Islamic Studies

Islamic Studies is an umbrella term for the academic study of Islam, Muslim cultures and societies, and Islamic knowledge through a variety of subject areas and perspectives.

Islamic studies network

Following recommendations from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) a team from across our subject network is working to build a national Islamic Studies network. Please visit the following page for more information:

http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/universitiesandcolleges/islamicstudies

Islamic Studies event

There is now a report available from the Islamic Studies Network event held on 25-26 May in Birmingham.

Islamic Studies Network online consultation

Following recommendations from HEFCE, a team from across the Higher Education Academy's subject network is working to build a national Islamic Studies network.

Colleagues are invited to participate in a consultation to inform the development of a new Islamic Studies Network.

Please visit the LLAS website to fill in the questionnaire:

http://www.llas.ac.uk/news/newsitem.aspx?resourceid=3286

International approaches to Islamic Studies in higher education

The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies (PRS), in partnership with the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS), has prepared a report for HEFCE on international approaches to Islamic Studies. The report examines the historical development and current state of Islamic Studies in eight countries: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Australia, Malaysia and Turkey. It also presents perspectives on recent developments in Islamic Studies and the responses of governments, policy makers and funding bodies; interactions between institutions of higher education and faith-based organisations and communities; and case studies that highlight examples of innovative practice in relation to Islamic Studies in higher education. The report was commissioned by HEFCE to inform its activities relating to Islamic Studies, which was designated a Strategically Important Subject in June 2007.

http://www.llas.ac.uk/projects/2888

Islamic Studies Provision in UK Higher Education

Working in partnership with the Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies, a team based at LLAS has carried out research funded by HEFCE on the provision of Islamic Studies-related modules at all UK Higher Education Institutions. The research showed that Islamic Studies is located in a wide variety of disciplines and departments, but that the bulk of provision is concentrated in a small number of pre-1992 universities. However, some provision was found at the majority of universities investigated. This research will inform further work to support academics working in Islamic Studies by providing clear data on the breadth and scope of current provision.

More information about the project can be found here: http://www.llas.ac.uk/projects/project_item.aspx?resourceid=3297

The report has now been published on the HEFCE website: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rdreports/2010/rd06_10/

FaceBook and Twitter

Keep up to date with the work of the Islamic Studies project on FaceBook and Twitter.

Dr Gary Bunt is the academic co-ordinator for the Islamic Studies project. Please contact him if you would like any more information about how to get involved.