuslimidentitiesand
amultifacetedIslamicatecivilization(consistingofitsintellectualmilieu;
assistantthisquarter
literary,artisticandmusicalproduction;socialorganization;scientific,
philosophicalandtheologicalthought;religious,educational,governmental,
Class Meets
commercialandsocialinstitutions;geographic,ethnic,confessional,gender,
socialandspatialconstructs).Inbrief,howdidnoteworthyMuslimsatvarious
MWF10:3011:20inStuart105 pointsandplacesthinkthroughquestionsoflife&death,man&God,faith&
ChalkAccesshere
belief,thesacred&theprofane,law&ethics,traditionvs.innovation,power
&politics,class&gender,self&other?Howdidtheywagewar;makelove;
shapethebuiltenvironment;eat&drink;tellstories;educatetheiryouth;
Final Exam
preservethepast;imaginethefuture;performpiety,devotionandspirituality;
construethevirtuouslifeandrighteouscommunity,etc.?Howdidtheseideas
Fri.18Mar2016,10:3012:30
changeovertime?Whataresomeofthefamous,funny,naughtyandnice

booksreadinthepremodernMuslimworld?
Requirements&Grading

RequiredCourseTexts(purchaseviaAmazonorSeminaryCoOp):
Courseconsistsoflectures;
Egger,VernonHistoryoftheMuslimWorldto1405:

TheMakingof
readings;discussions.Lectures
aCivilization
frequentlyincludematerialnot
Bloom,Jonathan&SheilaBlair,IslamicArts(Phaidon,1997).$18new.
coveredinthereadings.Please
*Other reading selections available online ( ) or on course Chalksite (*)
cometoeachclasshaving
preparedthereadingsspecified
No Electronic Devices! Please do not turn on your computers, tablets or cell
forthatday.Youwillbeasked
phones in class. Useful as these devices are, they also distract us, and
toturnintensmall(1page)
encourage a hyper-linked, rhizomic, multi-tasked mode of reading. But the
assignments;one5pagereview primary texts in this course were written with reed pens dipped in ink, etching
essay(Gradstudentswillwritea each character on paper with a scratching sound, often in exquisite calligraphy,
the pages bound together in valuable manuscripts with lavish bindings - texts
termpaper);twoquizzes,anda
with a tactile as well as intellectual texture, meant to be hand held, read
finalexam
linearly, leafed through, recited from aloud while promenading in a garden,
Coursegradeiscalculatedon:
Participation/Discussion(20%); meditated upon, and memorized. These readings in particular are best
encountered and contemplated as ink on paper, rather than as electrons on a
Assignments(20%);
monitor. (As a side bonus, the kinetic energy of your hand-written notes, as
Essay(20%);
well as the impetus it creates to summarize ideas in your own words, and select
Quizzes(20%)
Finalexam(20%).

IslamicThoughtandLiterature2

FranklinLewis,Winter2016
NEHC 20602/30602, SOSC 22100, ISLM 30602, RLST 20402

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the most relevant information and concepts, tends to make them more memorable. See the studies here1,
or here2, or here3, or here4).
Please PRINT OUT the course readings, take notes on the hard copies as you read, and bring
with you to discussion sessions.
LecturesAttendanceandparticipationarerequired;powerpointslidesoflecturesbecomeavailableon
Chalkattheendofeachweek.Lecturehandoutsandstudyguides,whererelevant,willbeprovidedon
Chalk(inCourseMaterialsorCourseInfo&Syllabus).
AssignmentsToprepareforlecturesanddiscussions,studentsareexpectedtocompletetheassigned
readingsinadvanceoftheclassmeetingwheretheyarementionedontheCourseSchedule.Tenshort
writtenassignments(e.g.,discussionresponses,calendarconversion,mapexercises,papertopic
proposal,thesisstatement,bibliography,etc.),areindicatedonthesyllabus,withinstructionsgivenon
ChalkintheAssignmentsfolder).
ClassParticipation:Discussions&QuizzesDiscussionsessionsaremandatory.Therewillbesome
writtenquizzeshandedoutduringclass:mapquizzes(placingmetropoles&topographicalfeaturesona
blankmap);shortidentificationquizzes(writingashortparagraphexplainingordefiningpersons
authors,artists,rulers,otherhistoricalfigures,concepts&locations/incidents).
FinalTheFinalexam(tentativelyscheduledFriday18March2015)willincludemapquestions
andidentificationquestions(asinthequizzes),plustwoessayquestions.
Essay/PaperDueonMonday14March(4:00pm,inhardcopytomyoffice,214Pick,AND
electronicallytoflewis@uchicago.edu).Graduatestudentswillwritearesearchpaperof
1012pp(nottoexceed5000words,withbibliography);pleasescheduleameetingwiththe
instructortoconsultaboutpossibletopics
StudentsintheCollegewillwriteanessayonasingleprimaryworkorperson
which/whomwehavenotcoveredextensivelyinclass.Thisshouldnotexceed5ppinlength
(2000words);andshouldincludeaseparate(sixth)pageofbibliography.Approvedtopicsare
giveninthefolderEssayTopicsundertheAssignmentssectionofChalk;required
bibliographyformat.Youwillberequiredtosignupforatopic(youmustgetapprovalforany
othertopics);onlyonestudentpertopic.

