Class Description
Sunni, Shi'ite, Sufi, Isma'ili, Alawi'te: what do these terms mean? In this extremely popular introductory course, explore the diverse world of Islam. No prior knowledge is necessary.
Since its beginning in seventh century Arabia, the religion of Islam has always shaped and been shaped by complex historical events. This short course will give students a primer on the variety of religious practices that exist today under the banner of Islam. We will discuss the importance of the founder of Islam, the prophet Muhammad, the many ways of interpreting the Qur'an, Islam's holy book, and the diversity of interpretations of Islamic law that exist in modern times.
Ms. Laurel Harig-Khan graduated from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago in 2019 and from Bard College in 2008. She also studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and at the American University of Beirut. She teaches Arabic and courses on the history, culture, and politics of the Middle East and North Africa.
All virtual classes are recorded and made available on a password-protected basis to participants registered in the class. These recordings are available for up to two weeks after the class ends.
Materials List
No Required Materials
Cost and Registration
1 Session, $100 ($90 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We now offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($100), Community Supported ($95), and Sponsor ($105). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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