The Islamic World

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

We can define the Islamic world in several ways: the regions in which Muslim populations predominate, states and societies in which the institutions of Islamic civilization flourished, or areas controlled by Muslim rulers. In the modern period, we can view the Islamic world through the lens of colonial experiences, religious revivalism (and its controversies) and efforts to negotiate and reclaim the heritage of classical Islam. The scope of this class is ambitious, but it is also rewarding. To understand the Islamic world one must understand the religion of Islam, its origins, internal debates and development. Exploring Islamic civilization means surveying how this faith brought about conversions and shaped institutions that redefined the world from Andalusia to Indonesia. Finally, understanding the Islamic world today means placing this legacy within the various geopolitical and religious contexts of the modern world. This course grapples with all these tasks.