Teaching Islamic Studies in the Age of ISIS, Islamophobia, and the Internet [Hardcover]

How can teachers introduce Islam to students when daily media headlines can prejudice students' perception of the subject? Should Islam be taught differently in secular universities than in colleges with a clear faith-based mission? What are strategies for discussing Islam and violence without perpetuating stereotypes? The contributors ofTeaching Islamic Studies in the Age of ISIS, Islamophobia, and the Internetaddress these challenges head-on and consider approaches to Islamic studies pedagogy, Islamophobia and violence, and suggestions for how to structure courses. These approaches acknowledge the particular challenges faced when teaching a topic that students might initially fear or distrust. Speaking from their own experience, they include examples of collaborative teaching models, reading and media suggestions, and ideas for group assignments that encourage deeper engagement and broader thinking. The contributors also share personal struggles when confronted with students (including Muslim students) and parents who suspected the courses might have ulterior motives. In an age of stereotypes and misrepresentations of Islam, this book offers a range of means by which teachers can encourage students to thoughtfully engage with the topic of Islam.

Sabahat Adil is Assistant Professor of Pre-Modern Arabic Literature and Culture in the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Kecia Ali is Professor of Religion at Boston University. Her books includeSexual Ethics and Islam: Feminist Reflections on Qur'an, Hadith, and JurisprudenceandThe Lives of Muhammad.

Doaa Baumi is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham in the Department of Theology and Religion. She is also Assistant Lecturer at Al Azhar University in the Department of Creed and Philosophy.

Manuela Ceballos is Assistant Professor of Islam at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.ls