University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: See http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/infoug/ugtimetable

In the wake of the early Islamic conquests, between the seventh and twelfth centuries the eastern Islamic world - the regions today comprising Iraq, Iran, and Central Asia - was transformed into a predominantly Muslim society under the broad hegemony of the Caliphs of Baghdad. Indeed, in many ways this region became the cultural, economic and political heart of the Islamic world. This course studies how Iranian and Islamic identity interacted and fused as Arabs migrated and intermarried with local ethnically Iranian populations, creating a new culture expressed in the Persian language that was profoundly influential in the wider Islamic world, and was also adopted by the Turkish dynasties that dominated the region from the eleventh century. Political, cultural and religious change in this formative period of Islamic history will be studied through both literary and material primary sources such as coins and inscriptions.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass at least 60 credits from {ME1003, ME1006, ME2003, HI2001, MH2002} or pass at least 60 credits from {AN1002, AN2002, AN2003, CL2004}

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours: 33

Guided independent study hours: 267

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 40%
Practical examinations : 15%
Coursework: 45%

Re-assessment: 4,000- to 5,000-word essay = 100%

Personnel