An introductory course on the achievements of the Islamic Golden Age, across all areas of civilisation, how these inspired Europe, and helped to bring about the modern world we live in.
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.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The course will look at the birth and expansion of Islam, leading to the Golden Age (8th-16thC AD), and how its empires nurtured a flowering of intellect, creativity & trade, across an area spanning from Cordoba in the West to Indonesia in the East.
Whilst Islamic advances in Science & Medicine are acknowledged by academics, this course will provide a broader survey of its achievements in areas less well understood; including Philosophy, Art, Literature, Culture, Trade & Law. We will examine how the Islamic Golden Age’s innovations in these domains helped bring about a world-leading civilisation in the Middle Ages, and later helped to influence, inspire and enrich Europe, fuel the Renaissance, and bring about our modern world.
What will we cover?
The birth of Islam and its rapid expansion to becoming an empire
How Islamic empires nurtured learning and innovation in centres such as Baghdad, Cordoba, Cairo & Sicily
Some key advances made across Science & Medicine, Philosophy & Education, Art & Architecture, Poetry & Literature, Lifestyle & Culture, Trade & Agriculture, Statecraft & Law and Exploration & Cartography.
As Islamic empires went into decline, how their learning & innovations had a lasting impact on Europe, helped fuel its ascent, and the role this played in bringing about the Renaissance and our modern world
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 key Islamic Golden Age innovations and personalities across a range of topics
Name some examples of the lasting impact of such Islamic innovations on Europe
Understand how this period was pivotal to Europe’s later advances during the Renaissance
Understand some of the key factors leading to the decline of Islamic empires
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels, though an interest in history would help. It takes a broad look at many topics, rather than a deeper dive into a narrower field (which the related Science in the Islamic Golden Age course does). Please note that both of these courses are designed to be stand-alone, so there will be some overlap in topics, particularly around the birth, expansion & decline of Islamic empires.
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. Teaching will include breakout sessions and content delivered through various audio-visual tools.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional course costs, though you may wish to bring your own notetaking material.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Science in the Islamic Golden Age
Influential Women of the Islamic Empires
If you've previously studied a full-day course with Tas Rahman you may also be interested in studying a half-day course focussing on Science in the Islamic Golden Age at the end of Term 1 (13/12/26)
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/what-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us3025897What the Islamic Golden Age did for Ushttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/m/hmi73_what_the_islamic_golden_age_did_for_us.jpg8989GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Summer courses in humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage228511771178135601357219071228511771178165313457<p>An introductory course on the achievements of the Islamic Golden Age, across all areas of civilisation, how these inspired Europe, and helped to bring about the modern world we live in. </p>003092032What the Islamic Golden Age did for Us8989https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/m/hmi73_what_the_islamic_golden_age_did_for_us_2.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-01T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH3368989What the Islamic Golden Age did for Us715889Tas Rahmanwhat-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us/hwh336-2627<p>An introductory course on the achievements of the Islamic Golden Age, across all areas of civilisation, how these inspired Europe, and helped to bring about the modern world we live in. </p>0000-Available|2026-11-01 00:00:00<p>The course will look at the birth and expansion of Islam, leading to the Golden Age (8th-16thC AD), and how its empires nurtured a flowering of intellect, creativity & trade, across an area spanning from Cordoba in the West to Indonesia in the East. </p><p>Whilst Islamic advances in Science & Medicine are acknowledged by academics, this course will provide a broader survey of its achievements in areas less well understood; including Philosophy, Art, Literature, Culture, Trade & Law. We will examine how the Islamic Golden Age’s innovations in these domains helped bring about a world-leading civilisation in the Middle Ages, and later helped to influence, inspire and enrich Europe, fuel the Renaissance, and bring about our modern world. </p><p>An introductory course on the achievements of the Islamic Golden Age, across all areas of civilisation, how these inspired Europe, and helped to bring about the modern world we live in. </p><ul><li><p>The birth of Islam and its rapid expansion to becoming an empire </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>How Islamic empires nurtured learning and innovation in centres such as Baghdad, Cordoba, Cairo & Sicily </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Some key advances made across Science & Medicine, Philosophy & Education, Art & Architecture, Poetry & Literature, Lifestyle & Culture, Trade & Agriculture, Statecraft & Law and Exploration & Cartography. