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Islamic Literature, Art and Architecture

August 29 - September 8, 2005

 

 Dr. Susan Sperling and Guest Lecturers

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This unit is a small introduction to an immense subject. Islamic literature, art and architecture are as diverse as the many cultures that produced them. Our readings focus on classical Arabic literature of the great cosmopolitan civilizations that flourished between 8^th and the 12^th centuries. Our guest speakers will in some cases expand this focus to contemporary issues as well as to different cultural traditions within the Muslim world.

 Readings are from: Night and Horses and the Desert, edited by Robert Irwin. New York: Anchor Books (2001).

I.                   Monday, August 29, 2005

A. Topics for morning session:

 Historical context: the birth of Islam, Geography and demographics; Diversity of Muslim cultures globally

B. Readings:

The Qur’an (excerpts) pages 30-41

C. Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1.      What are some of the major contributions of Islamic cultures to world civilization?

2.      What are the Five Pillars of Islam? Reflect on these in the context of your own particular perspectives on religious and ethical precepts.

II.                Tuesday, August 30, 2005

A.     Topics for Morning Session

The expansion of Islamic civilization(s), Court Cultures and Wandering Scholars

B.     Readings:

1. Chapter 3 Introduction, pp. 42-50; Chapter 4 Introduction, pp. 68-78

2. Ibn al-Muqaffa (c. 721-757/9 c.e.)

Kalila and Dimna (excerpt) pp. 78-83

3.al-Jahiz (c. 776 -868/9 c.e.)

“In Praise of Books” (Excerpt from the Kitab al-Hayawan

pp. 84-88)

4. al-Mas’udi (896-956 c.e.)

The Meadows of Gold (excerpt)

pp. 105-112

C. Video segment:

Islam: empire of faith

D. Questions

1. Discuss the role of poetry in the court cultures of 7^th –through 10th Century Islam.

2. Reflect upon the significance of books in medieval Islamic societies.

III.             Wednesday, August 31, 2005

A.     Topics

 Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain); Historical context, Courtly Love, Humanism, Influence on western traditions.

B. Readings

1.  Introduction to Chapter 6, pp. 244-254

1. Abd al- Rahman I (Reign 756 -788 c.e.)

Poem on p. 245

2. Ibn Hazm (994 -1064 c.e.)

Excerpts from The Ring Dove

pp. 253-260

3.      al-Mu ‘Tamid (1039 -1095 c.e.)

Andalusian poems

pp. 267-270

C. Video segment

Islam: empire of faith

D. Question

Compare the love poems you have read for this section to Western concepts of romantic love. (This will be a useful preface to some of our discussions of courtly love in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales!)

IV. Thursday, September 1, 2005

A. Guest Lecture: Adriana Valencia, Doctoral Candidate in Architecture, (UC Berkeley)

Islamic Architecture

B. Readings (Al-Andalus continued)

1. Ibn Khafaja (1058 c.e.-1138/9 c.e.)

Poems pp. 288-289

2. Ibn al-‘Arabi (1165-1240 c.e.)

Poem p. 298

3.  Ibn Hamdid (d. 1133 c.e.), Ibn Zaydun (1003-71 c.e.), Wallada bint Al-Mustakei (d. 1091/2 c.e.), and others, pp. 270-283

Happy Labor Day! (Monday, September 4, 2005)

V. Tuesday, September 6, 2005

A. Topics: Islamic Architecture and Art

B. Reading

Ibn Amrak (1333-92 c.e.) and others

pp. 306-313

C. Videos:

1.      The Circle in the Square and/or

2.      Segment:

Islam: empire of faith

D. Questions

1.      How has Islamic art and architecture influenced that of Europe and the Americas?

2.      Why are images of humans discouraged or prohibited in much Islamic art?

VI. Wednesday, September 7, 2005

A. Guest Lecture: Dr. Agha Saeed (UC Berkeley, Chabot, CSU East Bay)

Topic to be announced

B. Questions

To be announced at end of today’s session

VII. Thursday, September 8, 2005

A. Guest Lecture: Professor Ameena Saeed (Chabot)

Women of Contemporary Islamic Societies

B. Questions

1. Discuss the cultural diversity of Islamic societies. Does the fact of this diversity challenge some of you previous assumptions?

2.  Discuss what you have learned from Ms. Saeed’s presentation today.

References (books)

Islam: A Short History, Karen Armstrong, Modern Library (2002)

Islam Today: A Short Introduction to the Muslim World, Akbar Ahmed, London University Press (1999)

Muhammad for Beginners, Ziauddin Sardar and Zafar A. Malik, Cambridge University Press (1994)

Women and Gender in Islam, Leila Ahmed, Yale University Press (1992)

Muslims in America, ed. Yvonne Y. Haddad, Oxford University Press (1993)

Orientalism, Edward Said, Vintage Press (1979)

The Genius of Arab Civilization: Source of Renaissance, John Hayes, ed., New York University Press (1975)

The Legacy of Islam, Thomas Arnold and Alfred Guillaume, eds., Oxford University Press (1968)

Web Sources

A Recent comprehensive report by the Arab Anti-defamation Committee on hate crimes post 9/11. This is a good web source for other information on American Muslim life.

http://www.adc.org/hatecrimes/

An excellent collection of resources on Medieval Islamic cultures, art, philosophy, and Literature

http://www.Fordham.edu/halsall/sbook/d.html

Berkeley’s Center for Middle East Studies Website

http://ias.berkeley.edu/emes/

Berkeley's Interesting collection of islamic history: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Collections/NearEast/islam.old#islam

Architecture Links (SH):

Islamic Architecture Organization. (2005) http://www.islamicarchitecture.org/architecture/

Islamic Arts and Architecture Organization (2004) http://www.islamicart.com/

DeHullu, James (2002) Shalimar http://users.telerama.com/~jdehullu/islam/frames.htm

ISLS Main Page

Chabot College

sh 8/29/05