Introduction to the Middle East

The course surveys the various factors that shaped the political, religious, cultural and social features of Classical Islamic civilization and Middle Eastern/Islamic history from the sixth century to 1500 AD. Its geographic scope comprises Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain), Central Asia and the territories of the former Ottoman and Safavid empires: Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Arabia, the Caucuses and Iran. Where appropriate, audio-visual material will be utilized.