Global Studies Seminar and Goodspeed Lecture: 'Teaching Islamic Studies in the Age of ISIS, Islamophobia, and the Internet'

Denison University’s Global Studies Seminar and the Goodspeed Lecture Series presents a talk titled, “Teaching Islamic Studies in the Age of ISIS, Islamophobia, and the Internet,” by Courtney Dorroll, assistant professor of middle eastern and north african studies and religion at Wofford College.

Dorroll is also the Co-Coordinator for Wofford’s Middle East and North African Studies Program. This academic year, Dorroll is currently serving as a Mellon Diversity and Inclusion Pedagogical Fellow. Her work focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning Islam, area studies and religion. She edited the newly published volume “Teaching Islamic Studies in the Age of ISIS, Islamophobia, and the Internet.”

How can we teach Islam to students when daily media headlines can prejudice students’ perception of the subject? Should Islam be taught differently in secular universities than in colleges with a clear faith-based mission? What are strategies for discussing Islam and violence without perpetuating stereotypes? In an age of stereotypes and misrepresentations of Islam, this talk offers a range of means by which teachers can encourage students to thoughtfully engage with the topic of Islam.