EdX

Islam Through Its Scriptures (edX)

Islam Through Its Scriptures (edX)

Learn about the Quran, the central sacred text of Islam, through an exploration of the rich diversity of roles and interpretations in Muslim societies. How can you improve your understanding of Islam and its most important holy text, the Quran? How can you make sense of a tradition and a text that have been interpreted in different ways across vast geographical spaces for nearly a millennium and a half?

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Using a multimedia and student-centered approach, this religion course provides tools and perspectives for understanding the role of the Quran in the Islamic tradition. Learners will develop the skills and context to read the text themselves, while also being introduced to some of the issues classical and contemporary interpreters have addressed. This approach enables learners to explore the influence of the Quran on diverse Muslim understandings of Islam.

This course is part of the World Religions Through Their Scriptures XSeries Program.

What you'll learn:

  • An introduction to the place of the Quran in Muslim cultures
  • Major themes of the Quran
  • The historical and cultural contexts of the Quran
  • Interpretive skills that enable a more nuanced reading of the Quran
  • Diverse approaches Muslims have adopted to engaging with Quranic texts, including issues in contemporary interpretation
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Introduction to the Quran: The Scripture of Islam (edX) EdX
University of Notre Dame,NotreDameX

Introduction to the Quran: The Scripture of Islam (edX)

Discover the themes of the Quran, its role within Islam, meaning to Muslims, and relationship with the Bible. According to Islamic tradition, the Quran is not simply an inspired scripture. It is a divine book brought down from heaven by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad, and its message is the key to heaven. Join us for an exploration of the scripture that is the word of God to over a billion people.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
China’s First Empires and the Rise of Buddhism (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

China’s First Empires and the Rise of Buddhism (edX)

Learn about the Qin and Han dynasties, and how Buddhism and ideas of self-realization influenced the medieval period. This course, the second in a collection on Chinese history and culture, addresses how the Qin dynasty conquered China and established a new system of government and how the Han dynasty built a stable, centralized empire that lasted for hundreds of years. We cover the early history of Buddhism in China and how the rising feudal aristocracy responded to the loss of empire by looking inward.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Coursera)

This course explores Jewish, Christian, and Muslim intercultural relations in Iberia from the Visigothic era (6th century CE) until the creation of Queen Isabel I and King Ferdinand II Catholic Spain (late 15th century). We evaluate the many identities of the peninsula known as Christian Hispania, Jewish Sefarad, and Islamic al-Andalus. We trace the origins and trajectory of conflict between these communities (the Muslim conquest of Spain, Christian Reconquista, prohibitions blocking intermixing of peoples, and expulsions).

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Christian-Muslim Relations (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Edinburgh

Christian-Muslim Relations (FutureLearn)

Uncover important themes in the history of Christian-Muslim relations and understand the politics that continue to shape it. Gain an insight into the academic study of Christian-Muslim Relations. On this innovative four-week course, you’ll be introduced to the academic study of Christian-Muslim Relations with the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh.

Oct 3rd 2022
4 Weeks
Toledo: Deciphering Secrets of Medieval Spain (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Toledo: Deciphering Secrets of Medieval Spain (Coursera)

This course evaluates the medieval history of Toledo from the era of the Visigoth Kingdom (6th-8th centuries) through its Islamic period (8th to 11th centuries) and into its reintegration into Christian Spain (after 1085 c.e.) In particular, we take note of the cultural and religious transformations that characterized the city with a special effort to understand how many peoples and religions came to settle and live amongst one another.

Jul 1st 2024
5-12 Weeks
Why Religion Matters: Religious Literacy, Culture and Diversity (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Why Religion Matters: Religious Literacy, Culture and Diversity (FutureLearn)

Discover why religion is important for understanding and engaging with global challenges. Consider the ways religion affects personal and political decision-making. Religion not only influences personal behaviours and ethics, but it’s also relevant to international conflicts and domestic policy decisions. On this course, you will gain a broader understanding of why religion matters in society and in different cultures.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Justice (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Justice (edX)

Justice, one of the most famous courses taught at Harvard College, is an introduction to moral and political philosophy, offering an opportunity to discuss contemporary dilemmas and controversies. Taught by lauded Harvard professor Michael Sandel, Justice explores critical analysis of classical and contemporary theories of justice, including discussion of present-day applications.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Academic and Business Writing (edX) EdX
University of California, Berkeley,BerkeleyX

Academic and Business Writing (edX)

An introduction to academic and business writing for English Language Learners, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, structure, editing, and publication. College Writing 2.2x providesan introduction to academic and business writing for English Language Learners. In this course, students focus on understanding the demands of different styles of writing, andwork to improve grammatical correctness, vocabulary development, and revision and editing skills.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Modern China’s Foundations: The Manchus and the Qing (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Modern China’s Foundations: The Manchus and the Qing (edX)

Learn how the Manchus conquered the Qing and established the last of the imperial dynasties. This course, part of a comprehensive series on China, looks at the Qing state in the early 1600s and the challenges that the Manchus faced as minority rulers. While living in Chinese cities and surrounded by Chinese culture — a culture that was far more sophisticated than their own — the Manchus struggled to hold onto their identity as a conquesting people.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Religious Literacy: Traditions and Scriptures (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Religious Literacy: Traditions and Scriptures (edX)

Learn how to better understand the rich and complex ways that religions function in historic and contemporary contexts. The study of religion is the study of a rich and fascinating dimension of human experience that includes but goes well beyond beliefs and ritual practices. In this religion course, learners explore case studies about how religions are internally diverse, how they evolve and change through time, and how religions are embedded in all dimensions of human experience.

Self Paced
Self-Paced