This course provides an in-depth exploration of the early, formative period of Islam from the pre-Islamic context of the revelation of the Qur'an through the establishment of a religious "orthodoxy", roughly from 600-1111. This period witnessed the establishment of an Islamic empire, the formation of Islamic institutions of law, theology, conceptions of history, and political theory. It was the crucial period when many of the divergent approaches to problems of religious and political authority emerged. For this reason, this period has had a seminal impact on the subsequent religious, political and social developments in the Islamic world, and continues to be hotly contested to this day. Through a close reading of primary texts, we will investigate these developments, focusing on the debates surrounding different interpretations of the texts. Format: discussion. Evaluation will be based on five 6-page papers and participation in class debates. No prerequisite. Enrollment limit: 30. Open to all classes. Groups C and D

Hour: RINGER