The University of Toledo

About Islamic Studies

 The Program in Religious Studies at the University of Toledo offers courses in Islamic Studies at introductory and advanced levels.  Students from all parts of the university are welcome and encouraged to engage with the increasingly important intellectual study of Islam.  We approach Islamic history, religion, jurisprudence, and culture from an academic perspective, with attention to contemporary questions within Islamic thought and between Islam and other religious traditions.  Courses in Islamic Studies fulfill the non-western multicultural requirement.  For more information on Islamic Studies at the University of Toledo, contact Ovamir Anjum, the Imam Khattab Endowed Chair of Islamic Studies (Ovamir.Anjum@utoledo.edu)

Check the "Schedule of Courses" to see what is being offered in any given semester.  The following courses are taught every year or so, with new courses being introduced frequently:

REL 2500 Introduction to Islam
An Introduction to the academic understanding of Islam. Topics may include: Faith, rituals, law (Shari’ah), jurisprudence (Fiqh), theology (Kalam), and stories from the Islamic heritage. Non-Western multicultural course.

REL 3580 Contemporary Issues in Islam (Cross listed with PHIL 3580)
An examination of some contemporary issues of Islamic thought or culture such as modernization, bio-medical ethics, aesthetics, art, literature, philosophy of spirituality and the role of women.  Course may be repeated for credit as topics vary. Non-Western multicultural course.

REL 3350 The Qur’an and Hadith
A study of the two main texts for Islamic belief and practice: Qur’an and the Hadith (the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad). Topics include their thematic structure, methods of interpretation, and their unique authority within Islam. Non-Western multicultural course.

REL 3980 Islam and Politics
A study of current and historical political issues in Islam

REL 3980 Islamic Law & Society (Cross listed with LST 3980)
Survey of Islamic legal thought in relation to social and political currents throughout the Muslim world

PHIL 4550 Islamic Philosophy (cross listed with PHIL 5550 and REL 4550)
A study of Muslim philosophers from the beginning to the modern time. Topics include: metaphysics, epistemology, reason and revelation, logic and methodology.