This class will take you on a fascinating deep dive into the origins of Islam. Explore the early years of Islam and the major Medieval Caliphates. Discover how the rivalry between the Ottoman and Safavid empires resulted in the Sunni-Shi’ite struggle that we see today. This series of classes is essential for understanding how modern Islam came to be and its place in the world in the context of recent history.
MEET YOUR PROFESSOR

Dr. Brendan J. McGuire
Brendan J. McGuire † (requiescat in pace) served as Associate Professor of History at Christendom College from 2007-2020. A beloved professor, he specialized in the study of religion in the medieval Mediterranean. McGuire received his doctorate in Medieval History from Saint Louis University, where he studied Islam under renowned scholar Hayrettin Yucesoy.