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Semester 2

Islamic and Middle Eastern Cultures (IMES08051)

Subject

Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

1

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

The course offers an introduction to the literary, aesthetic and intellectual culture of the Middle East, from the eve of Islam to the modern period. It explores the diverse influences which shaped cultural development during the classical period of Islamic civilization, and assesses the cultural transmissions, conflicts and cross-pollinations which have characterized the interaction between the Muslim world and the West. The course also provides an introduction to the most important resources and scholarly tools used in studying Islamic and Middle Eastern cultures.

Course Description

The course enables students to place the development of Islamic and Middle Eastern cultures in historical and intellectual context. It investigates the influences which shaped cultural development in the Middle East, from the eve of Islam to the modern period, and identifies key concepts in the study of the art, architecture, literature, philosophy and science of the Muslim world. It also provides students with the means to investigate questions relating to Islamic and Middle Eastern cultures and to pursue research projects in this field. Outline of contents: The course explores the diverse influences which shaped the development of art, architecture, literature, philosophy, science and medicine during the classical period of Islamic civilisation. These include the cultural heritages of pre-Islamic Arabia and Sassanid Persia, as well as the philosophical and scientific legacies of India, Egypt and the Hellenistic world. The course also examines the varied interactions between Arabic and Persian culture, the cultural manifestations of Islamic mysticism, and the impact of modern Western thought, culture and colonialism on the art and literature of the modern Middle East.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

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