IJC 105 Winter 2026

IJC 105 Islam and Muslim Communities in Canada

The presence of Islam in Canada may seem a new phenomenon to some observers. However, the history of Islam and Muslims in Canada dates back to the mid-19th century. Today, Muslims constitute roughly 3.2% of the total Canadian population and are the second-largest religious group in the country after Christianity. Why does Islam matter in Canada? When and how did it arrive here? How can we study Muslim communities in Canada? What values, practices, traditions, and tensions exist within its histories and social dynamics? Through a series of lectures, interactive learning activities and fieldwork, students explore these and similar questions in this course. They examine how Muslim communities live and practice Islam in the Canadian context. Students learn about and discuss a range of topics, including the histories, beliefs and practices of diverse Canadian Muslim communities, their religious and cultural identities, questions of their communal organization, religious authority, gender dynamics, youth culture, political and civic engagement, media representation, discrimination, and contributions to Canadian society.

Schedule

Monday – 1 PM to 4 PM

12 Weeks + Exam