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DR502K: THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD: RELIGION, HISTORY, LITERATURE (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:38


Course Overview

In this course we will discuss the life of Muhammad, the main prophet of Islam, and the construction of his image in the Muslim sources. The main episodes in the Prophet’s life will be analysed from a number of perspectives, using primary, secondary and extra-Islamic sources in order to achieve a better understanding of the construction of Muhammad’s image by the early Muslims.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 0 credits (0 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Dawoud El-Alami

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Divinity And Religious Studies (DR) (Studied)
  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

In this course we will discuss the biography of the Prophet Muḥammad, the main figure in Islam, through whom the Quran was revealed. The course will look at the existing sources for this biography and the problems that they present to modern scholars. It will examine various research approaches to this topic and discuss the advantages and shortcomings of each approach. Through a discussion of the main episodes in the life of the Prophet we will learn of the various ways for understanding these episodes. The course will also discuss the status of Muhammad against other prophets in Islam and against the Qur’ān; and the relevance of his biography for contemporary Islam.

Further Information & Notes

This course will run in the second half session for 2014/15.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

A 5,000 words essay (70%); a presentation in class (10%); two literature reviews (2x10%).

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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