Comparative Mysticisms syllabus
From Silvers
Comparative Mysticisms
Class Hours: W/F 12:20-2:10
Location: Tisch 205
Office Hours: Thursday 12-3 PM or by appointment
Contents |
Course Description
This course will be a study of the mystical traditions of Islam and Christianity through close readings of the works of two influential thinkers from the medieval period: Ibn al-`Arabi, and Meister Eckhart. We will treat each thinker individually, but also consider their relationship to one another through the common influence of Neo-Platonism on their understanding of the nature of Being and its expression through the created world. To that end, the course will begin with a brief discussion of the Greek in Arabic translation movement and an introduction to Neo-Platonism.
Course Requirements
- Critical Reading and Discussion 40%
- 3 Papers 60%
Critical Reading and Discussion
The following parts of Critical Reading and Discussion are the most important:
- Have a list ready--every single class--of what you think are the major points to be discussed from the reading. Be ready to volunteer those points and refine them as we discuss what we will cover that day each start of class.
- All the reading will be done on time.
- All your questions and comments will arise directly from the texts. Our discussions will stay close to the text in every class.
- I will ask you questions whether or not you volunteer to speak. I will ask follow up questions when you do speak.
- There is no escape.
Papers
There will be one paper on each section of 10-15 pages a piece. Each paper will be on one theme discussed in class from the assigned reading. No outside sources will be necessary.
- Click through to read How I grade Papers
- Click through to read Submitting Papers
Required Reading
From the Bookstore
- W.C. Chittick, The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn al-`Arabi’s Metaphysics of Imagination
- Meister Eckhart, The Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises, and Defense
- Lloyd Gerson, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Plotinus
- Parts of the CCP will be assigned reading. Students are advised to read the parts related to the subject under discussion on their own.
In the Library or on your Bookshelf:
- The New Revised Standard Edition of the Bible: Any academic-use Bible is fine.
- The Qur'an: Avoid using the Arberry translation because its verse numbering does not correspond to accepted usage. Its number scheme will not match the citations in SPK. If you can find a Qur'an translation that transliterates the Arabic as well, you may find it useful.
Handout
- "The Theology of Aristotle", selections from the Enneads and commentary from the Arabic source
Course Schedule
1/24: Introduction to Course and the Greek into Arabic Movement
Neo-Platonism and Transmission of Knowledge
1/26: CCP: "Introduction," "The Platonic Tradition"
1/31: CCP: "Plotinus' Metaphysics of the One"
2/7: Guest Speaker: Gendered Transmission of Knowledge in Early Islam
2/9: Gender discussion wrap up
2/14: "On Soul and Intellect," and "Body and Soul"
2/16: "On Soul" cont.
2/21: "Theology of Aristotle" pages marked at top 1-10
2/23: Disscusion Day
Ibn al-`Arabi
2/28: SPK, “Introduction,” “Overview"
3/2: SPK, pages 33-51
3/7: SPK, pages 77-96
- Section 1 Paper due
two days lost to snow days
3/21: SPK, pages 96-124
3/23: SPK, pages 242-288
3/26: SPK, pages 289-309
3/28: SPK, pages 333-381
Meister Eckhart
4/4: CCP: "Plotinus and Christian Philosophy"
4/6: ME, “Introduction”
4/11 ME, “Selections from the Commentaries on Genesis”
- Section 2 paper due
4/13: ME, “Selections from the Commentaries on John”
4/18: ME, “Selected Sermons”
4/20: ME, “On Detachment"
Course Conclusion
4/25: Course Summary
4/27: Course Summary
- Section 3 paper due
