Level 2: Islamic Studies & Civilization II

This course will cover the beginning of the Umayyad period until the death of Imam al-Ghazali. This is often referred to as the Golden Age of Islam. It is the rich and active period during which the Islamic Sciences developed, and Islamic Civilization took its global and cosmopolitan form advancing all fields of knowledge (sciences, art/architecture, literature, inventions, governance, economics, culture, etc.). The eight weeks will cover: 1. The development of Quranic Studies 2. The emergence of Hadith Studies & Hadith Collections 3. The development of Islamic Schools of Law (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, & Hanbali) 4. The rise of Islamic schools of creed (Aqida & Kalam) We will then look at how each one of the Islamic Sciences developed and matured giving rise to their own methodologies (usul), major figures, and key texts. We will also look at: 5. Several dynasties (Umayyads through the Abbasids to the Seljuks) 6. Political turbulence and stability 7. Economic institutions 8. Geographical expansion of Islam 9. The flourishing of intellectual culture and literary traditions (Translation period & Arabic/Persian poetry) 10. Scientific discoveries and luminaries 11. The development of Islamic art & architecture 12. Muslim travellers 13. Cross-cultural encounters We will end the journey with the great Ghazalian Synthesis by looking at Imam Ghazali’s great contributions to both Islamic religion & civilization.