Faculty of Arts

Islamic Studies

Islamic Studies is an interdepartmental program housed in the Department of Language Studies. The program allows students to study the development of Islam as a religion and civilisation from its origins to the present. The program will provide students opportunities to study Islam and Muslim societies particularly in the modern period from a broad multi-disciplinary perspective relying on several core and relevant subjects available in Islamic Studies, Anthropology, Arabic Studies, Cultural Studies, History, Indonesian Studies, Philosophy and Politics.

The strength of the program lies in the fact that it allows students to study Islam and Muslim societies from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Students in this program are encouraged to develop their interests in Islamic Studies and in another area of study which would provide them with skills to analyse issues relevant to Islam and Muslim societies with a reasonable understanding of Islamic world view, its value system, and particular historical experiences. It also allows students to major in Islamic Studies without having to go through the normal Arabic language requirement, which at times discourages many prospective students from taking Islamic Studies as an important part of their undergraduate studies.

The program is expected to be particularly attractive to students interested in working in an area where success depends at times on their understanding of Islam and Islamic Culture. Examples of such areas include Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Immigration, Ethnic Affairs, Journalism, Social Work and Teaching.

A major in Islamic Studies requires the completion of at least five subjects at SECOND AND THIRD-YEAR LEVEL, totalling 83.3 points, chosen from the list of subjects given here.

Course structure

At present there is no Honours program in Islamic Studies.

For Further Information please contact:

Dr Abdullah Saeed

Department of Language Studies

The University of Melbourne

telephone: (03) 9344 6861 or (03) 9344 5518 (Departmental Manager)

Subject Descriptions

150-213 Islamic Culture, History and Civilisation
150-212 Modern Arab World: Society and Culture
131-282 Islam, Modernity and the Middle East Since 1798
166-238 Islam, Politics and Society in the Middle East

Status:                   OFFICIAL 1997
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