The course will concentrate on images of men and masculinity in Islamic art in particular and in the Islamic sphere in general. What is masculinity in Islamic context? Can we define it at all? Is the definition coherent? Is it merely a stereotype?

Is there a correlation between the literary image of masculinity and the painted one? Is the image dynamic? And is there really a difference between images of masculinity and femininity? 

These questions will be explored by analyzing three categories:

1. Holy figures such as the Prophet Muhammad and Joseph
2. Historical figures such as Mahmoud of Ghazna – the conqueror of India and the patron of the Shahname and Babur – founder of the Moghul Empire in India
3. Current figures such as Saddam Hussein