Premodern Islamic Worlds · Middle Eastern, South Asian, And African Studies
I learned about Islam and how it came to be. I learned about its religious background and the important individuals who helped found the Muslim religion. I also learned about researching primary sources about pre-modern Islam, it is difficult and the translations leave information off the table which could be crucial to understanding the source.
I learned how to understand nuanced disagreements in the various Islamic schools of thought and the perspectives Islamic philosophers and scholars had when they issued fatwas and made certain decisions at different points in history. I also learned about Islamic scholars' innovations in multiple fields, from the medical sciences to astronomy to engineering.
Various aspects of premodern Islam - philosophy, art and architecture, religious beliefs, etc.
I learned a great deal about the premodern history of the Islamicate, from empires, to philosophy, to art and architecture.
It's a good class and covers some great material with someone who's very passionate about it at the helm. However, it does need, and will almost certainly get, some refinement. It's hard to say what it will look like the next time it's taught. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2024 Course: MDESUN1003_001_2024_3-PremodernIslamicWorlds : MDESUN1003_001_2024_3 - Premodern Islamic Worlds Instructor: Sarah Bin Tyeer