Politics and Authority in Islamic Law and Society

Catalog description

Few courses offer insight into the genesis of Islamic political theory in light of the social and historical circumstances of the medieval period. This seminar seeks to address major trends in political thought of classical Islam. In addition to reading secondary scholarship on social and political aspects of early Muslim society, we will also examine primary sources in translation (Prolegomenon, Book of Ordinances); literary genres, including official state epistles from the medieval period; and the work of Ibn Taymiyya. Finally we will address issues of authority, ethics and gender in contemporary analyses. Enrollment limited to 20. Not open to first year students or sophomores.