Unit information: Cataclysm and Consolidation: The Foundations of the Islamic World (c.600-1258) (Level I Special Field) in 2017/18

Unit name	Cataclysm and Consolidation: The Foundations of the Islamic World (c.600-1258) (Level I Special Field)
Unit code	HIST20093
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Bessard
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	HIST23008 Special Field Project
School/department	Department of History (Historical Studies)
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit investigates the foundation of Muslim society. It combines broad historical and political narrative with a detailed study of key aspects of the development of religious and intellectual life in early Islam. The unit examines the world in which Islam emerged, looking at the Arab conquests and the major historical developments under the Umayyads and ‘Abbasids. It considers important themes such as the development of sectarian traditions, conversion to Islam, and the crystallization of other intellectual traditions such as mysticism in early Islam. At the end of the unit, the student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the narrative of Islamic history up to 1258 and have knowledge of the key aspects of religious and intellectual developments of the period.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to demonstrate:

1. A strong and detailed understanding of the narrative of Islamic history up to 1258;
2. A firm knowledge of the key aspects of religious and intellectual developments of the period;
3. A good understanding of the pertinent primary and secondary sources;
4. An ability to assess critically prevailing approaches to the subjects covered;
5. An ability to write a competent and well-structured essay making substantial use of primary materials, as appropriate to level I.

Teaching Information

1 x 2 hour seminar weekly

Assessment Information

1 x 2 hour exam (100%) [ILOs 1-5]

Reading and References

- A. Silverstein, Islamic History. A Very Short Introduction (Oxford, 2010) - P. Brown, The World of Late Antiquity (London, 1971), especially chapters 13-16 - F. Donner, The Early Islamic Conquests (Princeton, 1981), pp. 251-71; ‘The Formation of the Islamic State’, Journal of the American Oriental Society 86 (1986), pp. 283-296 - J. Lassner, The Shaping of ‘Abbasid Rule (Princeton, 1980) - M. Q. Zaman, ‘The Caliphs, the ‘ulama’ and the law: defining the role and function of the caliph in the early ‘Abbasid Period’, Islamic Law and Society 4 (1997), pp. 1-36 - G. Makdisi, ‘Sunni Revival’, in D. S. Richards (ed.), Islamic Civilisation 950-1150 (Oxford, 1973), pp. 155-168.