Islamic Historiography
- Arts
- 400 level
- 2 credit units
- 106 pages
- 15 units
This course provides undergraduate students with a comprehensive understanding of Islamic Historiography. It explores the theories, definitions, and concepts of Muslim Historiography across different periods and regions. Students will analyze the significance of studying history in relation to Muslims and humanity, familiarize themselves with key texts, and internalize the ideas within them. The course aims to equip students with the ability to apply historical knowledge to contemporary situations.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 195 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ISL474, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ISL474 · Unit 3 Muslims versus Western History: Where do we meet?
Each module is preceded by a listing of the units contained in it, contents, an introduction; a list of objectives and the main contents in turn precedes each unit, including Self-Assessments Exercises (SAEs). At the end of each unit, you will find one Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA) which you are expected to work on and submit for marking.
What you should be able to do
- Define history and historiography from Islamic perspectives.
- Analyze the development of Islamic historiography across different periods.
- Evaluate the contributions of key Muslim historiographers.
- Compare and contrast Islamic and Western approaches to history.
- Apply historical knowledge to contemporary issues.
- Critically assess historical sources and narratives.
What it prepares you for
- Historian
- Archivist
- Museum Curator
- Academic Researcher
- Cultural Heritage Manager
- Education
- Research
- Cultural Heritage
- Government
- Tourism
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period
Unit 3: Ibn Khaldun: "Father" of Historical Writing
Ibn Khaldun's complex theories on cyclical history and the rise and fall of civilizations require abstract thinking and synthesis of various historical and sociological concepts.
- Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers
Unit 3: Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari
Al-Tabari's extensive use of isnad (chains of narration) and his integration of diverse historical accounts demand critical evaluation and source analysis skills.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 42 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Starting point: Understanding Islamic Historiography
Unit 1: What is Historiography? · 3 hours
Read the definition of historiography and history.. Understand the Qur'anic concept of history.. Study Ibn Khaldun's views on history and the prerequisites of a historian..
- Week 2Module 1: Starting point: Understanding Islamic Historiography
Unit 2: Muslims' conception of History · 3 hours
Identify the Muslims' conception of history.. Analyze the factors that reinforce the conviction to generate historical records.. Reflect on the message of the Qur'an concerning past peoples..
- Week 3Module 1: Starting point: Understanding Islamic Historiography
Unit 3: Historical Development of Historiography among the early scholars · 3 hours
Examine the historical origin of Islamic historiography.. Understand the roles of different regions (Syria, Iraq, Hijaz) in the development of historiography.. Study the influence of Hadith on early historical writings..
- Week 4Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period
Unit 1: Schools of Historiography in Madinah and Iraq · 3 hours
Distinguish between the medieval and classical periods of Islamic historiography.. Study the schools of historiography in Madinah and Iraq.. Analyze the methods employed in each school..
- Week 5Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period
Unit 2: The place of Sirah and Maghazi literature in Islam · 3 hours
Understand the significance of Sirah and Maghazi literature in Islamic scholarship.. Examine the types of materials included in Sirah literature.. Identify key compilers of Maghazi literature..
- Week 6Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period
Unit 3: Ibn Khaldun: "Father" of Historical Writing · 3 hours
Study Ibn Khaldun's life and contributions to historical writing.. Analyze Ibn Khaldun's theories on history and society.. Understand his concept of history as cyclical..
- Week 7Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period
Unit 4: History Writing and the 'golden age' of Islam · 3 hours
Examine the historical context of the 'golden age' of Islam.. Study the intellectual awakening during the Abbasid caliphate.. Analyze the role of Hadith and Adab in historical writing..
- Week 8Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers
Unit 1: Muhammad ibn Ishaq (d. 151/761) · 3 hours
Study Muhammad ibn Ishaq's contributions to historiography.. Analyze his methods and organization of historical material.. Understand his role in the transition from Hadith to history..
- Week 9Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers
Unit 2: Intellectual consensus of al-Waqidi (d.207/823) and Ibn Sa'd (d. 230/845) · 3 hours
Examine the intellectual consensus of al-Waqidi and Ibn Sa'd.. Study their methods for establishing well-attested facts.. Understand their use of scholarly consensus (Ijma) and chronology..
- Week 10Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers
Unit 3: Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari · 3 hours
Study Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari's approach to Hadith historiography.. Analyze his method for verifying historical reports.. Understand his integration of pre-Islamic and Islamic history..
- Week 11Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers
Unit 4: The genealogies of al-Baladhuri · 3 hours
Examine al-Baladhuri's genealogies and their significance.. Study his approach to writing history around prominent families.. Understand his use of irony and freedom from ideological attachment..
- Week 12Module 4: Historiography In Islam and Western Culture
Unit 1: What are the sources of history? · 3 hours
Compare Islamic and Western sources of history.. Understand the Qur'anic vision of history.. Analyze the influence of Greek tradition and Judeo-Christian lore on Western history..
- Week 13Module 4: Historiography In Islam and Western Culture
Unit 2: Importance of History in the life of Contemporary man · 3 hours
Discuss the importance of history in contemporary life.. Analyze the role of history in understanding societal development.. Study Ibn Khaldun's concept of 'assabiyyah' and its relevance today..
Unit 3: Muslims versus Western History: Where do we meet? · 3 hours
Compare Muslim and Western historiography.. Analyze the 'aql-naql' mind and its influence on knowledge creation.. Understand the meeting points and differences between the two approaches..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events and figures in Islamic historiography.
- Summarize the main points of each unit and module.
- Compare and contrast the approaches of different Muslim historiographers.
- Practice answering essay questions on the main topics.
- Review all tutor-marked assignments and feedback.
- Focus on understanding the Qur'anic concept of history and its influence.
- Prepare concise notes on Ibn Khaldun's key theories and concepts.
- Identify the main differences between Islamic and Western historiography.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ISL474 about?
This course provides undergraduate students with a comprehensive understanding of Islamic Historiography. It explores the theories, definitions, and concepts of Muslim Historiography across different periods and regions. Students will analyze the significance of studying history in relation to Muslims and humanity, familiarize themselves with key texts, and internalize the ideas within them. The course aims to equip students with the ability to apply historical knowledge to contemporary situations.
How many units does ISL474 have?
ISL474, Islamic Historiography, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 106 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ISL474?
ISL474 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Arts.
Is ISL474 hard?
ISL474 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does ISL474 take to study?
About 195 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is ISL474 assessed?
ISL474 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with ISL474?
Historian, Archivist, Museum Curator, Academic Researcher and Cultural Heritage Manager.