CourseScheduleandReadingAssignments:N.B.Thesyllabusissubjectto
change.Studentsareresponsibletofollowannouncementsinclass,onChalkandviaemailfor
.anyadjustmentstothereadingsorcourseschedule
:Key to readings sigla
Bloom/Blair = course text book
Egger =course text book
=online source (click on link given in syllabus, or find link on Chalk)
.on Chalk (readings on Chalk are grouped in folders by each week)= *
.Grad students = [Rec]

IslamicThoughtandLiterature2

FranklinLewis,Winter2016
NEHC 20602/30602, SOSC 22100, ISLM 30602, RLST 20402

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IslamicThoughtandLiterature2

FranklinLewis,Winter2016
NEHC 20602/30602, SOSC 22100, ISLM 30602, RLST 20402

Page4of9
WEEK 1 Mapping the Dar al-Islam: The Geopolitical & Cosmic Centers of the
Universe
Mon 4 Jan 2016 = 23 Rabiu l-awwal 1437 Hijri. Orienting Islam: Lived & Imagined Landscapes
Readings: Bloom/Blair,IslamicArts,520and2356(*thesepponChalk)
*LectureHandouts
[Rec] * Hodgson,VentureofIslam

,vol.2,pp.321(manycharts)
Wed6Jan

Muslims&nonMuslimsinMiddleEarth:Peoples,Metropoles,Classes,Climes

Readings: EggerI,AHistoryoftheMuslimWorld,xvxviand13940,229

55
ASSGN1:

*Cooperson,Culture(18pp)
*Karamustafa, Community (10pp)
Introduction/IslamicCalendar+VirtualIsfahanAssignmentdueinclass

Fri8Jan
Discussion: *MuqaddasiontheRegionsofIslam(15pp)

*NasirKhusraw(NaserKhosrow)onEgypt(9pp+map)
*BirunionIndia(14pp)

*MuslimGeographersontheNonMuslimlands(4pp)

*IbnBatutaonMaldivesandCeylon(10pp)
MaldivesFollowup: Islamist Coup 2012 + resortprotests
ASSGN2: Commentsonthereading,asdetailedinCHALK>Assignments.
WEEK 2 Ethnic Pride (Shuubiyya): The Persian Royal Past; Turkic Slaves to Turkic Sultans
Mon11Jan Shahnameh,thePersianImperialCourts,andEthnicPride(Shuubiyya)
Readings: Bloom/Blair,2035,33842+images#105,109,152,181
* Davis, Persian Literature (9pp)
*vonGrunebaum,UnityinDiversity(10pp)
[Rec]:Hodgson,VentureofIslam,vol.1:7999:andvol
,2:135159.
Wed13Jan Persians&Turks.Heroes&Villains.Slaves&Masters.DedeKorkut.
Readings: Harding,TurkishLiterature(10pp)
BernardLewis,RaceandSlaveryintheMiddleEast(~7pp)
*QarakhanidsandConversion,pp6977

ASSGN3: DUE:MapExercise(seeassignmentsonChalk)
Fri15Jan

Discussion: *Ferdowsi:Shahnameh(37pp)

* DedeKorkut,prologue&taleofBughachKhan,sonofDirse
*KayKausontheetiquetteofpleasure(16pp;Chaps.11,1315)
*YusufKhassHajibonchoosingawife(1p)
ASSGN4:
Paragraphwriteupongender&class(seeassignmentsonChalk)

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FranklinLewis,Winter2016
NEHC 20602/30602, SOSC 22100, ISLM 30602, RLST 20402

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WEEK 3 Glossing & Applying Quran: Knowing God, Electing The Caliph

Mon18JanMLKJRDAYNOCLASS.
Readings: MalcolmX,LetterfromMecca(April1964)
MalcolmX,letterurgingAmericatoconverttoIslamtostopracism
MalcolmX,ReturnfromMeccaPressConferencevideo(21May1964)

ASSGN5:Virtuallyvisitamosquehere(pickoneyouhaveneverbeeninside)and
describewhatwasunexpectedaboutit.
Wed20Jan

LivingwiththeQuran;TheologicalideasandcommunitiesTrends(partisansof Ali,
partisansofconsensus)
Readings:EggerI,302308.

