90062 - History of Islamic Science (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

Through the perusal of the primary sources (in translation) and the acquisition of theoretical and interpretative tools offered by the contemporary scientific debate, the student will derive the intellectual skills to: have a general and inclusive overview of Islamic science in its chronological, geographical and cultural dimension; to read and analyse the works that marked the way points in the development of Islamic science; to contextualize this segment of the history of premodern science in a larger historical context that includes other traditions, area and cultures.

Course contents

A history of Islamic Science in Images

Through a selections of relevant images (scientific manuscripts, instruments and other), this course offers a theoretical introduction to Islamic science, as well as its development and transmission. General questions - such as literary genres of the sources, fluid transmission and multilingual traditions - will be the starting point to explora particular disciplines such as medicine, astrology, divination, zoography, alchemyand physiognomy.

Arabo-Islamic science will be the banner under which a much broader approach which begins with Antiquity and Late antiquity casting its influence on the Middle Age and Early Modern will be carried out.

Readings/Bibliography

[For the students who attend to the course] The seminar syllabus and the related materials will be available in the online platform 'Insegnamenti online IOL'

[For the students who do not attend to the course] The materials to study for the exam will be available in a dedicated section of the online platform 'Insegnamenti online IOL'

Teaching methods

The course will offer frontal lessons (in class and online) that will take the move from a series of images to introduce the Students to the history of Arabo-Islamic science. Students will be encouraged to follow their specific interests developed during the course, and to present the results of their individual or group research in class. In general, they will be invited to take active part to the discussion in class.

The course will begin on September 23

Assessment methods

[For the Students who attend to the course] Oral examination in which the student will be asked to display his or her knowledge of the contents dealt with during the seminar, as well as the ability to commento on the primary sources and link the different topics dealt with in class. Every student shall select a thematic aspect to explore more in detail, either choosing among the research material suggested by the teacher or proposing a different topic (to be approved by the teacher)

[For the Students who do not attend to the course] the materials marked by an asterisk in the IOL platform + two research topics + 2 readings among those available in the dedicated section of the IOL platform.

Office hours

See the website of Lucia Raggetti