Readings in Classical Arabic Prose

This course introduces students to major works of classical and post-classical Arabic-Islamic prose, literature, culture, and thought. Through close reading of selected texts, students will gain a foundational understanding of some of the most celebrated Arabic prose masterpieces, many of which have been treasured across time as world classics and have inspired numerous modern and contemporary literary, artistic, and musical adaptations. Organized thematically, the course will also help students develop a broader sense of the chronology and geography of the Arabic-Islamic literary tradition, while exploring its wide range of humanistic themes. In the process, students will deepen both their linguistic skills and their appreciation of the richness and diversity of the Arabic prose heritage.