As the world's second-largest faith and by some accounts the fastest-growing, Islam is often at the forefront of intense public conversation and debates about politics, international relations, globalization, modern society and culture. From the rise of ISIS and revolutions in North Africa and Middle East to more tempered discussions about what it means to be a Muslim in "the West," this student-focused textbook, unpacks how we talk about, think about, and represent Islam, its place in and relationship to "the West". Supported by an accessible introduction, real-world case studies, a glossary of terms, and discussion points at the end of each chapter, Nathan Lean offers students a comprehensive and alternative framework to Islam and "the West" in the 21st century.