Islam: Religion, Culture and Changing Societies
Course “Islam: Religion, Culture and Changing Societies”
Week I
This week, the structure and aims of the course will be introduced to the participants. We will learn what and how to talk about Islam? Who are the Muslims, and what do they believe in? Which rules of Muslim behavior are related to culture and which to religion? How and why do changes in the Middle East and North African societies begin?
Week II
This week addresses politics, law, and religion. Secularism in Islamic societies today – what are the biggest challenges? Which societies are ready to practice democratic systems? What is the political history of the Middle East and North African region, and why is it difficult to agree with the claim that democracy and Islam may go hand in hand?
Week III
This week, participants will learn about education and youth in Islamic societies – what does it mean to be young and go to school in an Islamic society? The Middle East and North Africa have the highest intergenerational educational mobility. What has hindered the development of education? What are the biggest problems, and what may be the solutions?
Week IV
This week introduces environmental movements in Islamic societies – how does the Islamic faith protect nature? Various countries in the Middle East and North Africa face significant environmental and climate challenges. We will explore how Islamic eco-activists use religious thinking and spirituality to save and protect nature.
Week V
During this last week, we will focus on the diversity of Islam. Is there one Islam, or would it be correct to talk about many Islams instead? How monolithic and homogeneous is the Islamic religion? There have been different schools and directions of interpretation in Islam throughout history. We focus on three groups, all of whom see themselves as Muslims but are not considered fellow believers by Sunni Muslims.
