Class Description
This course is a survey of the literary and intellectual dimensions of cultural production associated with Islam, with an emphasis on masterpieces of Sufism in Persian, including works by Nizami (d. 1209), Attar (d. 1221), Rumi (d. 1273), Sa’di (d. 1291), and Hafez (d. 1390). It is centered on the tension between romance and reason, propriety and transgression, the heart and the brain that uphold the playful dynamic that enlivens Persian poetry. Taking seriously the intertwined nature of history, poetry, and philosophy in Islamic societies, the course covers not only recognizable works and figures but situates them in their intellectual and social contexts; for instance, we will explore the how the most popular form for short love poems in Persian, the ghazal, evolved from the Arabic Qasida and became infused with mystical imagery and concepts. By the end of the course, students will have read excerpts from major Persian literary and mystical works and will understand their intellectual and social contexts. The class concludes with an exploration of how these works have been translated and adapted into modern Western cultural spheres. All readings will be in English.
All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.
Ali Noori is an intellectual historian of premodern Islam. His research focuses on devotional literature and related practices. He is currently Assistant Professor of Global History at Bard Early College Brooklyn. He holds a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
What to Expect
Format: Virtual
Class Capacity: 24
Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged
Materials List
Required
- Instructor-Distributed Materials
- Readings will include some short readings from academic works, but will mostly be Persian literary works in translation.
A Brief Syllabus
- Pre-Islamic Arabic Poetry and the Quran
- The Abbasid court: intellectual and literary formations
- Early Sufism: Formations and Evolution
- Persian Masterpieces: Sa’di, Hafez, Rumi, Nizami’s Layla Majnun
- Sufism goes West: European Orientalism and the American New Age
Cost and Registration
5 Sessions, $200 ($180 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($200), Community Supported ($185), and Sponsor ($215). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
Having trouble signing up? Take a look at our step-by-step guide to registration by clicking here.
RegisterThe views and opinions expressed in this class and/or by the instructor are not necessarily representative of the Newberry. We aim to ensure that in our classes, participants can have respectful disagreement to foster critical thinking. This is a space to challenge and expand our own worldviews to work towards better understanding and appreciating humanity.
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