REL, Sufism – Teaching, Conflicts and Piety (F24)

Sufism is often loosely described as Islamic mysticism and is often idealized as otherworldly and disconnected from everyday religious practices. In contrast, this course will be framed by a historical and regional overview of the many forms Sufism can take among men and women, among learned and uneducated, among people in power or on the margins. We will engage in diverse expressions from all kinds of Sufi environments: poetry, music, various ritual genres and Sufi traditions as part of the Muslim calendar of holidays, Sufism and politics, Sufism and missionary activities. Excursions will be made in the greater Copenhagen area.

The course will be taught in English, but with the possibility to hand in the exam paper in either Danish or English. The classroom teaching and excursions will be concentrated to the first 9 weeks of the semester; supervision of the exam papers will continue throughout the semester.

Students with an interest in piety practices from other religious traditions than Sufism are most welcome to join.