The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World from Coursera

Did you know that Arabic was for centuries the lingua franca in an area stretching from the south of Spain to the Chinese border? Did you know that the Middle East under Muslim rule in those days was the world’s beating heart of trade, but also of science and scholarship?

Did you know that Islam in its formative period was heavily influenced by existing cultures in the region, like Indian, Greek, Persian and Byzantine culture? Did you know that for many centuries after the establishment of the Muslim Empire the majority of the population remained largely Christian and Jewish?

Did you know that they held a protected status in Islamic law? Did you know that this generally open-minded, curious and open society stimulated many great innovations and inventions?

Did you know that European scholarship in the Renaissance leaned heavily on the texts and inventions from the Middle East which were the outcome of this sophisticated advanced society?

In this course we will focus on the fascinating history of the Arabic Medieval World. We will take you on a journey through the Middle Ages starting off in eighth-century Baghdad. Along the old pilgrim trails we will go to places like Mecca, Jerusalem and Najaf. We will show you the impressive markets of places like Cairo and Samarkand. However we will not hide the dark sides of society either, by introducing you to the flourishing widespread slave trade. We will visit the Abbasid court, the Harem of the caliph, and the palace of the Mamluk Sultan. We will show you some beautiful medieval manuscripts, that live on as the silent witnesses of the impressive achievements of scientists and medical doctors of this forgotten era. All along we will present you with historiographical debates and dilemma’s. Reflecting on the way we look at and interpret history. And while taking you on this journey, we will travel back and forth in time explaining to you how events of the past affected and shaped the world as we know it today.

Welcome to the Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World! Enroll now and follow this course for free.

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Testimonial:

Dear Prof. Sijpesteijn

I am sending this email in gratitude for the Leiden University team for this course. Please thank the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs for offering it on Coursera, the Faculty of Humanities for creating the lovely course content and the excellent reading material. Rarely have I seen an MOOC that is this well-researched and thought through. This is in addition to the excellent resources provided and the creative media. I finished the course and presently doing the honors-track.

If I may introduce myself, I am Radi Radi, a Palestinian-Jordanian who lives on "Shajaret Al Dur" St. in Amman, Jordan. It was quite an coincidence to learn about her here. I work as a pilot and currently we are not flying anywhere currently so I thought of finishing this course. I am a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Ryerson Univeristy, Canada and this really felt like the 100-level electives I took in that it really is a university-level course.

I have bought a few books that I have read about in your course and that meant that I have something else to do in this corona-imposed hiatus. After

Once aviation kicks back into gear, I hope to be flying to Amsterdam Again. When that happens, I plan on bringing you guys a gift from Amman for your efforts.

Many Thanks

Radi Radi

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to this Course

Great that you are joining us! In this course you will learn about the Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World. Before you start with the course we invite you to first go through this module and introduce yourself in the forum to meet your fellow learners. If you encounter any difficulties while studying, please let us know in the forum. For technical difficulties or questions regarding the course certificate, you can always contact the Coursera Learner Helpdesk. Good luck & we hope you will enjoy this course!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces history in a way that aligns with how some universities term it

Focuses on history with an emphasis on politics and policy

Covers a range of history topics, from the rise and fall of civilizations to the development of science and technology

Taught by professors with expertise in history, social sciences, and liberal arts

Examines history through multiple lenses, including economic, political, social, and cultural

Provides an opportunity to explore different historical perspectives and interpretations

Reviews summary

Deep dive into medieval arabic world

According to learners, this course provides a deep dive into the fascinating and often misunderstood history of the Medieval Arabic World. Students particularly praised the rich content that explores diverse aspects like cities, religion, trade, power dynamics, and science, challenging common stereotypes. The course structure is seen as well-organized and engaging, suitable for those with little or no prior background, yet offering enough depth to be considered university-level quality. While some found the optional readings extensive, the core material is widely appreciated for its breadth and scholarly approach.

Relevant links to modern world.

"Found it very valuable how they connected historical events to the present day."

"Understanding the medieval period provides great context for today's world."

"It shows how long-ago events still affect the world we live in."

Structured logically for learning.

"The course structure was logical and easy to follow, module by module."

