M.A. in Islamic Studies
The MA in Islamic Studies is designed to equip students with excellent theoretical knowledge and expertise relevant to lecturers, researchers, religious leaders, and policy makers to deal with a variety of theological, political, and socio-cultural issues in the contemporary era. Students will take several courses that constitute the core of their expertise in either classical Islamic discourse, Islamic law, or contemporary expressions of Muslim societies. For those wishing to pursue further education, the MA in Islamic Studies program will provide substantive and theoretical knowledge of key issues in the study of Islam and a strong methodological foundation to conduct further research.
Vision
To become a study program that is open and excellent in Islamic studies at the international level, with an approach that integrates classical studies and modern scientific methods in addressing national and global challenges.
Mission
1. To provide international-standard teaching and higher education in Islamic studies and for the Muslim community that is excellent, inclusive, and innovative;
2. To develop outstanding research on the dynamics of Islam and the Muslim community that contributes to the advancement of knowledge and the resolution of national and global issues;
3. To build international academic networks to support the efforts of the faculty to achieve international recognition.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon program completion, students are expected to have:
1. Advanced knowledge and understanding of the basic universal values of Islam by critically examining the foundational and non-foundational sources of Islam;
2. A capability to demonstrate the interconnectivity between the major classical texts and academic scholarship and the contexts in which those texts are interpreted and translated into variety of forms;
3. An ability to critically analyse and explain how the basic universal values of Islam are translated into a wide variety of institutions;
4. An ability to analyse Islam and the dynamics of Muslim societies from social, political, and cultural perspectives.
Course Structure
The program offers courses that examine the sources and origins of Islamic thought and practice, in particular the foundational texts in Islam, together with a knowledge and understanding of the history and Islamic civilization. In addition, it offers a wide range of optional modules that will prepare students to contextualise Islamic Studies and be able to critically analyse contemporary debates and issues concerning Islam and Muslims.
The modules are delivered through a mode of blended learning, which combines traditional class-based methods and guided independent study with online learning. Lectures, tutorials, seminars, occasional workshops, peer group learning (such as delivering presentations), journal article publication and independent study are incorporated into the program. The thesis allows students to choose their own area of interest as a focus for research.
During the program’s four-semester course of study, students must complete a total of 54 credits, consisting of: foundation courses, core courses, electives courses, independent project, proposal seminar, journal article publication and thesis writing.
Courses are grouped into four components:
- Intensive reading of the foundational texts and discourses in Islam;
- Historical and contemporary Muslim context;
- Theoretical perspectives to understanding Islam and Muslim society;
- Research methodology and skills.
Course
Semester I
| No | Code | Course | Type |
| 1 | UNI 201 | Wasatiyyatul Islam in a Globalizing World | Foundation |
| 2 | ISL 202 | Discourses in Qur’an and Hadith Studies | Foundation |
| 3 | ISL 203 | Islamic History and Civilization | Foundation |
| 4 | ISL 204 | Approaches and Methods in Islamic Studies | Foundation |
| 5 | ISL 205 | Studies on Muslim Societies | Core |
Semester II
| No | Code | Course | Type |
| 1 | ISL 206 | Research Methodology | Core |
| 2 | ISL 207 | Contemporary Discourses in Islamic Law | Core |
| 3 | ISL 208 | Advanced Reading in Classical Islamic Studies | Elective |
| 4 | ISL 211 | Theological Debates and Islamic Reforms | Elective |
| 5 | ISL 212 | Sufism and the Modern Spirituality | Elective |
| 6 | ISL 213 | Digital Islam | Elective |
| 7 | ISL 214 | Islam in Indonesia | Elective |
| 8 | ISL 215 | Islam and Politics | Elective |
| 9 | ISL 224 | Comparative Religion | Elective |
Semester III
| No | Code | Course | Type |
| 1 | ISL 216 | Proposal Seminar | Core |
| 2 | ISL 217 | Journal Article Publication | Core |
| 3 | ISL 218 | Independent Project on Islam and Muslim Societies | Core |
Semester IV
| No | Code | Course | Type |
| 1 | ISL 219 | Thesis | Core |
