Sufism

This schedule is subject to change.

Course Schedule

1. Basics of Islam (January 10-19)

   Sells, 11-26.
   Sells 29-56.
   Ernst, Chapter 2
   Qur'an and Hadith handouts




2. Foundations of Sufism (Jan 24-Feb 2)

   Sufi interpretation of the Qur'an, Sells, 75-96
   Annemarie Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam, chapter 2
   (Electronic Reserves)
   Early asceticism and Love and Utter Devotion. (Rabi`a) Sells, pp. 151-170
   Watching the ego-Muhasibi. Sells, 176-195




3. Experiencing the Divine (Feb 7-28)

   Qushayri, Defining the terms of Sufi Discourse. Sells 97-150
   Sarraj, Sells: 196-211
   Bistami, Sells: 212-250
   Junayd, Sells: 251-265
   Hallaj, Sells: 266-280
   Ruzbihan Baqli, The Unveiling of Secrets




4. Midterm(Mar 2)

5. Spring Break (March 6-12)

6. Sufi Practice, Discipline and Organization(March 14-16)

   Veneration of Saints, Ernst Chapter 3
   Ritual remembrance of God, Ernst chapter 4
   optional/graduate students Waley, "Contemplative Disciplines in early Persian Sufism," in Heritage of Sufism (Electronic Reserves)
   Ernst, Chapter 5
   EI2, s.v. "Tarika"
   
   Paper 1 due March 16




7. Poetic and Musical expression (Mar 21-23)

   Ernst, Chapters 6 and 7
   Schimmel, "The Voice of Love Mystical poetry in Islam: Maulana Jalauddin Rumi," in Mystics of the Book (Electronic Reserves)
   Sufi music and poetry to be handed out in class
   Excellent annotated translation of Rumi's Masnavi
   

   Read specifically "The Song of the Reed" in Parts I and II and III. Read also "The Rider and the Man Who Swallowed a Snake" See also the Quatrains, which are short and cryptic and often beautiful. Of his Ghazals, see, "On the day of my death," "One Soul, You and I," "Your Sweet Essence,"and "You are my Sultan." In order to get any of this, however, you must read the commentary below the text.





8. Problem of defining Sufism (Mar 28-30)

   Ernst, xi-xxi, and 1-31




9. Sufism between modernity and tradition (April 4-27)

   • Elizabeth Sirriyeh, Sufis and Anti Sufis
   
   
   • April 4-6: Chapters 1 and 2
   • April 11-13: Chapter 3
   • April 18-20: Chapters 4 and 6

   Ernst, Chapter 8
   

   April 25-27: Sheyh Galip, Beauty And Love (Mla Texts and Translations), translated by Victoria Rowe Holbrook
   

   Ten minute presentations of group projects on the Tariqas.

   
   
   Links to discussions of the debate over Sufism
   

10. Second Paper due: April 27



11. Last day of Class: Thursday, April 27
12. Final Exam: Tuesday, Tuesday May 2, 12:30 p.m. Bring a blue book!