Classical Islamic Theology and Philosophy
COL 354
Fall 2026
| Section:
01
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| This course may be repeated for credit. |
| Crosslisting:
PHIL 323 |
This course is a close-reading seminar on major debates in classical Islamic theology (kalam) and philosophy (falsafa). Instead of surveying Islamic civilization broadly, we will focus on key philosophical and theological problems that shaped disagreements among Muslim thinkers between the ninth and thirteenth centuries.
What can human beings truly know, and what are the limits of reason? Can truths about God, the soul, and the universe be demonstrated philosophically, or do they depend on revelation? Is philosophy an independent path to truth, or must it answer to theology? Is the world necessary or contingent? How should causation be understood? What counts as a legitimate method in theology or philosophy?
We will examine these questions through sustained engagement with Islamic sources in English translation. Readings include works by al-Farabi, Avicenna, al-Ghazali, and Averroes, alongside theological writings from major Islamic traditions. Particular attention will be given to tensions between philosophical and theological approaches, and to later efforts within theology to challenge, refine, or defend philosophical reasoning.
Although we will situate these debates historically, the primary emphasis of the course is on close reading, careful reconstruction of arguments, and philosophical analysis. Our aim is to understand what Islamic theologians and philosophers themselves took to be at stake in engaging these debates within their own intellectual traditions.
An associated Arabic CLAC (Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum) section will be offered alongside this course. While not required, students at any level of Arabic who wish to engage our sources in their original language are welcome to enroll. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA COL |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
| Instructor(s): Jarada,Hadel Times: .M.W... 10:50AM-12:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 4 | SO: 4 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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