What is Islam on Main Street?

Islam on Main Street is a self-directed course for reporters – and aspiring reporters – covering Muslim communities in America. Veteran international journalist Lawrence Pintak is founding dean of The Edward R. Murrow at Washington State University. He joins forces with other experts on Islam to provide fast, accurate and unbiased information about religion, culture and the many issues local reporters encounter when covering Muslim communities in their backyard. The course is divided into short, straightforward modules designed for the generalist on deadline.

A Letter from the Course Developer

More than 30 years ago, I arrived in Beirut as CBS News Middle East correspondent. My qualifications for covering this complex region? I had been reporting on wars in Africa, so I knew how to dodge bullets. Oh, and I had taken a class on the Arab-Israeli conflict as an undergrad at Northwestern. Of Islam, the dominant religion in the region, I knew essentially nothing. If foreign correspondents assigned to the region have such a “limited” understanding, there is no reason to expect reporters and editors based in the U.S. to be any more prepared to tackle stories involving Islam and Muslims. But in many parts of the U.S., Islam and Muslims have become local news. So a bit of background can come in handy. More...