*McAuliffe,TheTasksofTraditionandInterpretation(28pp)
*Inscribingscriptureonthewall+Tafsir=exegesis(17pp)
Fri22Jan
Discussion:Quran Sura 1 (al-Fatiha, 7 verses) + Sura 31 (Luqman, 34 verses)
(check Arberry,Pickthall, Yusuf Ali and Rodwell translations, then
enter 001, read & listen: al-Fatiha; then 031, read & hear: Luqman
*ImamalJuwayni,PropheticMiracles,Quran,Right&Wrong(13pp)
*MawardiontheElectionoftheCaliph(18pp)
ASSGN6: WriteownexegesisofQuranSura112(read112atalQuran.info)
WEEK 4 The Shii Century? Ismailis, Fatimids; Sunni Power & Principles
Mon25Jan FatimidMovementandDynasty,IsmailiImams
Readings: EggerI,15462
*IsmailiFatimidImamsandCaliphs(chart)
*DaftaryonShi`ism(ppTBA)
*alSijistani,ProfessionofFaithandtheChristiansCross(4pp)
*HamidalDinalKirmani,ProofsoftheImamate(7pp)
Wed27Jan

PracticeofPolitics&theVocabularyofPower(Sultans,Amirs,A yansandQadis)
Readings: EggerI,14254
*alMutanabbipraiseofSayfalDawla(4pp)
*BayhaqiontheExecutionofHasanak(11pp)
*NizmalMulkongovernment/Sultanate(28pp)
*KalilaandDimna(8pp)
[Rec]:Hodgson2:2169and91135

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FranklinLewis,Winter2016
NEHC 20602/30602, SOSC 22100, ISLM 30602, RLST 20402

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Fri29Jan

Discussion: *alMuayyadfialDinShirazi,Autobiography(12pp)
*alQadialNu man;+*ImadalDin(skipaheadtopp4966)
*BerberConquerorandArabPoetprince(13pp)
*alTanukhi,Tabletalk(kissandtell?)ofaMesopotamianJudge(24pp)
ASSGN7: Discussionwriteup(seeChalk)

WEEK5MadrasasandSufiDevotion:SeljuqResponsestoIsmailiDawaand
SunniLegalism?
Mon1Feb
Gha(z)zali,NezamalMolkandinstitutionalizededucation
Readings: EggerI,21427
Bloom/Blair,131190
[Rec]: Hodgson2:175200,25563andRobinson,Education(38pp)
ASSGN8:Essaytopicandbibliographydue
Wed3Feb
InstitutionalizationofSufism
Readings: EggerI,20514,30816.
[Rec]:Hodgson2:201254
Discussion: *Ghazali(32pp)
Fri5Feb
Sufidevotions,Speculativemysticism,Saintsandpoets:Rumi&IbnArabi
Readings: *F.Lewis,ShamsalDinTabrizi(15pp)
* IbnalJawzisOnDiscipliningtheSoul,(pp2268)
*IbnArabi,BridesofAbsolutenessMeccanRevelationsPoem
*Rumi,Selectedpoems(11pp)
WEEK 6 Poetic and Amorous Moods and Modes: Sacred & Profane; Courtly &
Popular
Mon8Feb
Poetry:FormsandThemesandWhatItsReallyAllAbout
Readings: *Renard,SourcesofHeroicImagery(36pp)
*filmonalBusirisQasidaontheProphetsMantle

[Rec]:Hodgson2:437500.
Discussion:*LyricallovepoemsfromPersiaandAndalusia(TBA)
*Sa di(selectionsTBA)
*Nezami,LayliandMajnunsummary(16pp)
ASSGN9:DUE:Annotatedbibliographyof5sources2sentencesabouteach

Wed10FebThe1001(Arabian)Nights:GenderWarsandOrientalFantasy
Readings: Marn,Women,GenderandSexuality(25pp)
*Ma ruftheCobbler(21pp)

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NEHC 20602/30602, SOSC 22100, ISLM 30602, RLST 20402

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*ArabianNights,StoryoftheHunchback
Fri12Feb

COLLEGEBREAKNoclass

WEEK 7 The End of Times? Nizaris, Crusaders, and Mongols, Oh My!

