RELST 3677

The Search for the Historical Muhammad

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2021-2022 Catalog.

As the founder of Islam Muhammad is one of the most influential figures in world history. An important source for his life is the Sira of Ibn Ishaq (d. ca. 761), a biography that opens with Muhammad's birth ca. 570 and ends with his death in 632. If we take the narrative reports in this text at face-value, then Muhammad appears to have been born in the full light of history. But is the Sira a reliable source for the historical Muhammad? In this seminar, we will read this text in its entirely and analyze selected episodes from a critical historical perspective, with special attention to biblical and post-biblical models for the writing of sacred history.

Course Attribute (CU-ITL)

Distribution Category (HA-AS, ALC-AS, HST-AS)

When Offered Fall.

Breadth Requirement (GHB)

View Enrollment Information