REL 300 6 - Medieval Islamic Society

Exploration of Islamic society, history, and civilization from 1258, which marks the end of the Abbasid Caliphate as a result of the Mongol invasions, to 1798, the date of Napoleon Bonaparte’s arrival in Egypt, which is the traditional date marking the beginning of the modern period in the Muslim world. This period represents a remarkable intellectual florescence within the Islamic tradition, the transformation of cultural institutions, and a geo-political shift from the Arab world to Asia. We will explore life, intellectual currents, politics and law, institutions, gender relations, and culture under Muslim rule within the context of the major political powers, including the Mamluk, Timurid, Safavid, Mughal, and Ottoman dynasties. This course does not require any prior coursework in Islam. (Group III) (Diversity)