Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning

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The Rise and Fall of the Moorish and Islamic Empire

Level 1 (CQFW Level 4), 10 Credits.

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores the social, political and economic development of the Moors. It examines the origin and development of the word ‘Moor’, the African power structures before the rise of Islam in the 7th century, through to the decline of Moorish rule and the rise of the first European nation state in the 15^th century. The course will increase our knowledge about the civilisational expansion of the Moors and will help us to better understand how the growth in scientific inquiry gave birth to what we would now call the Renaissance and the Enlightenment as well as public education and libraries.

• Session 1: The Sociology of High Culture, Aesthetics and Civilisation.
• Session 2: Introducing the Moors: Ethnicity, Clans, Race, Tribes, and Nations.
• Session 3: The Commercial Enterprises the Moors had with Europe
• Session 4: The Umayyad Dynasty in Al Andulus and the Abbasids of Baghdad
• Session 5: The Almoravides and their Empire of the Two Shores (Africa & Iberia)
• Session 6: The Almohades Courts and their Puritanical Expansion
• Session 7: The Splendour of Moorish Culture in Architecture and City Design
• Session 8: The Cities of Knowledge and the Scholastical Brilliance of Erudites
• Session 9: Ibn Khaldun’s works on: Sociology, Economics and Social History
• Session 10: The Decline of Moorish Rule and the Rise of European Nation States

Who is this course for?

Anyone with an interest in the subject and who wishes to deepen understanding of the broad themes and developments considered in the course through the analysis of historical sources. No previous knowledge is assumed.

Learning and Teaching

Learning and teaching are undertaken by means of small group work. This is a 10-credit course, so there will be two-hour meetings once a week (20 contact hours in all) which will include group discussion, exercises, source analysis and presentation of material on PowerPoint and/or DVD. The aim is ensure that the classes are enjoyable and stimulating for all. This will encourage the development of knowledge and understanding of the topics and ideas discussed in the course.

Coursework and Assessment

Assessment will be through coursework. This may take the form of either one 1500-word essay or a number of shorter written pieces totalling approximately 1500 words, or, with discussion with the tutor, an oral presentation. Coursework will allow a student to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some of the central concepts of the philosophers discussed; also to display their intellectual, discipline-specific and transferable skills.

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved. Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

The most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning. Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

Reading suggestions

Essential 

• Khaldun, Ibn, Translated by Franz Rosenthal. (2005), The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to History, Bollingen Series, Princeton University Press.
• Lane-Poole, Stanley.  (2001), The Muslims in Spain, Goodword Press, New Delhi
• Thomson, Ahmad. & ‘Ata’ ur-Rahman, Muhammad. (1996), Islam in Andulus, Ta-Ha Publisher Limited. London
• Van Sertima, Ivan. Ed, (1999), Golden Age Of The Moor, 6th Printing, Transaction Publishers.

Recommended

• Ahsan, Muhammad.  (2002),  Muslim Heritage and the 21^st Century, Ta-Ha Publishers
• Al-Djazairi, E, A. (2005),  The Hidden Debt to Islamic Civilisation, Bayt Al-Hikma Press.
• Azimabadi, Badr, (1998),  Great Personalities in Islam, Adam Publishers and Distributors, India.
• Baali, Fuad.  (1988), Society, State, and Urbanism: Ibn Khaldun’s Sociological Thought. State University of New York Press.
• Bovill, William, Edward.  (1999),   The Golden Trade Of The Moors, 2^nd Printing, Marcus Wiener Publishers, Princeton
• Davidson, Basil. (1987), The Lost Cities of Africa, Revised Edition. Little Brown and company.
• Davidson, Basil. (1998), West Africa before the Colonial Era: A History to 1850, Longman, London and New York.
• Diop, Cheikh Anta. Trans, Harold Salemson.  (1987), Pre-colonial Black Africa, Lawrence Hill Books
• Hiskett, Mervyn. (1994),  The Course of Islam in Africa, Edinburgh University Press.
• Houston, Dunjee, Drusilla.  (2007), Wonderful Ethiopians of the Ancient Cushite Empire, Forgotten Books.
• Issawi, Charles. Translated & Arranged (2004),  An Arab Philosophy of History, A Darwin Press, Inc. Princeton, USA.
• Jackson, G, John. (1995), Introduction To African Civilisation, A Citadel Press Book, Published by Carol Publishing Group.
• Jackson, G, John. (2000), Man, God and Civilisation, Lushena Books, Chicago.
• Lapidus, M, Ira. (2002). A History of Islamic Societies, Second Edition. Cambridge University Press.
• Mirza, R, Muhammad. & Siddiqi, Iqbal, Muhammad.  (1986), Muslim Contribution to Science, Kazi Publication.
• O’Leary, De Lacy.  (2002), How Greek Science Passed to the Arabs, Goodword Books, New Delhi.
• Rogers, A, Joel.  (1952: 1967),  Sex and Race, Negro – Caucasian Mixing in all Ages and All Lands, (Vol 1). Helga M. Rogers, St Petersburg.
• Rogers, A, Joel.  (1952: 1970),  Sex and Race, A History of White, Negro, and Indian Miscegenation in the two Americas,  (Vol 2).Helga M. Rogers, St Petersburg.
• Rogers, A, Joel.  (1952: 1972),  Sex and Race, Why White and Black Mix in spite of Opposition (Vol 3). Helga M. Rogers, St Petersburg.
• Rogers, A, Joel.  (1980), Nature Knows No Colour Line, Third Edition, Helga M. Rogers, St Petersburg.
• Scott, P, Samuel,  (2007),   History of the Moorish Empire in Europe: Vol II, Elibron Classics Series.
• Scott, P, Samuel,  (2007),  History of the Moorish Empire in Europe: Vol III, Elibron Classics Series.
• Snowden, M, Frank. (1970),   Before Coloured Prejudice, Harvard University Press.
• Snowden, M, Frank. (1970),   Blacks in Antiquity: The Ancient View of Blacks, Harvard University Press.
• Teresi, Dick.  (2002),  Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science – From the Babylonians to the Maya, Simon and Schuster Paperbacks.
• Ul- Hansen, Masud.  (1994) The History of Islam: Classical Period 571-1228, Vol I  3^rd Edition  Islamic Publication, Lahore.
• Ul- Hansen, Masud.  (1994) The History of Islam: Classical Period 1206-1900, Vol  II 4^th Edition  Islamic Publication, Lahore.
• Van Sertima, Ivan. Ed,   (2000),   African Presence in Early Europe, 8^th Printing,  Transaction Publishers.
• Van Sertima, Ivan.  Ed, (2002), African Presence in Early America, 3^rd Printing, Transaction Publishers
• Williams, Chancellor, ( 1987),  The Destruction of Black Civilisation: Great Issues of a Race From 4500 B.C. To 2000 A.D., Third World Press, Chicago, Illinois.
• Windsor, Rudolph.  (2003),  From Babylon To Timbuktu: A History of Ancient  Black Races Including The Black Hebrews, 19^thPrinting, Lushena Books.

Library and Computing Facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University library and computing facilities. You can find out more about these facilities on our website www.cardiff.ac.uk/learn under Student Information, or by ringing the Centre on

(029) 2087 0000.

Accessibility of Courses

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and Dyslexia screening. Please contact the Centre on (029) 2087 0000 for an information leaflet.

Further Information

A range of further information can be found on our web site www.cardiff.ac.uk/learn or in Choices.  This includes the times and dates of courses and an explanation of accreditation and credit levels.