ARTH 247: Islamic Art and Culture

Tohme
This course offers an introduction to the history of Islamic art and architecture from the seventh century to the nineteenth century. The course will address such themes as stylistic change, figural representation, sacred space, and ornament within contemporary political, religious, and social contexts.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Arts, Music, Theatre, Film, Video
Semester: Spring Unit: 1.0

History Department

HIST 219: The Jews of Spain and Lands of Islam

Malino
This course explores the revolutionary social, economic, and cultural transformation of Jews living in Europe and America. Topics include struggles for emancipation, enlightenment and mysticism, immigration, acculturation and economic diversification; also the emergence of anti-Semitism in the West and East, Zionism, the Holocaust and the creation of the state of Israel.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Historical Studies
Semester: Spring Unit: 1.0

Religion Department

REL 108: Introduction to Asian Religions

Kodera
An introduction to the major religions of India, Tibet, China, and Japan with particular attention to universal questions such as how to overcome the human predicament, how to perceive ultimate reality, and what is the meaning of death and the end of the world. Materials taken from Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto. Comparisons made, when appropriate, with Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: Fall, Summer Unit: 1.0

REL 251: Religion in South Asia

Shukla-Bhatt
An examination of religions in South Asia as expressed in sacred texts and arts, religious practices, and institutions from 2500 B.C.E. to the present. Concentration on the origins and development of Brahmanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Sikhism, and the interaction of religious communities in South Asian history.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Historical Studies or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: N/O Unit: 1.0

REL 252: Women in the Religious Worlds of South Asia

Shukla-Bhatt
A historical exploration of religious lives of women in the diverse communities of South Asia. The course will examine both the restrictions on and the opportunities for women in these communities. While it will incorporate religious prescriptions for women in the various traditions of the sub-continent, the focus will be on the expressions of women—writings, rituals, and artistic performances—that reflect their experiences. We will also examine defining historical moments that impacted women in various communities. Films, journals, media presentations and conversations with women in various communities will be extensively used.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Historical Studies or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: Spring Unit: 1.0

REL 260: Islamic Civilization

Rollman (History)
Historical survey of Muslim societies and Islamic cultural forms from the seventh century till the beginnings of the modern period. Topics include literary and artistic expression, architecture, institutions, philosophical and political thought, religious thought and practice. Readings from Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu literature in English translation. Normally alternates with REL 262.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Historical Studies or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: Fall Unit: 1.0

REL 262: The Formation of Islamic Tradition

Marlow
Historical study of the Islamic tradition with particular attention to the seventh to eleventh centuries. Topics include the life of the Prophet Muhammad, the Qur’an, and Qur’anic interpretation, tradition, law, ethics, theology, Shi`i Islam, and Sufism. Attention to the diversity within the Islamic tradition and to the continuing processes of reinterpretation, into the modern period. Normally alternates with REL 260.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Historical Studies or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: N/O Unit: 1.0

REL 263: Islam in the Modern World

Marlow
The role of Islam in the modern history of Turkey, the Arab world, Iran, and South Asia, with particular reference to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Explores the rise of nationalism, secularism, modernism, “fundamentalism,” and revolution in response to the political, socio-economic, and ideological crises of the period. Issues include legal and educational reform, the status of women, dress, and economics. Readings from contemporary Muslim religious scholars, intellectuals, and literary figures.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Historical Studies or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: N/O Unit: 1.0

REL 269: Religion and Culture in Iran

Marlow
An exploration of Iranian civilization from antiquity to the present. Topics include the history of Iran’s diverse religious communities, including Zoroastrians, Jews, Christians, Sunni and Shi’i Muslims, and Baha’is; the establishment of Shi’ism as the state religion of Iran in the early modern period; the dialogue between state and religion throughout much of Iran’s history; the development of a distinctive Perso-Islamic culture and its contact with other Islamic and non-Islamic cultures in and around Iran; relations with South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and the modern West; the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and post-revolutionary Iran. Open to all students.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Historical Studies or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: Spring Unit: 1.0

REL 361 Seminar: Studying Islam and the Middle East

Marlow
An exploration of the study and representation of Islam and West Asia/the Middle East in European and American scholarship and journalism, from the earliest translations of the Qur’an to contemporary issues and debates. Topics include medieval European images of Islam, Orientalism, colonialism, and also the modern press and popular culture.
Prerequisite: Open to juniors and seniors, and sophomores who have taken at least one unit in Middle Eastern Studies.
Distribution: Historical Studies
Semester: Spring Unit: 1.0

REL 362 Seminar: Religion and State in the Islamic World

Marlow
The relationship between religious authority and political legitimacy in the Islamic world from the seventh century to the present. Issues in the premodern period include the problem of justice and the emergence of distinct Sunni and Shi’i ideas of religio-political authority. Issues in the modern period include modernist, secularist, and “fundamentalist” conceptions of religion’s role in the nation state.
Prerequisite: Open to juniors and seniors
Distribution: Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: N/O Unit: 1.0

REL 364 Seminar: Islamic Cultural Studies

Marlow
Topic: Sufism: Islamic Mysticism. An interdisciplinary exploration of the diverse manifestations of mysticism in Islamic contexts. Topics include the emergence of Islamic mysticism in the ninth-century Middle East; the experiences of individual Sufis; the emergence of Sufi orders and the development of the Sufi paths; Sufism and the Islamic legal and philosophical traditions; Sufism in local contexts; and the impact of Sufism on the arts, especially poetry and music. Normally alternates with Topic: Muslim Travellers. Students may take both topics for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to juniors and seniors
Distribution: Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: N/O Unit: 1.0

Al-Muslimat is a part of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Wellesley College
Edited by: Monet Spells
Originally created by: Mona Ali and Aliyah Khalidi
Last Modified on: March 30, 2006