Competition and confrontation, as well as co-existence, between Islam and the West is centuries-old. However, tensions between Islam and the West have sharpened considerably in the last three decades. Since the West is now home to millions of Muslims, the West itself has become the site of potential and real conflict. This course offers a comparative and inter-disciplinary approach to the study of Muslim experience in a range of Western contexts. It explores Muslim engagement with Western societies through the study of historical, sociological, cultural and political literature. More specifically, it examines the evolving Western perceptions of Islam and Muslims on the one hand and of Muslim perceptions of the West on the other, Muslim responses to the challenges of migrating and settling in the West, and the historical, ideological and economic roots of Muslim identity formation. Furthermore it debates contemporary social and political issues concerning Muslims living in these societies with a view to reflecting on future directions.