Universität Wien

141024 VU Talismans and magic spells: (2025W)

The so-called occult sciences in the Arab-Islamic world

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikawissenschaften, Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismusk
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Tu 09.12. 15:00-16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 07.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 14.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 21.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 28.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 04.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 11.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 18.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 25.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 02.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 16.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 13.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 20.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842
  • Tuesday 27.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal d. Inst. f. Orientalistik UniCampus 1F-O1-3842

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Are the so-called 'occult sciences' science? This is a much debated question in modern research. We will study this current debate and discuss how science can be defined.
More than half a century ago, Manfred Ullmann wrote a monograph on natural and occult sciences in Islam and thus showed their close interrelation. We will analyse their relation and try to understand on which worldview alchemy, magic, astrology and so on are based.
At least from the 14th cen. onwards, adherents and practitioners of occult sciences and Islamic theologians were in opposition to each other. We will study this opposition and try to understand its reasons.
Particularly interesting is the mutual influence of text and object that can be observed in magic and alchemy to which we will pay much attention.

Assessment and permitted materials

participation (no more than three classes missed)
preparation of the assigned reading and tasks
presentation of one's findings (in oral and/or written form)
actively taking part in the discussions in class

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

being present 10%
preparing assigned reading and tasks 30%
presenting one's findings 30%
actively taking part in the discussions 30%

Examination topics

no exam
for further details, see above

Reading list

Günther, Sebastian und Pielow, Dorothee, Die Geheimnisse der oberen und der unteren Welt, 2019

Saif, Liana; Leoni, Francesca; Melvin-Koushki, Matthew und Yahya, Farouk (Hgg.), Islamicate Occult Sciences in Theory and Practice, 2020.

Garcia Probert, Marcela A.und Sijpesteijn, Petra (Hgg.), Amulets and talismans of the Middle East and North Africa in context: transmission, efficacy and collections, 2022

Association in the course directory

AT-1, RP-1, WM-17, WM-25

Last modified: Su 05.10.2025 17:26