FREE Online Course by Cardiff University

Starting Date: March 4, 2019

Duration: 4 weeks

Islam is the second largest religion in the world today and dominates much of the current geopolitical discourse. People are increasingly bombarded by dramatic headlines, yet general knowledge of Muslims and their faith can be poor. There is consequently a need for a balanced and well-informed understanding of the current debates.

This course uses Britain as a case study to shed light on wider issues. It reflects the work of the Islam-UK Centre at Cardiff University, the research that we have conducted and focuses on the everyday lives of Muslims in Britain.

The course is open to anyone with an interest in religion, culture and history, whether you are a beginner, experienced learner or returning to study and you can Develop your understanding of Muslims and their faith through an exploration of communities in Britain.

Course Topics

• Islamic Practice
An outline of Islamic practices and beliefs plus an introduction to the different viewpoints within Islam.

• History of Islam in Britain
An exploration of the longstanding associations between Islam and Britain, including Islamic influences on British society and the well-established connections between Britain and the countries from which many British Muslims originally hailed.

• Settlement Patterns
The origins and makeup of today’s British Muslim communities.

• Cultural Diversity
Confronting the ‘myth’ of a homogenous Muslim community through an exploration of the various religious and cultural influences that characterize and inform Muslim communities in Britain today.

• Contemporary Debates
An examination of how the above topics feed into the contemporary debates and what the future might hold.

Source: futurelearn.com