With at least 1.7 billion adherents, one out of every five people in the world is a Muslim. Islam is the second largest religion in the world and the third largest in the United States. As we study Islam, we examine a religion that dominated and has shaped world history for many centuries. This course includes: an outline of the history of Islam, an introductory survey of the fundamental tenets and practices of the last religion in the Abrahamic tradition, as well as a discussion of contemporary Islam and modern interpretations of the Islamic tradition. The course is divided into three parts: the first focuses on the history of Islam; the second examines Islamic faith, practice, and sources of authority; and the third explores contemporary Islam. No prior knowledge of Islam is expected.

Worldwide, Islam is the second largest religion with one out of every five people alive today being Muslim. In the United States, Islam is the fastest growing religion. It is estimated that 2–3% of the total U.S. population is Muslim and that there are over 3000 mosques in the USA. Muslims are our neighbors, our employers and employees, and our peers. The study of Islam is the study of a religion that is diverse, multi-cultural, and heterogeneous and this heterogeneity is a central aspect of the American Muslim experience. In this course, we discuss the history and creeds of Islam, how it came to the United States and the impact of Muslims on American society including the experiences of African-American Muslims, Muslim immigrants, and new converts. Additionally, we explore contemporary Islam and modern interpretations of the Islamic tradition in the American context.

This course is an overview of environmental issues and Islamic approaches to these challenges based on the major sources of Islam: the Qur’an and the Hadith (i.e., the sayings and actions of the Prophet). We will also discuss Islamic legal structures to protect the environment. Special emphasis will be given to contemporary Islamic activism for the protection of the natural world. We will elaborate on the beauty and spiritualty of nature as laid out in the Islamic sources as well as the legal prohibitions of the destruction of nature. 

One of the most important and lesser known aspects of Islam is its spiritual dimension.  This course is designed to allow students to explore the spiritual tradition of Islam which is also known as Sufism. The course will cover three major themes: the emergence of Islamic spirituality through the Qur’an and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet); the thought of well-known mystics in the Islamic tradition, such as Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 1111) and Jalal al-Din Rumi (d. 1273); and the writings of these and other Sufi masters on mystical interpretations of Islamic references.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the Qur’an, focusing on its origins, structure, content, and eloquence, while examining the development of its textual tradition. Students will also engage with classical and contemporary methods of exegesis (tafsir), analyzing major themes such as monotheism, prophecy, eschatology, justice, and prayer. The course also investigates the Qur’an’s interactions with other Abrahamic scriptures, fostering an understanding of its interfaith dimensions and its role in shaping Islamic and global thought. Through a blend of critical analysis and reflective study, students will gain a nuanced appreciation of the Qur’an’s enduring significance in both religious and cultural contexts.

This course will attempt to answer the question: What is religion? Religion, from the beginnings of humanity, has played an integral role in human development and the development of societies and communities. This course will provide undergraduate students with a basic understanding of the nature of religion and the methods of the study of religion. Throughout this course, the student will learn about the variety of religious approaches to humanity’s problems and perennial questions, such as evil, good, morality, immorality, and the future of humanity. The different texts, basic tenets, and rituals of the world’s major religions will also be closely examined. This course should provide students with a foundation for more consciously observing and better understanding the many different religious beliefs and practices.

Focusing on historical references in the texts of Islam, this course will provide fundamental knowledge and a secure ground for discussion about the relationship of Islam to violence.  A special consideration will be given to an early group, the Kharijite.  Additionally, equal attention will be given to terrorist movements and activities in our modern day, and the environments in which they thrive.  There will also be special emphasis on Islamic law vis-à-vis rebellion and violence.  Students will explore the causes and consequences of the attacks on September 11, 2001. We will use the Qur’an as our primary reference, with occasional references to classical and contemporary Qur’anic interpretations with regard to the concepts of violence, war, and peace.  A special emphasis will be placed on verses that are used by terrorists to justify their actions.