REL 166
Being Muslim, Being American: American Muslim Literature in the 21st century Spring 2026
Division II D Difference, Power, and Equity
Cross-listed ENGL 268 / AMST 166 / COMP 166 / AAS 166

Islam and Muslims in the United States are the subject of extensive public scrutiny and media coverage in broader public discourses. It is less common, however, to hear Muslims’ own voices speak about their lives, experiences, beliefs, and commitments. This course takes a literary approach to exploring American Muslims’ own narratives about themselves, which will serve as an introduction to religion in contemporary U.S. culture. We address questions such as: How do American Muslims attempt to fashion their identity in the wake of 9/11? What are the pressures and demands of American national belonging and cultural citizenship that Muslims must navigate? How are race, gender, ethnic heritage, and immigration definitive of Muslim experiences and self-understandings? How are Muslims approaching the tensions between communal belonging and individuality? What are the competing claims and contestations about authentic expressions of Islam? We engage such themes through popular memoirs, autobiographies, novels, short stories, poetry, films, and comedy.