We will address various ways in which gender affected the daily lives, social status and religious practices among Muslims. We will begin with the status of women and ideals of masculinity in the early Islamic community as portrayed through hadith and chronicles, and continue to explore such topics as: courtesans and women’s involvement in poetic culture of the Abbasid empire; the role of and imagination about eunuchs; the development of gendered ideals and mystical meanings of gender in Sufism; same sex love; women as patrons; veiling, seclusion and social status for men and women; and gender and power within the harem, especially during the early Ottoman era. Taught in English. Written assignments may be submitted in English, German, or another language with permission of the instructor.
- Kursleiter/in: Alexandra Cuffel