Sufism: A Historical Anthropology

RELIGION 1893 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

Sufism, often described as Islamic “mysticism,” is frequently approached through assumptions about its marginality or sectarian character, as well as through romanticized accounts. This course explores Sufism in its remarkable diversity, past and present. It begins with Sufism’s theological and historical foundations and the development of Sufi institutions and spaces across regions and eras, attending to the voices of Sufis and their critics.

Moving from medieval and early modern Sufism to the modern period, the seminar considers how Islamic devotional practices have engaged with modernity, colonialism, and technological change. Drawing on anthropological and historical scholarship, as well as Islamic literature, students examine how Sufi movements and masters have sustained devotional life amid the development of Islamic societies, through negotiations with non-Muslim rulers and communities, and through the use of print and information technologies. They investigate religious worlds shaped by Sufi performances and interpretations of Islam, including practices of ecstasy and spiritual restoration, and the interpretation of dreams and visions.

The final part of the course follows Sufism, itinerant masters, and devotees across borders, tracing its movement across oceans and its presence in North America.

Course Notes

The instructor will review all petitions in my.Harvard continuously during the enrollment period on a first-come, first-served basis. Students should also send a short note to the instructor over email, introducing themselves and briefly describing their background and motivations for taking the course.