Muslims and the Making of Contemporary Italy

Catalog description

This course explores the intertwine between religion, politics and society in Italy through the lens of the historical and contemporary presence of Islam in this country. It discusses how Muslim and migrant communities help shape contemporary Italian society, and how, in turn, they are shaped by the Italian context - creating, reinforcing, or challenging social differences within systems of power. The course is divided between a theoretical section addressing different models of integration, as well as the relation between state and religion, and a deep dive into the Italian case, exploring the history and the main themes of the Muslim presence in Italy. While focused on the Italian case, the course will have a strong comparative lens with the aim of providing tools to better understand ongoing global trends. Topics include migration, integration and citizenship, gender politics, religious expression, youth activism, Islamophobia, urban space, and transnational belonging. Through interdisciplinary lenses (history, religious studies, sociology, and political science), students will engage with primary sources, scholarship, and contemporary media to understand the changing role of Islam in Italian and global contexts.