ISL483 Islamic History: Caliphate Era (8)

This subject discusses critically the history of Muslim societies and civilisations from the time of the death of Prophet Muhammad to the end of the Caliphate era. The periods of Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Umayyad Empire, the Abbasid Empire, the Ottoman Caliphate and other major sultanates will be studied. There will be particular focus on the major historic events as well as the intellectual, economic, social and cultural aspects of the Islamic civilisations. The Muslim contribution to science and civilisation will be evaluated critically. The decline of the Muslim world will also be covered.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
Online
United Theological College

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: ISL483. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation

Enrolment Restrictions

Master of Islamic Studies (Articulated Set)

Subject Relationships

isl383 Paired Subject

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to understand critically the major events of the Rightly Guided era and the first schism in Islamic history;
  • be able to evaluate critically how the Crusades and the Mongol invasion of the Muslim world produced a new world order;
  • be able to discuss critically the internal and external factors responsible for the rise and decline of the Muslim world from 15th to 19th century;
  • be able to demonstrate in-depth understanding of the intellectual, cultural, social and economic scale of the Islamic civilisation; and
  • be able to evaluate critically the Muslim contribution to science and human civilisation.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Rightly Guided Caliphs (632-661)
  • Great Arab-Muslim conquests and the Umayyads
  • The Abbasid Empire and the worldwide diffusion of Islam
  • The Muslim contribution to science and civilisation
  • The Crusades and their impact on Europe and the Muslim World
  • Mongol invasion and Seljuks
  • Birth of the Turkish sultanates - Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals
  • The rise of the Ottoman Empire
  • Decline of the Ottoman Empire and the Muslim world

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of ISL483 in Session 2 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Engagement and participation
10
2
Presentation and response to a set reading
20
3
Essay
40
4
Final exam
30

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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