"Liked the way the topics flowed and built upon each other."

"Each module felt like a distinct, digestible unit."

High quality, university-level material.

"This course felt like taking a real history class at a university."

"The academic rigor and depth of research were impressive."

"It's a well-researched and thought-through MOOC, excellent resources provided..."

Dispels common misconceptions.

"Loved how it tackled Orientalism and challenged misconceptions I had about the region."

"Really helped shift my perspective on the history and complexity of the Islamic world."

"The modules on slavery and harems provided a much more nuanced view than typically presented."

Offers comprehensive view of medieval era.

"The course offers a really comprehensive overview of the medieval Arabic world, covering so many different aspects."

"I gained a much deeper understanding of this important historical period."

"Explores the diverse cultural, religious, and economic landscape effectively."

Supplementary materials can be heavy.

"The suggested readings were very extensive; I didn't have time for all of them."

"While valuable, the sheer volume of optional readings felt a bit overwhelming at times."

"Could be a lot of material if you try to do all the extra reading."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World with these activities:

Learn about Islamic history and culture

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Supplement the lectures in this online course by researching the rich history and diverse cultures that existed in the Medieval Islamic world

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Search for online tutorials on Islamic history and culture
Look for guided tutorials from reputable sources
Take notes while you watch the tutorials
Complete any quizzes or exercises that come with the tutorials

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Museum curator

Museum Curators who work with collections of medieval history and art find that Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," provides detailed historical context for the kinds of artifacts and art that they care for and exhibit. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be especially helpful, as they describe the cultural and commercial landscape of the Middle East during the period in which many of these artifacts were created.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists who specialize in Middle Eastern history may take Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," to deepen their understanding of the time periods in which the sites they excavate existed. They would find the modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" most helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archaeologist

Art historian

Art Historians who specialize in medieval art may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in understanding the artistic movements and styles of the Middle East during this period. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be most helpful, as they discuss the cultures and artistic influences of the time.

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Archivist

Archivists who work with collections related to Middle Eastern or Islamic history may take Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," to learn more about the context in which the documents they handle were created. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be especially helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Librarian

Librarians who work in research libraries or special collections related to Middle Eastern or Islamic history may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in understanding the context in which the books and manuscripts they handle were created. The modules on "Science," "The Medieval Islamic City," and "Travel & Religion" would be especially helpful, as they discuss the role of books and scholarship in medieval Middle Eastern society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Middle School Teacher

Middle School Teachers who teach world history or social studies may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," useful for creating engaging and informative lesson plans. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be most helpful, as they provide a comprehensive overview of medieval Middle Eastern society and culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Middle School Teacher

High School Teacher

High School Teachers who teach world history or social studies may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," useful for creating engaging and informative lesson plans. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be most helpful, as they provide a comprehensive overview of medieval Middle Eastern society and culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for High School Teacher

Journalist

Journalists who cover topics related to the Middle East or Islamic history may take Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context of the region. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be most helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists who specialize in the Middle East or Islamic studies may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in understanding the historical context of the region. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be especially helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

See salaries and explore the career path for Anthropologist

Historian

Historians who specialize in the Middle East or Islamic history may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in understanding the historical context of the region. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be especially helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists who specialize in the Middle East or Islamic studies may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in understanding the historical context of the region. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be especially helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Scientist

Sociologist

Sociologists who specialize in the Middle East or Islamic studies may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in understanding the historical context of the region. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be especially helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

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Theologian

Theologians who specialize in Islamic studies may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in understanding the historical context of Islam. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Science" would be especially helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, religious, and intellectual life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

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Writer

Writers who specialize in historical fiction or non-fiction set in the Middle East may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in creating authentic and engaging content. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be especially helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

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Museum Educator

Museum Educators who work in institutions with collections of medieval Islamic art or history may find Dr. Sijpesteijn's course, "The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World," helpful in developing engaging and informative educational programs. The modules on "The Medieval Islamic City," "Travel & Religion," and "Trade" would be especially helpful, as they provide a rich overview of the cultural, commercial, and religious life of the Middle East during the medieval period.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator