NES 3677

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - January 7, 2018 7:14PM EST
  • Course Catalog - January 7, 2018 7:15PM EST

NES 3677
The Search for the Historical Muhammad

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2017-2018.

As the founder of Islam Muhammad is one of the most influential figures in world history. An important source for his life is the Sira of Ibn Ishaq (d. ca. 761), a biography that opens with Muhammad's birth ca. 570 and ends with his death in 632. If we take the narrative reports in this text at face-value, then Muhammad appears to have been born in the full light of history. But is the Sira a reliable source for the historical Muhammad? In this seminar, we will read this text in its entirely and analyze selected episodes from a critical historical perspective, with special attention to biblical and post-biblical models for the writing of sacred history.

When Offered Fall.

Breadth Requirement (GHB)
Distribution Category (HA-AS)
Course Subfield (RS)
Course Attribute (CU-ITL)

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi:

  • 16215 NES 3677   SEM 101

  •