Sara Verskin

Author of Barren Women: Religion and Medicine in the Medieval Middle East. Believer in footnotes and block quotes.

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

@LiranYadgar Thanks so much!

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

Has anyone knowledgeable written a comparison of Toqueville's "Democracy in America" and al-Tahtawi's Takhlis al-Ibriz fi Talkhis Bariz ("An Imam in Paris") or written about what was in the literary air such that both these books were produced at the same time?

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

My teacher, Michael Cook: Balzan prize winner and the new holder of the mile run record for U.S. 85-89 year olds.

[Christopher Frey @FreyChristopher]

I just saw that James Redfield passed away. One of the great joys of being a professor at U Chicago was the faculty meetings for the humanities core. It was amazing to teach the Iliad and be able to talk with him about it every week. He was as kind as he was brilliant. RIP

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

Fellow humanities profs: what are your current experiences with screen-free classroom policies? I used to have one a decade ago but I gave up on it. Now I'm wondering if I should bring it back. Interested in hearing arguments both in favor and against.

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

I'm looking for a color-coded map showing the Christian & Islamic world anytime between 967-1096. Ideally, it would have a separate color scheme for Christian and Muslim dominated areas but also have different shades within that division for distinct ruling powers. e.g. Fatamids

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

I first came across this song 11 years ago. It's even funnier now that I'm actually in a department where there are multiple NMC philologists. https://t.co/wHnTT6GCPE

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

I'm teaching a dream course next semester: "Getting Justice: Women, Slaves, and Religious Minorities in the Courts of the pre-Modern M.E." Send me your favorite legal documents. This one, published by Zoe Griffith, is one of mine: https://t.co/6Lrs0TOcD9

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

I'm attending my first IMC conference in Leeds. I'm thinking of combining it with a last-vacation-before-university trip for my 17-y.o. kids, who like medieval history. Has anyone brought their family members to Leeds and set them free to explore? Is this a terrible idea?

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

@LiranYadgar This is great. Thank you so much!

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

More recommendations requested: a scholarly article or chapter in English on the Qarmati sack of Mecca and theft of the Black Stone

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

Requesting suggestions for some academic, well-footnoted articles on the hajj of Mansa Musa, or Mansa Musa's Islamic program more generally.

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

@mindofzaii Hi Zainab! Who is the translator for this edition? Would it be possible for you to email me 1 sample page so I can compare it with the Arabic and the Farah translation and see if it works for me? I'm so glad to learn of your family's store!

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

What is the most accurate, unabridged English translation of the "Adab al-nikah" section of Ghazali's "Ihya"? Every year I assign the Farah translation because it's so easily available and it always introduces problems. I'm trying to be more proactive this year. Recommendations?

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

Looking for short, accessible readings for students on women's mawlid rituals and Shi'ite women's Muharram rituals. For an undergrad Islam and Gender class. Ideally 20-30 pages on each topic. Any time period. Can't assign a whole book. Must be in English.

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

@BanisterMustafa This is so cool! Thank you!

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

I'm prepping a course exploring Islamic history using the hajj as a lens. What are your favorite (clearly written basics and/or interesting specifics) articles and primary sources on the hajj? I have lots but always appreciate more. Non-English recommendations gladly accepted.

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

I have a new article published! Let me know if you are interested in reading it but do not have institutional access. For instructors: the istiftas translated here are very "teachable."

[Sara Verskin @SaraVerskin]

I just read maqama 32 "Jury-Rigged" of Michael Cooperson's "Impostures" (Translation of al-Hariri) and the translation is just astoundingly clever. What a virtuosic piece of scholarship!

[Neil Renic @NC_Renic]

Add "uninvited talks" to your academic CV - when you shared your research with a person against their will