An introductory course on the development of science in Islamic Empires, some of the key achievements, and how these helped to later fuel the Renaissance in Europe.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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The course will look at the birth and expansion of Islam, and how empires fostered an environment for learning, across an area spanning from Cordoba in the West to Samarkand in the East.
By translating and assimilating knowledge from the classical world and beyond, and setting up centres for collaborative learning such as the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, we will see how scholars made pivotal advances in scientific knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age and beyond (800-1600 AD). We will look at some of the key personalities involved, and their main achievements across chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and engineering.
The course will also examine how this learning was transferred to Europe, and helped to fuel further advances in science and engineering during the Renaissance.
What will we cover?
The birth of Islam and its rapid expansion
How learning was fostered through royal patronage, knowledge centres and translation
Some key advances made across chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and engineering
The transfer of learning to Europe and the role this played in the Renaissance
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Name some key Islamic Empires and centres for learning
Identify some of the key Islamic scholars and their scientific innovations
Understand how this period was pivotal to later advances during the European Renaissance
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels, though a basic interest in science would help. You should be able to follow written and verbal instruction, slides and health & safety information in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught by lecture with supporting presentation slides, and will be invited to participate in group and class discussion. Materials will be provided in class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to buy a notebook for use in class.
Tas has always had a strong passion for Islamic History, Art & Architecture. This has been nurtured for decades through extensive travel across Andalucia, Sicily, North Africa, the Middle East and South & Central Asia. He’s an avid collector of Islamic art and antiques, having extensively studied the field. He has also researched the history of medieval and early-modern Islamic empires, with a particular focus on the Islamic Golden Age, which forms the basis of his course offerings at City Lit. In his career, after studying Electronic Engineering at the University of London, he has worked for almost 30 years as a Management Consultant and Programme Director in industry, implementing technology solutions for large organisations across the world.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/science-in-the-islamic-golden-age2668938Science in the Islamic Golden Agehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/c/science-in-the-islamic-golden-age-hs360-1080_1.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa228511771178135601228511771178<p>An introductory course on the development of science in Islamic Empires, some of the key achievements, and how these helped to later fuel the Renaissance in Europe.</p>253006232Science in the Islamic Golden Age6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/c/science-in-the-islamic-golden-age-hs360-1080_1_2.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHMI726969Science in the Islamic Golden Age554569Tas Rahmanscience-in-the-islamic-golden-age/hmi72-2526<p>An introductory course on the development of science in Islamic Empires, some of the key achievements, and how these helped to later fuel the Renaissance in Europe.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-25 00:00:00<p>The course will look at the birth and expansion of Islam, and how empires fostered an environment for learning, across an area spanning from Cordoba in the West to Samarkand in the East.</p><p>By translating and assimilating knowledge from the classical world and beyond, and setting up centres for collaborative learning such as the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, we will see how scholars made pivotal advances in scientific knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age and beyond (800-1600 AD). We will look at some of the key personalities involved, and their main achievements across chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and engineering.</p><p>The course will also examine how this learning was transferred to Europe, and helped to fuel further advances in science and engineering during the Renaissance.</p><p>An introductory course on the development of science in Islamic Empires, some of the key achievements, and how these helped to later fuel the Renaissance in Europe.</p><ul><li>The birth of Islam and its rapid expansion</li><li>How learning was fostered through royal patronage, knowledge centres and translation</li><li>Some key advances made across chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and engineering</li><li>The transfer of learning to Europe and the role this played in the Renaissance</li></ul><ul><li>Name some key Islamic Empires and centres for learning</li><li>Identify some of the key Islamic scholars and their scientific innovations</li><li>Understand how this period was pivotal to later advances during the European Renaissance</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels, though a basic interest in science would help. You should be able to follow written and verbal instruction, slides and health & safety information in English.</p><p>You will be taught by lecture with supporting presentation slides, and will be invited to participate in group and class discussion. Materials will be provided in class. </p><p>You might wish to buy a notebook for use in class. </p><p>You may also be interested in<br><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-mughal-empire" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Rise and Fall of the Mughal Empire</a><br><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/cultural-connections-venice-western-asia-with-v-a-visit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cultural Connections: Venice & Western Asia</a><br> </p>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africavirtual556945HMI72NONESat25/04/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetTas RahmanBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Science in the Islamic Golden Agescience-in-the-islamic-golden-age/hmi72-2526<p>An introductory course on the development of science in Islamic Empires, some of the key achievements, and how these helped to later fuel the Renaissance in Europe.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-25 00:00:00<p>The course will look at the birth and expansion of Islam, and how empires fostered an environment for learning, across an area spanning from Cordoba in the West to Samarkand in the East.</p><p>By translating and assimilating knowledge from the classical world and beyond, and setting up centres for collaborative learning such as the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, we will see how scholars made pivotal advances in scientific knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age and beyond (800-1600 AD). We will look at some of the key personalities involved, and their main achievements across chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and engineering.</p><p>The course will also examine how this learning was transferred to Europe, and helped to fuel further advances in science and engineering during the Renaissance.</p><p>An introductory course on the development of science in Islamic Empires, some of the key achievements, and how these helped to later fuel the Renaissance in Europe.</p><ul><li>The birth of Islam and its rapid expansion</li><li>How learning was fostered through royal patronage, knowledge centres and translation</li><li>Some key advances made across chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and engineering</li><li>The transfer of learning to Europe and the role this played in the Renaissance</li></ul><ul><li>Name some key Islamic Empires and centres for learning</li><li>Identify some of the key Islamic scholars and their scientific innovations</li><li>Understand how this period was pivotal to later advances during the European Renaissance</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels, though a basic interest in science would help. You should be able to follow written and verbal instruction, slides and health &amp; safety information in English.</p><p>You will be taught by lecture with supporting presentation slides, and will be invited to participate in group and class discussion. Materials will be provided in class.&nbsp;</p><p>You might wish to buy a notebook for use in class. </p><p>You may also be interested in<br><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-mughal-empire" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Rise and Fall of the Mughal Empire</a><br><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/cultural-connections-venice-western-asia-with-v-a-visit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cultural Connections: Venice &amp; Western Asia</a><br>&nbsp;</p>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africaconfigurable
135601178The Middle East & North Africahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-middle-east-north-africa1/2/285/1177/1178/135601/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa
