Some of these questions include: how do certain methods of interpretation change or remain constant through time? In what ways does context affect the writing of exegesis? How do the exegetes classify their work, and how is it classified by the later scholarly community? To answer these questions, and thus to properly trace the development of the genre, requires a study which is both broadly based, but deeply contextualized.
Such a study is too vast for any one scholar to undertake alone, which is why the Institute of Ismaili Studies sponsored a series of meetings for a select group of scholars of Qur'anic exegesis. The first was a pre-conference workshop, held at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR). It was co-sponsored by the Qur'an group at the AAR. The second was a Seminar at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in October, 2009. The end result will be an edited volume focusing on the development of hermeneutics, methods, and techniques of interpretation in the genre of the Qur'anic commentary.
Friday, 31 October 2008, 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM
11:00 - 11:15 Opening remarks: Karen Bauer, The Institute of Ismaili Studies
12:45 - 2:00 Lunch
5:15 - 5:30 Closing Remarks: Gordon Newby, Chair of the Qur'an Group at the AAR
7:00 Reception for panel participants