The Bible and Qur'an

Course Description

What do the Qur’an and the Bible have in common? How do stories of prominent figures like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus look different—or, at times, surprisingly similar, across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? How does the Qur’an specifically build on or respond to earlier Semitic scriptural traditions?

This course invites students to engage deeply with some of the most important shared stories between the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, late antique Syriac Christian texts, and the Qur’an. Through close reading and comparative analysis, students will examine recurring themes such as creation and human origins, divine judgment and mercy, covenant and prophecy, purity and miraculous birth, moral exemplarity, and eschatological expectation, highlighting both theological continuities and discontinuities across the traditions.

Divided into two parts, the first segment addresses the Hebrew Bible and Qur’anic depictions of early Biblical history, while the second focuses on the New Testament and Syriac Christian texts in dialogue with Qur’anic reworkings and reinterpretations of these figures and themes. All readings will be provided in English, and no prior knowledge of the subject is required.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Required Texts

Coogan, Michael D., ed. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version. 4th ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010) ISBN 978-0195289602
Abdel Haleem, M. A. S., trans. The Qur’an: A New Translation. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004) ISBN 978-0199535958
Wheeler, Brannon M. Prophets in the Qur'an: An Introduction to the Qur'an and Muslim Exegesis. Comparative Islamic Studies. (London: Continuum, 2002) ISBN 978-0826449566

Frequently Asked Questions

Review common questions about our courses. You can also contact us for more information.

Do we take assessments in these courses?

Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.

How can I best prepare for class?

Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works: How to Read Classic Texts. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.

Do I have to complete an application?

Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.

Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?

Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.

UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions? 

Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.

What happens if I have to miss a class?

Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.

What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?

You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues here. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.

Will this course be offered online or in person?

The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.

What happens if I miss a class?

While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered. In-person classes are not recorded.

I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?

If you need to drop a course, please email us at graham@learningplatform.support to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.

Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.

How do I access my course after registration?

Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date. You’ll log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out our helpful video tutorial.

I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?

If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our registration tips page. You can also email our support team at graham@learningplatform.support. You will receive a response within 24 hours.

Where have Graham School programs been featured?

Graham School programs have received national and international attention, with coverage in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, The Atlantic, and other leading publications.