Reading Classical Arabic historians

Module Code:

155901334

Unit value:

1

Year of study:

Year 4

Taught in:

Full Year

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

On successful completion of this module a student will be able to:

1. read and understand the Arabic texts of a number of important historians of the first six centuries of Islam.
2. gain a firm grounding in the origins and development of early Arabic historiography.
3. demonstrate the manuscript tradition of the texts and their importance as sources for the history of the period.
4. demonstrate a firm understanding of the forms and functions of narrative in classical Arabic prose literature.

Workload

Total of 20 weeks teaching with 2 hours classroom contact per week consisting of a 1 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial.

Scope and syllabus

This module will examine a selection of important historical texts. These will include the following: al-Baladhuri’s account of the Islamic conquest of Syria in the Futuh al-Buldan, al-Tabari’s account of the death of the caliph al-Amin from the Ta’rikh al-Rusuk wa’l-muluk,, Miskawayh’s description of the accession of the caliph al-Muqtadir in the Tajarib al-umam, Abu Shama’s Dhayl al-rawdatayn, Ibn al-Athir’s account of the Mongol conquest of north east Iran in his Kamil f’l-Ta’rikh.

Method of assessment

One three-hour written examination taken in May/June (50%); one essay of 2,000 words to be submitted on Friday, week 1, term 2 (25%); one essay of 2,000 words to be submitted on Friday, week 1, term 3 (25%).

Suggested reading

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