Sages & Saints: Medieval Muslim & Christian thinkers in Dialogue
The application deadline for this program has passed.
We will begin with an orientation session on Tuesday, August 19 at 5pm Istanbul time. Regular online sessions will be held on August 26, September 2, September 16, September 23, and September 30 at 5pm Istanbul time (9am Central US / 10am Eastern US / 3pm UK / 7pm Lahore).
The 12th to 15th Centuries were a tumultuous yet creative period for both the Christian and the Muslim traditions. This five-week course explores this important period in Muslim and Christian thought by juxtaposing and engaging key Christian & Muslim thinkers who left us a durable legacy. Each week we will explore the historical context and biography of two mystics or theologians, read selected primary texts, and attempt to bring them into dialogue with each other and with our own concerns.
Our approach will be primarily historical, aiming to understand the historical and intellectual contexts that shaped the theologians and mystics we consider. In the course of exploring the intellectual history of this critical period, however, we will inevitably grapple with theology and with convergences and contrasts in how the knowledge of God was pursued in each tradition. For many of our sessions we will invite scholars who have specialized in the study of our various theologians and mystics to join us.
Tentative schedule of sessions:
- August 26. al-Ghazali (1111) & Aquinas (1274)
- September 2. Ibn al-‘Arabi (1240) & Raymond Lull (1315)
- September 16. Rumi (1273) & Catherine of Sienna (1347)
- September 23. Ibn Taymiyya (1328) & Gregory Palamas (1357)
- September 30. ‘Aisha al-Ba’uniyya (1517) & Julian of Norwich (1416)
Sessions will last 2 hours, and we will end promptly at 7pm Istanbul time. Session recordings will be available to participants following our sessions. However, your participation in live Zoom sessions is essential to the success of the program. Please note that we will not hold a class session on September 9.
