The course covers the period from the emergence
of Islam to the end of Abbasid rule in Baghdad, and focuses
on the central lands of Islam. After a chronological review
of the political processes of expansion, state-formation,
and decentralization, various aspects of social and
intellectual life are examined. Topics to be covered
include : the question of unity and diversity in Islamic
history; the development of the religious sciences,
law, political thought and philosophy; social hierarchies in
theory and practice; and economic life and thought.
For the possibility of being taken as a graduate course,
subject to additional readings and work requirements,
see HIST 531.
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