AP/HUMA 4830 3.00

Religious Authority in Premodern Shiism

Shiism is the oldest self-identified movement in Islam, defined by the belief that Muhammad appointed Ali as his successor and transmitted to the Imams his charismatic authority. The course explores the imprint of these beliefs on pre-modern Shii Quranic exegesis, theology, jurisprudence, mysticism, ritual practices, pilgrimage sites, and religious architecture, and on attitudes to political authority, gender, and religious diversity.