Video Post: The Basics of Islam
Some people are shocked when I tell them religion is one of the units I cover in my Global Studies class. I often hear; "Are you allowed to teach religion in a public school"? The answer to that question is "Yes", although there are a few important rules public school teachers should follow when teaching about religion.
To help those of us in the field of education, the ACLU organized the "Joint Statement of Current Law on Religion in the Public Schools" along with many other organizations across the ideological, religious, and political spectrum. The statement provides guidelines to assist teachers and administrators navigate some of the "grey areas" when it comes to the separation of church (religion) and state (the school). The list below highlights some of the helpful rules outlined in the article.
1. Students may be taught about religion, but public schools may not "teach" religion. In other words, one religion cannot be taught as "correct" while others are "incorrect".
2. Religions throughout history have influenced many subject areas. Without the study of comparative religion, or the history of religion, it would be difficult to teach art, music, literature and most social studies.
3. The history of religion, comparative religion, and religious scriptures (as literature) are all permissible public school subjects. It is both permissible and desirable to teach objectively about the role of religion in the history of the United States and other countries.
4. Religious explanations of life on Earth may be taught in comparative religion or social studies class. Science classes must not teach any religious doctrine (including "creationism") as scientific fact or theory, although any genuinely scientific evidence for or against any explanation of life may be taught.
5. Schools may not refuse to teach evolutionary theory in order to avoid giving offense to religion nor may they circumvent these rules by labeling as science an article of religious faith.
6. Teachers should not ridicule a student's religious explanation for life on earth.
While teaching about religion may seem like walking a tightrope, the laws allow for the subject as long as it is done in a historical or comparative context and students' religious views are not being favored or rejected.
That said, I have to give a big thank you to Keith Hughes as his videos make teaching about religion a whole lot easier! Keith's YouTube channel HipHughesHistory is a must follow for any Social Studies/History teacher out there.
Check out the HipHughesHistory video on Islam below. He also has videos which correspond with the other 4 major world religions we learn about in Global Studies class; Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
To help those of us in the field of education, the ACLU organized the "Joint Statement of Current Law on Religion in the Public Schools" along with many other organizations across the ideological, religious, and political spectrum. The statement provides guidelines to assist teachers and administrators navigate some of the "grey areas" when it comes to the separation of church (religion) and state (the school). The list below highlights some of the helpful rules outlined in the article.
1. Students may be taught about religion, but public schools may not "teach" religion. In other words, one religion cannot be taught as "correct" while others are "incorrect".
2. Religions throughout history have influenced many subject areas. Without the study of comparative religion, or the history of religion, it would be difficult to teach art, music, literature and most social studies.
3. The history of religion, comparative religion, and religious scriptures (as literature) are all permissible public school subjects. It is both permissible and desirable to teach objectively about the role of religion in the history of the United States and other countries.
4. Religious explanations of life on Earth may be taught in comparative religion or social studies class. Science classes must not teach any religious doctrine (including "creationism") as scientific fact or theory, although any genuinely scientific evidence for or against any explanation of life may be taught.
5. Schools may not refuse to teach evolutionary theory in order to avoid giving offense to religion nor may they circumvent these rules by labeling as science an article of religious faith.
6. Teachers should not ridicule a student's religious explanation for life on earth.
While teaching about religion may seem like walking a tightrope, the laws allow for the subject as long as it is done in a historical or comparative context and students' religious views are not being favored or rejected.
That said, I have to give a big thank you to Keith Hughes as his videos make teaching about religion a whole lot easier! Keith's YouTube channel HipHughesHistory is a must follow for any Social Studies/History teacher out there.
Check out the HipHughesHistory video on Islam below. He also has videos which correspond with the other 4 major world religions we learn about in Global Studies class; Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
That is a neat little video that hits the basics. Does he do others that get into the rise and expansion of the different religions? My husband teaches AP European History and World History, so he is always dealing with religion and its effects and motivational forces in history. He particularly has to focus on the interaction between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam in European history.
ReplyDeleteI am glad in many ways to be working at a college. Particularly as a librarian I am focused on providing information. Spin and opinion are things we make students aware of, but we don't preach. They recognize the biases in the sources and must accept or reject them on their own. Again great video!
Hi Kelly,
DeleteHe has videos on the other religions that I listed and I believe he may briefly cover some of the rise and expansion of Christianity in that video. Mr. Hughes was previously an AP teacher himself. The "CrashCourse World History" series by John Green definitely sheds light on the history, movement, and expansion of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I also use those videos for my class, but I often have to stop and repeat or re-explain what he says because he tends to speak very quickly.
Thank you for teaching about religion and with such rich resources! Religion is a HUGE factor in all societies - in fact, religion has arguably shaped the world in which we live, and I find that the U.S. tends to fall behind in teaching this academic subject area.
ReplyDeleteI taught in Germany, where religion is a required course in most states (or ethics, if one doesn't identify with either a protestant or Catholic denomination), and I find it odd that we don't put more emphasis on it (or not many teachers do the topic justice) so as to better inform our students to different world views and how they've shaped (and still shape) nations. I'm all for 'growing brains, so students walk around smarter' as Mr. Hughes suggests, and teaching about religion is a great way to do this.
It has absolutely shaped the world in which we live and continues to do so. I agree that studying religion in a comparative manner probably does not get the attention it should in most U.S. schools. I find it very interesting that Germany requires religion to be taught in school and non-Christians must take an ethics class. I personally think it is a good idea, but I'm curious as to how that requirement is received by non-Christians?
DeleteTough as is to have to tiptoe around these subjects and teach them in a certain way, it must be done. There's a lot of misunderstanding out there about the differences in religion and Islam is often at the center of sensitive news in our country. Videos like this help to clear up the negative perceptions in a factual way. Great channel, too!
ReplyDeleteMany forget that Islam follows in the steps of Judaism and Christianity. We compare and contrast the basic teachings of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and students are sometimes surprised at how similar the basic teachings are. Of course there are differences between Sunni and Shia, Catholic and Protestant, Orthodox and Reform, etc. The real point of confusion for students (and many adults) is religious violence. Unfortunately religious inspired violence has been around for a long time and often overshadows the many positive lessons that all religions have to offer.
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