Module ARAM248 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
ARAM248: Texts and Traditions in Islamic Intellectual History
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
This module will introduce you to core texts in Islamic intellectual history. You will obtain deep insights into the evolution of Islamic thought and civilisation. You will develop an understanding of both the specific contexts of the texts studied as well as of their significance for universal history. In addition to learning about the texts studied, you will also acquire the skills to read, contextualise and analyse primary sources, explore and assess the scholarly literature, build on the existing knowledge and identify gaps as well as problematic areas necessitating reconsideration. These skills will prepare you for producing original research in the dynamic field of Islamic intellectual history, which is also linked to social and political as well as other cultural outputs, such as art, architecture, music, etc. The formative assessment for the module consists of a presentation followed by a discussion. This will prepare you for presenting at conferences and similar professional meetings. It will also give you the opportunity to present the outline of your research and integrate the feedback received while producing your summative assessment, an academic essay.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. acquire the skills necessary for the close reading and in depth study of key texts in Islamic intellectual history; 2. reach the ability to contextualise primary sources and discuss their significance both for the study of the close context of their production and for the overall evolution of Islamic and universal intellectual history. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. develop an understanding the importance and the methods of text-based studies in the field of Islamic studies; 4. build up an overview of Islamic intellectual history and its links to social and political history as well as to other cultural outputs; 5. attain the ability to locate Islamic intellectual history in universal history of humankind, including such fields as religious studies, philosophy, literature and political thought. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. produce original research based on the exploration and assessment of secondary sources (available scholarly literature) and the study of primary sources (original texts); 7. prepare and deliver a conference-style oral presentation 8. participate in scholarly/collegial discussions, give, accept and respond to feedback by peers; 9. present your research in clear and accessible manned in writing in the form of an academic essay. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
The module’s content may vary from year to year, but the syllabus will always consists of readings and in-class discussion of key primary sources of Islamic intellectual history, as well as of relevant scholarly studies. Depending on the number of students taking the module, one, two or even more classes will be dedicated to student presentations and the following discussion.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hr. classes (lectures and discussion based on the required readings). |
| Guided independent study | 48 | Reading the set texts. |
| Guided independent study | 80 | Research and writing up of final term 3,750-word essay. The title and structure of the essay is determined in consultation with your module convenor. The formative assessment will provide you an opportunity to present your outline for the essay and receive feedback both from the module convenor and the other students in the module. |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
