Introduction to Islamic Civilization
NE 229A and JSIS 210A
Winter 2023 Tu Th 2:30-3:50
Professor Paula Holmes-Eber
Email: pholmese@u.washington.edu
Office hours: Tu Th 1:00-200 in person or by appointment/Zoom
Office: Denny M220D
TA Corinna Nichols
Email: cor1nna@uw.edu
Discussion sections: Friday 1:30-2:20 and 2:30-3:20
Office hours: Mondays 10am online/Zoom and Friday 11:30-12:30 in person
Office: Denny 400
This class will provide students with a solid grounding in both the history, texts and principles of Islam, and the diverse expressions and varied cultural practices of the religion around the world. Topics covered will include: the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the rise of Islam; Islamic texts; Islamic law and theological debates; divergent Islamic interpretations (including Shi’ism and Sufism); the daily practice of Islam; Islamic arts and civilization; the role of women; and contemporary Muslim religious movements and debates. In order to provide a broad introduction to such a rich and complex subject, classes will include lectures, films, music, poetry readings, Islamic social media, and a field trip to the Islamic Art collection at the Seattle Art Museum. Throughout the course, students will be taught to distinguish between the textual theological system of Islam and its many diverse interpretations and practices around the globe.
Course reading (available at the University Bookstore and online)
Carole Hillenbrand, 2015. Introduction to Islam: Beliefs and Practices in Historical Perspective. Thames and Hudson
Seddon and Bokhari, 2017. The complete illustrated guide to Islam. Hermes House OR
Seddon, Phillips and Bokhari, 2009, The illustrated encyclopedia of Islam, Hermes
(The preferred edition is the 2017 edition, but you can also choose the 2009 edition if you have difficulty getting the book in time. The UW bookstore can order you the 2017 edition delivered to your home or dorm).
Student responsibilities and grading
As an introductory course, this class will emphasize student understanding and knowledge of important concepts and terms. Assessment of students’ learning will consist of a) one short quiz, one assignment and participation in discussion sections; b) one midterm and c) a final exam as follows:
Quiz/assignment/discussion participation (three total) 30%
Midterm exam: 30%
Final exam: 40%
NOTICE: All exams, quizzes and assignments are to be completed by the dates stated in the syllabus. Make-ups will be granted for documented emergencies only and must be requested from the professor (not the TA) in writing. Any student unable to provide evidence of an emergency will be given a failing grade of 0 for the assignment or exam. Corrupted files submitted online will be considered as a non-submission and given a failing grade. It is the student's responsibility to confirm that any file submitted online is readable by the professor and TA.
COURSE SYLLABUS
PART I: HISTORY OF ISLAM AND ISLAMIC CIVILIZATIONS
Week 1 Jan 2-6 The Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslim community
Read: Hillenbrand Chapter 2
Bokhari and Seddon Chapter 1
Week 2 Jan 9-13 The Qur’an and fundamental Islamic beliefs
Read: Hillenbrand Chapter 3
Bokhari and Seddon Chapter 3
Week 3 Jan 16-20 Islamic rule after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni and Shi’a Islam
Read: Hillenbrand Chapter 6
Bokhari and Seddon p. 234-239
Quiz Jan 20 held in the Friday Discussion Section
Week 4 Jan 23-27 The rise of Islamic civilizations around the world
Read: Bokhari and Seddon Chapter 2
Week 5 Jan 30-Feb 3 Art and science in the historic Muslim world
Read: Marcus Milwright, “Art and architecture” Cambridge Histories Online,
Cambridge University Press. 2011 pp. 681-693; 710-721 (on Canvas)
Bokhari and Seddon “Calligraphy” p. 38
“Seeking knowledge” p. 42
“Architecture of mosques” p. 70
“Mathematics, medicine and astronomy” p.72
MIDTERM TUESDAY FEB 7 IN CLASS
PART II: ISLAM AS PRACTICE; DAILY LIFE, INTERPRETATIONS AND CHANGE
Week 6 Feb 9 Religious practice: the duties of Islam
Read: Hillenbrand Chapter 4
Bokhari and Seddon Chapter 4 p. 148-162; 172-178
Week 7 Feb 13-17 Interpreting Islam: Law and theology
Read: Hillenbrand Chapters 5 and 7
Week 8 Feb 20-24 Sufism, Islamic popular traditions and Islamic music, poetry and dance
Read: Hillenbrand Chapter 8
Bokhari and Seddon Chapter 7 pp. 240-246
Art Museum Assignment due online Friday Feb 24 1:00 p.m.
Be prepared to discuss your art selection in discussion section that day.
Week 9 Feb 27-March 3 Islam in daily life: family, holidays, traditions and the role of women
Read: Hillenbrand Chapter 10
Bokhari and Seddon Chapter 4 p. 164-170
Chapter 5
Week 10 March 6-10 Political Islam in the modern world: challenges and conflicts
Read: Hillenbrand Chapter 9
Bokhari and Seddon Chapter 2 p. 102-111
Chapter 6 p. 196-210
FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY MARCH 14 AT 4:30 P.M. – 6:20 P.M.
NOTICE: CLASS REGULATIONS
This class is an in-person class. Students are expected to attend all class lectures and discussion sections. The professor will not be providing recordings of lectures or other virtual learning materials for students who are absent. The midterm and final will be conducted in class at the times specified in the syllabus.
- This class is an in-person class. Students are expected to attend all class lectures and discussion sections. The professor will not be providing recordings of lectures or other virtual learning materials for students who are absent. The midterm and final will be conducted in class at the times specified in the syllabus.
- All exams, quizzes and assignments are to be completed by the dates stated in the syllabus. Make-ups will be granted for documented emergencies only and must be requested from the professor (not the TA) in writing. Any student unable to provide evidence of an emergency will be given a failing grade of 0 for the assignment or exam. Corrupted files submitted online will be considered as a non-submission and given a failing grade. It is the student's responsibility to confirm that any file submitted online is readable by the professor and TA.
- If requested, accommodations will be made for students with physical limitations, on the basis of religion, or other unique needs as long as students alert the professor at the beginning of the course and submit the appropriate UW request form no later than the second Friday of the quarter.
- Given the Covid pandemic, students must follow current UW guidelines. Wearing a mask in class is optional unless mandated otherwise by the university. Any student who is sick with flu-like symptoms should refrain from attending class, and make arrangements for another student or colleague to take notes for them during their absence.