(inscription in the dome of al-masjid al-kabir - Kuwait; ©M.Schlimm)

Webinar in Islamic Material Culture “Communication in Public and Domestic Spaces”
The Social Use of Inscriptions and Epigraphy in the Islamic World

7 classes - Wednesday, 4-6 pm CEST - Starting October 14, 2026

The webinar is part of the ‘Webinar Initiative in Islamic Material Culture’ jointly organized  by The Universität Bonn (Bethany Walker), the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich (Andreas Kaplony), The New York University (Abigail Balbale), and Universität Hamburg (Stefan Heidemann).

Why Inscriptions and Epigraphy?

Seemingly more than the preceding Roman and Sasanian Empire, calligraphy, inscriptions, and epigraphy played a dominant role in public and domestic sphere. All inscriptions, even the iconic illegible have a message to be received: inscriptions glorifying rulers and their victories, about endowments and privileges, about taxes and market regulations, and to the memory of the deceased. We see even an emblemization of script in the public; from the legible message to the pseudo-inscription. What purpose do they serve? This use of epigraphy and inscriptions will also to be discussed in relation to other visual elements and architecture. Communications on a daily basis functions also within the domestic sphere, graffiti, ostraca, and paper notes, which are formulaic and grant privileges and permission. The lecture series I meant to introduce in the various forms of inscriptions and epigraphy and their social use.

Prerequisites for participation

Spoken and written proficiency in English language. The course is open to all advanced students in B.A., M.A., and PhD programs of Islamic studies, historians, art historians, and archaeologists of the Middle East. All students need a computer, a reliable internet access, and a headset. Please apply with a short CV and a motivation letter in English until September 15, 2026. These will be emailed to Prof. Stefan Heidemann at: maximilian.schlimm@uni-hamburg.de. Preference is given to students from universities within the network of the webinar initiative "Islamic Material Culture".

Program

Thu, October 14, 2026 to Jan. 20, 2027. More Information will follow.
 

More information under

https://www.islamic-material-culture.uni-hamburg.de/en/current-webinar.html