RELST 3677

The Search for the Historical Muhammad

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2019-2020.

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 Spring.

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

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