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ISL874Arts2 Unitsintermediate

A Reader In Muslim Historiography: The Muqaddimah

This course provides postgraduate students with a comprehensive understanding of Muslim Historiography, its theories, definitions, and concepts across various periods. Students will analyze the significance of studying history in relation to Muslims and humanity, familiarize themselves with key texts, and internalize inherent ideas. The course explores classical, medieval, and contemporary perspectives, including the Muslims' conception of history, the development of historiography schools, and the contributions of figures like Ibn Khaldun. It aims to equip students with scholarly thinking about Islamic Historiography.

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156h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Muslim HistoriographyIbn KhaldunIslamic HistoryMuqaddimahMedieval Period

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Definition of Historiography

2

Muslims' Conception of History

3

Development of Historiography

4

Schools of Historiography

5

Sirah and Maghazi Literature

6

Ibn Khaldun's Contribution

7

Selected Muslim Historiographers

8

Sources of History

9

Historiography in Islam and the West

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Historian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Archivist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Islamic Studies Scholar

Apply your skills in this growing field

Researcher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Academic

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AcademiaResearch InstitutionsMuseumsHistorical PreservationReligious Organizations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Starting point: Understanding Islamic Historiography

10h

Unit 1: What is Historiography?

5 study hours
  • Define history and historiography.
  • Identify definitions of history and Islamic historiography.
  • Understand the Qur'anic concept of history.
  • State Ibn Khaldun's views on history.

Unit 2: Muslims' conception of History

5 study hours
  • Identify scholars' definitions of Muslim Historiography.
  • State the Muslims' conception of history.
  • Understand the Qur'anic message concerning past peoples.
Week
2

Module 1: Starting point: Understanding Islamic Historiography

5h

Unit 3: Historical Development of Historiography among the early scholars

5 study hours
  • State the historical origin of Islamic historiography.
  • Understand the Muslims' conception of history.
  • Generate ideas from the Qur'an about past peoples.
Week
3

Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period

5h

Unit 1: Schools of Historiography in Madinah and Iraq

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Distinguish between medieval and classical periods.
  • Understand the early scholars' position to contemporary situations.
  • Review schools of historiography.
Week
4

Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period

5h

Unit 2: The place of Sirah and Maghazi literature in Islamic

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Understand the place of Sirah and Maghazi literature.
  • Distinguish between medieval and classical periods.
  • Relate early scholars' positions to contemporary situations.
Week
5

Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period

5h

Unit 3: Ibn Khaldun: "Father" of Historical Writing

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Know Ibn Khaldun's role in history.
  • Apply Ibn Khaldun's theories.
  • Distinguish between medieval and classical periods.
Week
6

Module 2: Islamic Historiography in the Medieval Period

5h

Unit 4: Historical writings and the 'golden age' of Islam

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Understand the 'golden age' of Islam.
  • Distinguish between medieval and classical periods.
  • Relate early scholars' positions to contemporary situations.
Week
7

Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers

5h

Unit 1: Muhammad ibn Ishaq (d. 151/761)

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Know Ibn Ishaq's role in historiography.
  • Distinguish between medieval and modern periods.
  • Discuss events of the Abbasid dynasty.
Week
8

Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers

5h

Unit 2: Intellectual consensus of al-Waqidi (d.207/823) and Ibn Sa'd (d. 230/845)

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Be familiar with al-Waqidi and Ibn Sa'd's achievements.
  • Distinguish between medieval and modern periods.
  • Discuss events of the Abbasid dynasty.
Week
9

Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers

5h

Unit 3: Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Be familiar with al-Tabari's achievements.
  • Distinguish between medieval and modern periods.
  • Discuss events of the Abbasid dynasty.
Week
10

Module 3: Some Selected Muslim Historiographers

5h

Unit 4: The genealogies of al-Baladhuri

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Be familiar with al-Baladhuri's writings.
  • Distinguish between medieval and modern periods.
  • Discuss events of the Abbasid dynasty.
Week
11

Module 4: Historiography In Islam and Western Culture

5h

Unit 1: What are the sources of history?

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Be familiar with Western and Islamic cultures in history writing.
  • Distinguish between medieval and modern periods.
  • Discuss events of the Abbasid dynasty.
Week
12

Module 4: Historiography In Islam and Western Culture

5h

Unit 2: Importance of History in the live of Contemporary man

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Understand the importance of history.
  • Distinguish between medieval and modern periods.
  • Discuss events of the Abbasid dynasty.
Week
13

Module 4: Historiography In Islam and Western Culture

5h

Unit 3: Muslims versus Western History: Where do we meet?

5 study hours
  • Appreciate the legacy of early Muslim scholars.
  • Know the meeting point of Western and Muslim conceptions of history.
  • Distinguish between medieval and modern periods.
  • Discuss events of the Abbasid dynasty.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review key definitions and concepts from Module 1, focusing on the Qur'anic perspective on history.

2

Create a comparative chart outlining the schools of historiography in Madinah and Iraq (Module 2, Unit 1).

3

Focus on Ibn Khaldun's key ideas and contributions, especially his cyclical theory of history (Module 2, Unit 3).

4

Study the methodologies of selected Muslim historiographers (Module 3), noting their unique approaches and influences.

5

Compare and contrast Islamic and Western perspectives on historiography (Module 4), identifying key areas of convergence and divergence.

6

Practice essay questions related to the tutor-marked assignments, focusing on clear articulation and evidence-based arguments.

7

Create timelines of key events and figures discussed in the course to aid memorization and contextual understanding.

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