Countering Islamophobia: Teaching About Islam in a World History Course

• In Event: 18.072 - Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: 18.072-13 - Addressing Social Justice and Democracy in the Social Studies

Abstract

This qualitative, case study examined how one Pakistani-Indian, American Muslim educator taught about Islam within an honors, world history course. Data collection included fifteen hours of classroom observation, multiple teacher interviews, and the collection of instructional artifacts. Analysis revealed the following prominent features of the participant’s instruction: emphasis on similarities among religions, attention to extremism, consideration of diversity within Islam, and reflection on American misconceptions about Islam and the origins of these misconceptions. Additional analysis explores the affordances and constraints of these approaches for advancing religious literacy and countering Islamophobia.

Author

• Sarah Belle Brooks, Millersville University of Pennsylvania