TOPICS: CLASSICAL ARABIC LITERATURE (ADAB, 800-1200) in Spring 2027 (CL2091A)

This course aims to have an overall approach of what is commonly called “Adab” and designates broadly Arabic classical literature (mainly from 9th to 13th Century), which enroots in a very specific cultural realm influenced by many legacies, among which Persian and Greek. In what sense Adab can be considered as an Arabic cultural expression on its own? What are the reasons why Adab had become the imperial Arabic culture (with both Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates)? What is the part of the proper Arabic pre-Islamic art of poetry in this expression? What are the different topics and disciplines covered with Adab? Here are some of the issues that will be examined on the basis of numerous texts translated into English.