In this course, students will examine the historical relations between the “Muslim World” and “the West” from the 7th century to the present. This course will explore the emergence of Islam in Arabia and the subsequent conquests of the Arabs to different areas in the Middle East, parts of Central Asia, North Africa, Spain, and Sicily. Students will learn about both moments of peaceful socio-cultural and economic interactions, as well as confrontations and ideological conflicts with the West. The course will take a political, social, and cultural history approach to understanding the nature of the relationship between Muslims and Europeans. In addition, a world history perspective will be employed to look at these complex and multilayered interactions.
