Spring 2027 courses!

Back at CU Boulder this Spring 2027!

I am excited to teach two courses in the Department of Religious Studies at CU Boulder this Spring 2027 term. See below for information on the courses, including the course description and a bit on what we will cover in each course.

CU Boulder:

Quran
RLST 3040
Dr. Patrick J. D'Silva
TTH 2pm-3:15pm

What is the Quran? Muslims and non-Muslims alike often think of the Quran as a book, one that people can read, in Arabic or in translation, to understand Islam. While there is certainly some truth to that, this course will introduce students to other, arguably more important, aspects of the Quran. Students will read the Quran, learn about its history, and see how it is connected to modern debates. This course also introduces students to different modes of inquiry that underlie the field of Religious Studies.
Asia Content
Arts & Sciences General Education: Diversity–Global Perspective

Units:

• Historical development of the Qur’anic text we have today

• Qur’anic recitation

• Qur’anic calligraphy and epigraphy

• Comparing translations of the Qur’an from across the world

Topics in Religious Studies: Islam and Film

• RLST 3820-002

• Dr. Patrick J. D'Silva

• TTH 3:30pm-4:45pm

This course uses film to introduce students to the history, faith, practice, cultures, and politics of Islam. Focusing on feature films and documentaries, it employs film to open up a broad spectrum of questions relating to personal piety, gender equity, generational conflicts, social class, political repression, and ritual practice. The course focuses on the late 20th and early 21st centuries, highlighting the complex picture of Muslim life today.

Units:

• Understanding the use of studying film in religious studies

• Comparing Orientalist and Muslim depictions of Islamic history

• Gender & Sexuality in contemporary film

• Depicting Islam in Sci-Fi and Fantasy settings