ATS2586 Islam: Principles, civilisations, influences

The unit examines the evolution and influence of Islam, with particular emphasis on the principles underpinning Islamic law, theology, philosophy, arts, and mysticism, and Islamic civilisation in its classic phase. It examines core themes in the Qur'an, and in early works of Islamic history, literature and jurisprudence, as well as the different ways in which these principles were interpreted in practice from a historical perspective. We will review the discussions surrounding the birth of Islam, Islamic pre-modern and modern history, Islamic concepts of God and society, roles of women and minorities, Islamic doctrines, movements, colonial encounters, politics, modernism, and Islam in the world, among other themes. The course materials entail selections from important primary sources, as well as video documentaries.