No GRE/GMAT Masters Program in Islamic Studies

Islamic Studies engages students in the study of the religious institutions, texts and devotional life of Muslim societies. It encourages the study of Islam within a framework emphasizing the dynamic interaction between a global religious tradition and its multiple contexts (political, social, historical, literary, etc). Study in this field usually requires some competence in Arabic and or another language relevant to the student specific Islamic research interests.

The Evolution of Religious Nationalism in Pakistan: Islamic Identity, Ideology and State Power.

Forging New identities: Genealogy, Ethnicity, and the Pre-Islamic Prophets in Medieval Islam.

Stoning in the Islamic Tradition: The Case of Northern Nigeria.

Critical Studies in Asian, Islamic, and Jewish Traditions.

PURPOSE: The PhD program prepares students for teaching and advanced scholarship in religious studies. Training is two-fold. Students are first introduced to a variety of critical approaches to the study of religion. Questions of theory and method are central. Each student will also focus on one primary and one secondary religious tradition. Graduates of the Critical Studies program will emerge 1) with a rigorous grounding in at least one religious tradition and 2) in conversation with the wider contemporary social scientific and humanities disciplines as they relate to the study of religion.

Thus objects and ideas are not taken to be inherently religious, but rather assume this quality thanks to historical, ideological, or methodological gestures. Comparative approaches to religion may also frame this type of research. The orientation is toward the disciplinary object (and the conditions for its emergence), the disciplinary subject (and the conditions for its emergence), and their dialectical interaction. Neither theory nor method can be appropriated aside from the object to be methodically theorized.

TRAINING: Students are expected to devote a significant portion of their graduate study to familiarizing themselves with the major critical theories and methods of Religious Studies.

AREA OF CONCENTRATION: Students will take courses moving toward Qualifying Examinations and the writing of a dissertation. The bulk of the student courses, to be worked out with the student adviser, will be directed toward developing a major area of concentration. This major area of concentration will consist of courses in methodology as well as in a particular religious tradition. These courses should be chosen so as to lead to a dissertation that will make a contribution to a) the methodological study of religion and or b) the understanding of a particular religious tradition.

MINOR FIELD:Each student is also expected to develop a minor, consisting of at least twelve hours of course work and a Qualifying Examination (Exam #4) in a second religious tradition. A Minor Area Worksheet must be completed before the student sits for Qualifying Exams.

EARNING A MINOR: GDR students outside of Critical Studies may complete a minor in this area.

2) Options for one of the languages: Students may count reading knowledge of an ancient language, such as Sanskrit, Biblical or Rabbinic Hebrew, Greek, and other relevant ancient languages as their second language (the ancient form and the modern form of the same language count as a single language). Students who pass a graduate level course in statistics or statistical research design may count that course as fulfilling the second language requirement, except when the student native language fulfills the first language requirement. This option is possible only if statistical research is essential to the student proposed dissertation work.

The prospectus will include bibliographies Sample bibliographies online for each examination.

QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS: Qualifying Examinations will consist of five parts: 1) an examination on the development and content of critical theories of religion, with an emphasis on the particular methodology or theory of religion that the student proposes to employ in the dissertation 2) an examination on a primary religious tradition 3) an examination on a focused aspect of that primary tradition 4) an examination on the tradition of the student minor track and 5) an oral examination on a draft (6-12 pp, single spaced not including bibliography) of the dissertation proposal. This discussion will not change the grades given, but will be a chance for committee members to explore with the student omissions and weaknesses that might hinder dissertation writing. A research paper may be substituted for exam four, in consultation with the minor area adviser. [Sample questions online].

At least four members must be from the VU Graduate School. Students are encouraged to begin organizing a committee early in their second year, and not to leave this until just before the Exams period.

STUDY ABROAD: Normally students are expected to have spent time studying or living in a region associated with the primary religious tradition of the dissertation. However in certain cases, for example projects centered on North America or the Ancient world, travel and study abroad may not be relevant.

TEACHING PRACTICUM: Students are expected to complete on or off campus a practicum in teaching in the area of Religious Studies. This training aims to provide real-world skills in the college classroom. Ideally the student completes Teaching Assistant assignments and follows that with planning and teaching their own courses in a professional environment.

Students who intend to pursue work with Arabic texts or in South Asian languages typically have the necessary language skills prior to admission, although some may pursue additional study while enrolled to gain greater proficiency. Other language studies, including the choice of secondary and modern research languages (typically including French and or German), will depend on the project to be pursued.

Kecia Ali (Islamic law women and gender ethics and biography).

Graduate Level Courses in the Religion.

The Master of Arts in Islamic Studies, offered by the Religion, focus on the study of Islam in its classical and contemporary formations, with an emphasis on developing competence in classical Islamic intellectual traditions. such as working professionals, civil servants, and employees of international agencies the opportunity to tailor the program to their particular needs.

A concentration in Shi'ism is available in the MA program. A comprehensive study must include both major branches of Islamic tradition for a full understanding of current issues in the world of Islam, and what its future holds.

Qualified applicants who intend to pursue the concentration in Shi'ism may be eligible for community supported fellowships. These fellowships are not sponsored, awarded, or managed by the university.

Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.

500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application.

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

All students must complete at least four semesters of Arabic, which do not count toward the 36 credits required for the program. Alternatively, students may demonstrate competence in Arabic through examination. Depending on their focus of study, students may also be asked to take courses in other languages, which do not count toward the degree. In rare instances, students may substitute another language for Arabic, such as Persian, Turkish, or Urdu, if their research focuses on texts composed in one of these languages.

Most of the selected courses should focus on Islam in the contemporary world.

Selected courses should focus on Islam in the contemporary world.