Mon15Feb NizarisandFranks:JihadisandCrusadersintheDaralIslam
Readings:
Egger,17293
*Assassins(11pp)
*Crusades(28pp)
*IbnRushd
*IbnTaymiyya,lawsofwar
[Rec]: Michot,controversyoverNewMardinFatwa
[Rec]:also Hodgson2:26392.
Wed17Feb TheMongols&IlKhans.TheEndoftheCaliphate,beginningofcyclicalhistory?
Readings: Egger,1948,25783
*Mongols(15pp)
* Guo,HistoryWriting(13pp)
[Rec]: Hodgson2:40017
Fri19Feb
Discussion: *IbnKhaldun,IntroductiontoHistory(60pp)
*Lewis,SexualOccidentation
* Sa disQasidaofLamentontheFalloftheAbbasids(3pp)

WEEK 8 Books, Buildings, Painting: What Things Mean. Philosophy: How

Things Mean.
Mon22FebMamluks,Music&Bookmakers.MonumentalMeaningsofArchitecture&Painting

Readings: Egger(textbook),26776
Hodgson2:41719+[Rec]:continuewith:Hodgson2:41936.
Bloom/Blair,331337,343360.
*SultanHasanComplexAlHarithy
*QadiAhmad,CalligraphersandPainters,pp.4863+10624.
G.Minissale,SynthesisofEuropeanandMughalArt

IslamicThoughtandLiterature2

FranklinLewis,Winter2016
NEHC 20602/30602, SOSC 22100, ISLM 30602, RLST 20402

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Wed24Feb PhilosophyintheIslamiccontext,guestlectureProf.PaulWalker,CMES
Readings: EggerI,199204
*IslamicPhilosophicalProblems(PaulWalkerhandout)
*Taylor,PhilosophyNCHI (30pp)
*IbnTufayl,HayyibnYaqzan(54pp)
Discussion: *IbnSina,Autobiography(9pp)
*Khayym(4pp)

*Maarri(13pp)
ASSGN10:DiscussionWriteup

WEEK 9 Age of Empires: Timurids, Safavids, Mughals, Ottomans

Fri26Feb

Mon29Feb TimuridsandSafavids
*EggerII(since1260),Timur,2731and3446;Safavids,14379
Bloom/Blair,5778,193220
*IbnKhaldunsmeetingwithTimur(11pp)
Wed2Mar GunpowderEmpires:Ottomans&Mughals

Readings:*EggerII(since1260),TheOttomans,6396,TheMughals,194218
Bloom/Blair,295328
*SleymaniyeNecipoglu+virtualtourofSuleymaniye
*Ashikpashazade,TheReignofOsmanGhazi(12pp)

*BusbecqPortraitofSultanSuleymanI(5pp)
[Rec]:*Evliyaelebi,ontheVizierateofIpshirPasha(25pp)
Fri4Mar

Discussion

*SelectionfromAdventuresofAmirHamza(28pp)
*ShipofSulayman(pp.x,14,94115,and188195)
*KtibelebiontheChallengeofFundamentalism(15pp)
*ShahWaliAllah,ConclusiveArgumentfromGod(TBA)
*MuhammadibnAbdalWahhab,WahhabisandISIS/ISIL?

WEEK 10 Science and Medicine and Etiquettes Of Learning

Mon7MarIslamicScienceandMedicine
Readings:EggerI:290316
*Rhazes(3pp)
Intro to IbnAbUaybia,+skimchap.14:FamousEgyptian
physicians
*IbnHazm(17pp)

IslamicThoughtandLiterature2

FranklinLewis,Winter2016
NEHC 20602/30602, SOSC 22100, ISLM 30602, RLST 20402

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* Liebling,ArabicintheSky
Wed9Mar TheDaralIslamOutofIberiatotheOldWorldandtheNewWorld
Readings:*Egger,volume2:Iberia&Inquisition,108116
*MemorandumfortheChanceryCourtofGranada(5pp)
th
* IlyasHannaalMawsili,17ctravelertoSouthAmerica(12pp)
*AbdallahbinAisha,lettersfromFrance,16991700(TBA)
WEEK11
Mon14Mar4:00pmESSAYSDUEinHardcopytoPick214ANDeversiontoflewis@uchicago.edu.
Fri18Mar10:3012:30FINALEXAM