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
As Islamic empires went into decline, how their learning & innovations helped to fuel Europe’s 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 of learning
Identify some key Islamic Golden Age innovations and personalities across a range of topics
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 deep dive into a few (which the 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. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will also increase what you get out of the course.
As with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
We expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
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?
You may want to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for note taking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Your tutor will share their other courses with you.
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.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 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>003025891What the Islamic Golden Age did for us6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/m/hmi73_what_the_islamic_golden_age_did_for_us_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-07-25T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHMI736969What the Islamic Golden Age did for us554569Tas Rahmanwhat-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us/hmi73-2526<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|2026-07-25 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>The birth of Islam and its rapid expansion to becoming an empire</li><li>How Islamic empires nurtured learning and innovation in centres such as Baghdad, Cordoba, Cairo & Sicily</li><li>Some key advances made across Science & Medicine, Philosophy & Education, Art & Architecture, Poetry & Literature, Lifestyle & Culture, Trade & Agriculture, Statecraft & Law and Exploration</li><li>As Islamic empires went into decline, how their learning & innovations helped to fuel Europe’s ascent, and the role this played in bringing about the Renaissance and our modern world</li></ul><ul><li>Name some key Islamic Empires and centres of learning</li><li>Identify some key Islamic Golden Age innovations and personalities across a range of topics </li><li>Understand how this period was pivotal to Europe’s later advances during the Renaissance</li><li>Understand some of the key factors leading to the decline of Islamic empires</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 deep dive into a few (which the <strong>Science in the Islamic Golden Age</strong> 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. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will also increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>As with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>We expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</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>.</p><p>You may want to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for note taking.</p><ul><li>Your tutor will share their other courses with you.</li><li>Please also explore our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/asian-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Asian </a>and <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-middle-east-north-africa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Middle Eastern</a> history sections and <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">heritage </a>section for related courses.</li></ul>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africavirtual556945HMI73NONESat25/07/2610:00 - 17:0010:0017:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetTas RahmanBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-25T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Culture, history & humanities6969What the Islamic Golden Age did for uswhat-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us/hmi73-2526<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|2026-07-25 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>The birth of Islam and its rapid expansion to becoming an empire</li><li>How Islamic empires nurtured learning and innovation in centres such as Baghdad, Cordoba, Cairo &amp; Sicily</li><li>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</li><li>As Islamic empires went into decline, how their learning &amp; innovations helped to fuel Europe’s ascent, and the role this played in bringing about the Renaissance and our modern world</li></ul><ul><li>Name some key Islamic Empires and centres of learning</li><li>Identify some key Islamic Golden Age innovations and personalities across a range of topics </li><li>Understand how this period was pivotal to Europe’s later advances during the Renaissance</li><li>Understand some of the key factors leading to the decline of Islamic empires</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 deep dive into a few (which the <strong>Science in the Islamic Golden Age</strong> 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.&nbsp;An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will also increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>As with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.&nbsp;</p><p>We expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</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>.</p><p>You may want to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for note taking.</p><ul><li>Your tutor will share their other courses with you.</li><li>Please also explore our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/asian-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Asian </a>and <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-middle-east-north-africa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Middle Eastern</a> history sections and <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">heritage </a>section for related courses.</li></ul>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
