Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

This course offers a broad and comparative introduction to the social, historical and political aspects of Islam. It will cover a range of areas and disciplines, such as international relations theories and practice, human rights, international business, and concepts of nationalism and post-colonialism.

Upon completion of this course, students will have:

• a comprehensive understanding of Islamic civilisation, history and contemporary politics
• an appreciation and understanding of the diversity for Islamic culture and Muslim societies and the issues facing them in Asia, North Africa or the Middle East
• highly developed critical thinking skills, particularly in regard to analysis of contemporary Islam and the perceived challenges it poses
• the ability to integrate theoretical understandings and analysis of Islam in the historical and contemporary context into their own professional workplace environment
• highly developed collaborative learning and research skills
• the ability to work and research independently on complex academic and workplace-based projects
• high level writing, communication and presentation skills.

36 credit points

This course consists of 48 points at level four (three cores and one elective unit) and 24 points at level five (one core and one elective unit) as outlined below:

Core units

• PLM4090 Interfaith relations in the 21st Century
• PLM4420 Islam and modernity
• PLM4490 Islam in Indonesia and Turkey
• PLM5430 Political Islam

Electives

Students select one level four elective and one level five elective from the following:

• ASM4230 Culture and conflict in Indonesia
• EUM4020/EUM5020 Religion and secularism in the quest for European integration
• MAI4002/MAI5002 Islamic economics
• RLM4040 Islamic Thought in the modern world
• PLM4460/PLM5460 Conflict resolution and Islam in the Middle East
• PLM4470/PLM5470 Islam in South Asia
• PLM5620 Research project (9000 words, 12 pts)*

* Entry to the research project elective will be reserved for students with distinction-plus results in the three level four core units. The research unit may only be taken at level five.

Students may apply to exit after successful completion of:

• 24 points with a related graduate certificate .
• 48 points with a related graduate diploma.

Master of Islamic Studies