RELIGION & PHILOSOPHY

Islam in the United States: Belief and Practice on American Soil

Four Zoom Sessions | $140

Wed., Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023, 6:30–8:30 pm MT

Here’s a fact that might seem surprising: Although Islam often seems like a new religion in the U.S. to some, Muslims have been in North America since the 1500s. This course, taught by Associate Professor of Islamic Studies Andrea Stanton, starts with an overview of Islam in colonial America. Explore the roles Islam and Muslims played in early American political thought, including debates on whether a Muslim could be elected president, and how Islam impacted early U.S. foreign policy. Advancing to the 19th century, examine Americans’ relationships with Muslims abroad and with enslaved African Muslims in the U.S. Next, look at early 20th century conversion efforts and their political impact. Moving into the mid-20th century, assess the important role played by the Nation of Islam on African American identity and on domestic politics, and discuss the impact of the Cold War on U.S. foreign policy in the Muslim world. Also, consider the increasing role of immigrant Muslims, first from Ottoman lands and then, after 1960s immigration reform, from other parts of the Muslim world. Evaluate the long shadow of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the Obama, Trump and Biden presidencies. End with an examination of how belief and practice in today’s American Muslim communities have been developing with “American” accents.

Andrea Stanton is an associate professor of Islamic Studies and an affiliate faculty member at DU’s Center for Middle East Studies. With a PhD in Middle East history, she is an expert on contemporary Islam and teaches on Islam and politics, the Qur’an, Islam and gender, and Islam in the U.S.