Nearly half the world’s population are affiliated with either Christianity or Islam. Since Islam’s emergence over 1600 years ago, Christians and Muslims have continually engaged with one another. These encounters have been marked by rivalry and cooperation, violence and peace, polemics and dialogue—including interactions around philosophy and theology, politics and law, prayer and personal piety, and even architecture and public space.

In this innovative and interdisciplinary course, students will be introduced to the academic study of Christian-Muslim Relations and have the opportunity to explore some of its key historical moments, compare the Bible and Qur’an, learn about the perennial theological debates that shape Christian-Muslims dialogue, and engage with examples of how politics and societies have been impacted by Christian-Muslim Relations. For instance, students will learn about the rise of Islam and early Christian perceptions of Muslims, the way the Crusades continue to impact global politics, how Christians and Muslims understand Jesus and Muhammad, and the place of Christian-Muslim Relations in the politics of modern day Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Europe. Through the course, students will have the opportunity to better understand both Christianity and Islam, but more importantly how these two diverse and global religious communities have encountered one another and shaped the world that we live in.