RELI 4110 Islam in the Modern World

Islam is the second largest religion in the world, and shares a rich history with the other Abrahamic faiths of the Middle East. Yet, it is frequently exotified or vilified, especially as it comes in conflict with "Western" culture -- despite the numerous contributions Islam has made to civilization, science, and art. This course will provide an introduction to Islam's history, beliefs, and practices, as well as examine the philosophy and literature of the tradition. We will be looking at imperialism, Orientalism, globalization, feminism, mysticism, and modernity as the tradition evolves and spreads into the global religion it is today.