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>As Islamic empires went into decline, how their learning & innovations had a lasting impact on Europe, helped fuel its ascent, and the role this played in bringing about the Renaissance and our modern world </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Name some key Islamic Empires and centres for learning </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Identify some key Islamic Golden Age innovations and personalities across a range of topics </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Name some examples of the lasting impact of such Islamic innovations on Europe </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Understand how this period was pivotal to Europe’s later advances during the Renaissance </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Understand some of the key factors leading to the decline of Islamic empires </p></li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels, though an interest in history would help. It takes a broad look at many topics, rather than a deeper dive into a narrower field (which the related Science in the Islamic Golden Age course does). Please note that both of these courses are designed to be stand-alone, so there will be some overlap in topics, particularly around the birth, expansion & decline of Islamic empires. </p><p>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. Teaching will include breakout sessions and content delivered through various audio-visual tools. </p><p>There are no additional course costs, though you may wish to bring your own notetaking material.</p><ul><li>Science in the Islamic Golden Age</li><li>Influential Women of the Islamic Empires</li></ul><p>If you've previously studied a full-day course with Tas Rahman you may also be interested in studying a half-day course focussing on Science in the Islamic Golden Age at the end of Term 1 (13/12/26)</p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=Tas+Rahman" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all of Tas Rahman's upcoming courses here.</a></p><p> </p><p> </p>HistoryThe Middle East & North AfricaCulture, history & humanitiesHistoryHistories, memories & heritagevirtual718958HWH336NONESun01/11/2610:00 - 17:0010:0017:001 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetTas RahmanBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-01T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeNov 2026Culture, history & humanities8989What the Islamic Golden Age did for Uswhat-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us/hwh336-2627<p>An introductory course on the achievements of the Islamic Golden Age, across all areas of civilisation, how these inspired Europe, and helped to bring about the modern world we live in. </p>0000-Available|2026-11-01 00:00:00<p>The course will look at the birth and expansion of Islam, leading to the Golden Age (8th-16thC AD), and how its empires nurtured a flowering of intellect, creativity &amp; trade, across an area spanning from Cordoba in the West to Indonesia in the East. </p><p>Whilst Islamic advances in Science &amp; Medicine are acknowledged by academics, this course will provide a broader survey of its achievements in areas less well understood; including Philosophy, Art, Literature, Culture, Trade &amp; Law. We will examine how the Islamic Golden Age’s innovations in these domains helped bring about a world-leading civilisation in the Middle Ages, and later helped to influence, inspire and enrich Europe, fuel the Renaissance, and bring about our modern world. </p><p>An introductory course on the achievements of the Islamic Golden Age, across all areas of civilisation, how these inspired Europe, and helped to bring about the modern world we live in. </p><ul><li><p>The birth of Islam and its rapid expansion to becoming an empire </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>How Islamic empires nurtured learning and innovation in centres such as Baghdad, Cordoba, Cairo &amp; Sicily </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Some key advances made across Science &amp; Medicine, Philosophy &amp; Education, Art &amp; Architecture, Poetry &amp; Literature, Lifestyle &amp; Culture, Trade &amp; Agriculture, Statecraft &amp; Law and Exploration &amp; Cartography. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>As Islamic empires went into decline, how their learning &amp; innovations had a lasting impact on Europe, helped fuel its ascent, and the role this played in bringing about the Renaissance and our modern world </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Name some key Islamic Empires and centres for learning </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Identify some key Islamic Golden Age innovations and personalities across a range of topics </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Name some examples of the lasting impact of such Islamic innovations on Europe </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Understand how this period was pivotal to Europe’s later advances during the Renaissance </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Understand some of the key factors leading to the decline of Islamic empires </p></li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels, though an interest in history would help. It takes a broad look at many topics, rather than a deeper dive into a narrower field (which the related Science in the Islamic Golden Age course does). Please note that both of these courses are designed to be stand-alone, so there will be some overlap in topics, particularly around the birth, expansion &amp; decline of Islamic empires. </p><p>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. Teaching will include breakout sessions and content delivered through various audio-visual tools. </p><p>There are no additional course costs, though you may wish to bring your own notetaking material.</p><ul><li>Science in the Islamic Golden Age</li><li>Influential Women of the Islamic Empires</li></ul><p>If you've previously studied a full-day course with Tas Rahman you may also be interested in studying a half-day course focussing on Science in the Islamic Golden Age at the end of Term 1 (13/12/26)</p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=Tas+Rahman" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all of Tas Rahman's upcoming courses here.</a></p><p> </p><p> </p>HistoryThe Middle East & North AfricaCulture, history & humanitiesHistoryHistories, memories & heritageconfigurable
19071178Histories, memories & heritagehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies1/2/285/1177/1178/19071/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage
