Module ARA2147 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
ARA2147: Classical Islamic History
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
Building upon the understanding of Islam and its institutions which students acquired in Level One modules, this module will expose them to a more nuanced and profound conception of the subject based on civilisational and historiographical approaches. We will consider the history of the classical period in its most holistic sense comprising the politics of the nascent community and the conquests, the shifts in power and culture signalled by the different dynasties and the formation of 'Islamicate societies' in their cultural variation.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate an understanding of the problematics of studying classical Islam and the contentious issues and historiographical debates that have not yet been resolved by scholars. 2. evidence comprehensive understanding of the methodological tools applied to the study of the history of the Islamic religion, culture and its institutions. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. critically explain the pitfalls of Eurocentric approaches to non-Western societies and culture 4. Demonstrate understanding of, and an ability contextualise, Islamic historiography within approaches to the study of Islam |
| Personal and Key Skills | 5. solve various epistemological problems, whether or not related to Islamic studies, and evidence a capacity to examine critically and review existing historical literature 6. digest, select and organise material to produce, to a deadline, a coherent and cogent argument, developed through the assigned essay. 7. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics
- The rise of Islam and the establishment of the Muslim polity
- Umayyads and �¿Abb��sids
- The pious opposition
- Rise of Shi�¿i dissent and counter-narratives
- Conquest of the East
- Conquest of North Africa and Iberia
- Umayyads and successor states in Iberia
- Almorads and Almoravids
- Problematics of theology, politics and law in Andalus
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 | 11 | Seminar discussions and presentations |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 11 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | 72 | Reading and preparing the texts |
| Guided Independent Study | 56 | Study and preparations for the essay and the exams |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Muhammad Ballan’s excellent blog:
https://ballandalus.wordpress.com
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar oral presentation on a theme or text | 15 minutes | 1-6 | Oral |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 50 | 1.5 hours | 1-7 | Oral and written |
| Essay | 50 | 2000 words | 1-6 | Oral and written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | Exam (1.5 hours) | 1-7 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Essay | Essay (2000 words) | 1-6 | August/September re-assessment period |
