14245

WiSe 15/16: Major Trends and Thinkers in the Shi'ite Tradition

Eric Ormsby

Comments

The object of the course is to provide a detailed overview of the principal tendencies, schools and thinkers in Shi?ite tradition from its beginnings to recent times. This will be done within a historical context. Thus, the disputed succession to the Prophet Muhammad and the conflict that ensued will be followed by a discussion of the events leading up to, and including, the caliphate of 'Ali ibn abi Talib and the consequences that resulted. The rôle of the early "extremists" (the ghulat) and their doctrines will be studied. There will be a consideration of the formulation of the doctrine of the Imamate and especially the contribution of such figures as that of the sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq. The establishment and formal elaboration of doctrine during the Buyid period, the so-called "Shi'a Century of Islam", will be considered at length, along with its major thinkers. The course will also deal with divergent traditions, such as the Isma'ili, and its major thinkers, such as Nasir-i Khusraw, in some detail. Theologians of the Alamut period, such as Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, will be included. Thinkers of the Safavid period, such as Mir Damad and Mulla Sadra, will be read, and certain of their works, in Arabic or English translation, will be analyzed. The course will continue into modern times, with particular attention given to such figures as al-Khumayni and the theologian Murtada al-Mutahhari, as well to contemporary Reformist theologians in present-day Iran. Finally, since this tradition cannot be understood purely on its own terms, it will be necessary to look too at such major early (and continuing) influences as the Mu'tazilite school of theology. Opponents of the tradition, such as al-Ghazali, will be discussed as well, and their writings examined. close