Sacred Spaces of Islam

3 units

This course traces the development of Islamic sacred space during the seventh to the nineteenth century through case studies of specific cultural groups and their architectural traditions from Spain to India. Readings address both the historical contexts in which buildings were produced as well as the rituals and beliefs that gave them meaning. Special attention is paid to the shifting uses and significances of Islamic holy buildings over time. Critical readings from architectural theory provide students with a basic foundation in the methods and concepts that have shaped scholarly discourse on sacred space in the modern era.