OSHER 113 - Islamic Civilization

This course will explore the evolution of the Islamic civilization from its origins until its fall. Through the Umayyad and the succeeding Abbasid Caliphate's early phase lies the period of Islamic history known as the Islamic Golden Age, between 692 and 945 AD, with stable political structures and flourishing trade. Major religious and cultural works of the empire were translated into Arabic. The culture inherited Greek, Indic, Assyrian and Persian influences, and a new common civilization formed, based on Islam. An era of high culture and innovation ensued. The goal of this course is to encourage the student to think about Islamic civilization from an historical perspective and to appreciate how Islamic civilization can inform the study of history. Students will understand Islamic civilization, sciences, technology, and medicine in their historical and social contexts during the height of Islamic civilization.