Islamic Studies

Why Islamic Studies?

Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. It is embraced by approximately one-fifth of the world’s population. The Islamic Studies program at the University of Melbourne provides students with the opportunity to study the development of Islamic thought and Muslim societies from a broad multidisciplinary perspective. Dedicated teaching staff provide expertise in areas ranging from modern Islamic hermeneutics, political thought and gender issues, to the study of economics and finance in Muslim societies. Students who specialise in Islamic Studies develop transferable skills that will enhance their career options. They are also able to expand on their interest and knowledge through an articulated structure of higher degree study at the University of Melbourne.

• The Sultan of Oman Endowed Chair in Arab and Islamic Studies
• Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society
• National Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies (NCCIS)

Islamic Studies addresses the issues relevant to the development of Islam as a religion and civilisation from its origins to the present. It draws on broad multidisciplinary perspectives provided by subjects taught by the programs of anthropology, Arabic Studies, cultural studies, history, Indonesian Studies, philosophy, political science and Islamic Studies.

The strength of the program lies in that it allows students to study Islam and Muslim societies from a multidisciplinary 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.

Why Islamic Studies at Melbourne?

The Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne hosts one of the premier Islamic Studies programs in the world. Its experienced staff has decades of in-country expertise. The Islamic Studies program has access to a wide range of resources and expertise available at the Asia Institute. Relying on such expertise, the Islamic Studies program provides thorough training in the study of contemporary Islamic culture, politics and society. For students interested in in-country training, they may enrol in the University of Melbourne Overseas Subjects (UMOS) like Analysing Indonesia: Concepts and Issues (INDO20001) in collaboration with Udayana University in Bali.

How can I study Islamic Studies?

Undergraduate students can study Islamic Studies as:

• A Bachelor of Arts Islamic Studies major or Bachelor of Arts Islamic Studies minor in a or combined Arts degree, or as a breadth option within your non-Arts degree (see Islamic Studies subjects below)
• In a fourth-year honours program (pure or combined)

Islamic Studies can also be studied through the following:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts – Islamic Studies
• Graduate Diploma in Arts – Islamic Studies
• Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) – Islamic Studies
• Single subject studies (Community Access Program)

At the graduate level, Islamic Studies offer courses for:

• Master of Arts (Thesis Only)
• Doctor of Philosophy – Arts

Islamic Studies can also be a component in Asian Studies and Political Science at either undergraduate or graduate level.

Available subjects

The Asia Institute offers a range of subjects in Islamic Studies. Some examples include:

• Global Islamic Politics (ISLM10003)
• The Qur’an: An Introduction (ISLM20003)
• Islam in the Modern World (ISLM10002)
• Introduction to Islamic Spirituality (ISLM20016)
• Ethical Traditions in Islam (ISLM30003)
• Human Rights, Muslims and Islamic Law (ISLM30019)
• Crisis Zone: Middle Eastern Politics (ISLM20015)
• The Modern Middle East (HIST30015)
• Crisis Zone: Age of Uprisings (ISLM30018)

See the full list of subjects in the Handbook

Where can Islamic Studies take me?

An Islamic Studies major can allow students to access professional opportunities in myriad areas of government and commerce – such as foreign affairs, immigration, defence, international trade and community and cultural affairs. Other career pathways include teaching, social work and also journalism and media production, owing to the significant interest in Islam and Muslim issues both domestically and abroad.

Furthermore, a major in Islamic Studies will equip students seeking commercial opportunities in Halal food and agribusiness (estimated to be worth US$1.6 trillion per annum globally) with the cultural understanding of Muslim-majority regions and countries to work with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.