Seminar, three hours. Introduction to very large body of literature on medieval Islamic history. Selected readings in Arabic that represent cross-section of Islamic historical writings, including Ibn Ishaq's "Sira," Waqidi's "Maghazi," Baladhuri's "Futuh," Tabari's "Ta'rikh," digests of Ya'qubi and Mas'udi, Ibn Khaldun's "Muqaddima," and Maqrizi's topography. Historians studied either to determine their reliability as sources or their view of history and its theoretical foundations. Exploration of sources, research tools, and problems in Islamic history. May be repeated for credit. S/U or letter grading.