Readings - 11/20

Session 4: Terminology and Concepts

Readings: Sabra, "The Appropriation and Naturalization of Greek Science in Medieval Islam: A Preliminary Statement" and Brentjes, "The Prison of Categories--'Decline' and Its Company"

• • • What work does it do to call particular ways of knowing in Islamic history “science”? What actor’s categories may be theorized alongside or instead of science?

    • What can terms like occultism, esotericism and mysticism do for the history of science and vice versa?

    • What value-laden terminologies (positive and negative) are at play in the field and in your work?

    • How do you use science in your work?

Recommended: Leoni and Saif, "Introduction," in Islamicate Occult Sciences in Theory and Practice.

Please note the above reading is for the exclusive use of those attending the workshop and not to be circulated or shared beyond this group at this stage. The volume should be available in a couple weeks' time: https://brill.com/view/title/57186

Session 5: Approaches to Science Studies in Africa, Asia and the Diaspora

Panelists: Profs. Geri Augusto, Purnima Dhawan, Chakanetsa Mavhunga, and Projit Mukharji

Readings:

• trans. Akbar, Nuskha Dar Fanni-Falahat

• Augusto, "Plants of Bondage, Limbo Plants, and Liberation Flora: Diasporic Reflections for STS in Africa and Africa in STS"

• Gharipour, "Gardens of Renaissance Europe and the Islamic Empires"

• Mukharji, "Historicizing 'Indian Systems of Knowledge': Ayurveda, Exotic Foods, and Contemporary Antihistorical Holisms"

• Raina, "The vocation of indigenous knowledge and sciences as metaconcepts"

Additional Readings:

Prof. Augusto has graciously provided a copy of her article, 'Knowledge free and 'unfree': Epistemic tensions in plant knowledge at the Cape in the 17th and 18th centuries' (IJAR Nov. 2007) for those interested.

Session 6: Centering Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Islam & Science

Led by Prof. Ahmed Ragab; this session will be Q&A format.

A few readings were discussed during this session; please find the PDFs below!

Ahmed Ragab, 'Islam Intensified: snapshot historiography and the making of Muslim identities'

Liana Saif, 'What is Islamic esotericism?'

Matthew Melvin-Koushki, 'Is (Islamic) Occult Science Science?'