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Introduction
The programme encourages students to explore in-depth a range of topics relating to Islam and Muslims from contemporary and historical perspectives. Islamic Studies is a long-standing discipline at the university, and our academic team have contributed to the field through publications, specialist research, and participation in international conferences.
The MA provides a high-quality student experience suitable for those working within — or associated with — Muslim communities, in minority and majority contexts, especially those wishing to develop a greater understanding of the people, cultures and religious perspectives within which they are engaged.
Islam in the Modern World (MA) explores significant themes relating to Islam and Muslims in diverse contexts, with detailed lectures and tutorial discussions. This is accomplished through a blend of teaching assessments, including a final dissertation focused on a subject reflecting your Islamic Studies’ interests.
Why choose this course?
1. Islamic Studies is a long-standing discipline at the university
2. Academic team that contributes to publications, specialist research, and participation in international conferences
3. Excellent Continuing Professional Development for those working in the field of Islam or with majority and minority Muslim communities.
4. Our staff are highly experienced teachers who have taught in different institutions and countries and who bring with them valuable expertise in guiding international students through their programmes of study.
Overview
Students undertake four taught modules during their first year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of study before progressing to Part II and the writing of their dissertation.
Islam in the Modern World (MA) explores significant themes relating to Islam and Muslims in diverse contexts, with detailed lectures and tutorial discussions. This is accomplished through a blend of teaching assessments, including a final dissertation focused on a subject reflecting your Islamic Studies’ interests.
Modules
Islam Today (30 credits): Islam Today seeks to develop a comprehensive framework for developing understanding of the place and practice of Islam in the contemporary world, focusing on Muslims in ‘western’ contexts. It provides students with an opportunity to analyse and write about issues relating to Islam and Muslim societies in depth, including diversity of Islamic understandings, medical ethics, education and Islam, approaches to gender, and the representation of Islam.
Muslim Networks: Communication, Knowledge and Islamic Traditions in Contemporary Perspective (30 credits). The module enables students to acquire a thorough understanding of the networking and interaction between Islam, Muslims and cultures in historical and contemporary contexts. It focuses on developing critical awareness of significant factors influencing the development of specific interpretative and belief frameworks within Muslim societies, including Sufism and Shi’ism.
Perspectives on Islamic Sources (30 credits): This module seeks to develop an analytical approach towards modern scholarship of the Qur'an and Hadith alongside critical assessment of scholarly contributions to these two disciplines. Students explore critical approaches towards the historical development of Islamic interpretative approaches from the primary sources.
Muslim Politics (30 credits): This module enables students to acquire a detailed and critical understanding of Muslim politics, in selected frameworks and understandings, as they relate to contemporary contexts. It seeks to develop the analytical tools to facilitate an interpretative reading of Muslim political concerns and their relationship to global issues.
The Islamic Intellectual Tradition: Medieval, Modern and Contemporary Developments (30 credits): This module seeks to examine the formative, medieval, modern and contemporary Islamic theological and philosophical traditions. It also looks at analysing the relationships between the Islamic and non-Islamic (Hellenic, Indian and Christian) intellectual traditions.
Sufism and Islamic Spirituality: The Mystical Dimensions of Islam (30 credits): This module looks to examine, assess and evaluate the relationship of Sufism with other Islamic disciplines jurisprudence (fiqh), theology (kalam), and philosophy (falsafa) and to examine the continuities and discontinuities between pre-modern and modern expressions of Sufism in Muslim-majority societies, and to examine the experience of Sufism in Muslim-minority societies (British and American).
Theory and Methodology in the Study of Religions (30 Credits): In this module, you will be equipped with all the skills necessary to further your research in the Study of Religions. Whether you want to further ground yourself in the study of theory or whether you want to apply your knowledge more competently in the field, this module aims to deliver key skills and frameworks for your success.
Christian-Muslim Relations: Texts, Past, & Present (30 credits): This module delves deeper into the interaction between two religious faiths, Christianity and Islam, which have a long and complicated joint history. The module will examine the early relationship of the two, theological points of similarity and difference, and contemporary interactions.
Entry Criteria
An honours degree (2:1 or above) in a cognate discipline or an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
Islam in the Modern World (MA) explores significant themes relating to Islam and Muslims in diverse contexts, with detailed lectures and tutorial discussions. This is accomplished through a blend of teaching assessments, including a final dissertation focused on a subject reflecting your Islamic Studies’ interests.
Career Opportunities
The programme has been designed to attract students interested in developing both their generic as well as their subject-specific skills. It offers opportunities for students who have recently graduated to move on to work at level 7 in their specialist field of study and help prepare them for careers in education, ministry and research.
The programme also offers excellent continuing professional development for teachers at various stages of their career, ministers currently in pastoral charge seeking further professional development and other interested parties. In addition, the programme will be attractive to students who wish to study out of personal interest or faith commitment.
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