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Mysticism and Literature
RELIGION 1623

Jointly Offered with: Faculty of Arts & Sciences as COMPLIT 114, Harvard Divinity School as HDS 3802

Course Information

Description

Examines trends, issues and debates in the comparative study of mystical literature.  Close readings of primary works by Jewish, Christian and Muslim authors from the Middle Ages through the 16th century. Topics include poetry and mysticism; allegory, symbolism and Scripture; the rhetoric of ineffability; body and gender; apophasis vs cataphasis; exemplarity and autobiographism; language and experience. Also examines creative engagement of pre-modern mystical literature in selected works by modern authors and literary theorists.

School Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Credits 4
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Course Component Seminar
Subject Religion
Grading Basis FAS Letter Graded
Exam/Final Deadline Dec. 14, 2026
General Education N/A
Quantitative Reasoning with Data N/A
Divisional Distribution Arts and Humanities
Course Level For Undergraduate and Graduate Students