Islam and It’s Discontents
This class is an introductory sketch of the history, outlook, and internal dissensions within the Muslim world from its founding to the 21st century. This will begin with a depiction of the 7th century world into which Muhammad was born. We will look at the timeline of the Prophet and the rapid expansion of Islam across the entire Greater Middle East within a few decades.
We will briefly consider the impact of the Crusades upon the relationship between Europe and the Muslim world that continues to reverberate to the present day. Next we will look at the bitter conflict over who would succeed the Prophet that resulted in the continuing Sunni/Shiite dispute.
We will look at the devastating impact of the partitions imposed upon the region by the European powers following WWI and finally talk about the influence of Syyid Qutb in creating anti-American hostility among some Muslims.
