Contemporary Muslim Studies MA
- The MA is unique in Britain in that it draws upon inter-disciplinary expertise in Islamic, Finance, Management, media relations and Muslim relations with the West.
- Full-time or part-time study
- Taught by scholars with international reputations in their respective fields Standalone courses for personal and professional development
- September starts
The MA programme will be of particular interest to Business Studies graduates with an interest in the Muslim world. Many Muslims are finding their way into business, finance and management, including the public service organisations and the Third Sector, but also demanding knowledge of their own culture and religion and how it meets the demands of the modern world. The MA offers students engagement with topical areas of personal, professional and academic interest with a focus on Islamic management and finance. It is distinctive in that it provides students the opportunity to engage with these business topics alongside religious, cultural and media issues within the context of Muslims relations with the West.
The Structure of the MA
You would normally begin by taking the core course followed by seven other courses and finally by a dissertation in order to achieve the MA. Research methods would be compulsory as part of dissertation preparation. You can also complete a postgraduate diploma (core plus seven courses) or a postgraduate certificate (core plus three courses). There is also a free standing Postgraduate Certificate in Contemporary Islamic Finance and Organisation taught completely within the Business Studies department.
The Core Course
The core course is Islam and the West. This course is normally taken at the start of the MA programme of study. The course explores the history, development and contemporary location of Muslims in the West in the context of relations between Islam and the West. Drawing upon case studies, the course will examine religion and public life, citizenship, the relations between the secular and the sacred, and pluralism in the context of the Muslim presence in the West.
Dissertation
On a subject of your choice and agreed with your supervisor you will write a 15,000 word researched essay after completing the designated research methods course. This is compulsory for completion of the MA degree.
Delivery
If you register as a full-time participant on the MA, you are normally required to complete within one year. Courses are delivered in the evenings, daytime and sometimes in short blocks. You will be encouraged to put your programme together with the help of staff and suited to your needs and availability. A wide spectrum of teaching and learning methodologies are incorporated into the courses. Students will have experience of a range of modes of learning: lecture input, participation in seminars, discussion with other students, and individual tutorials where appropriate. They will learn through library searches, internet searches, the use of the university’s VLE system, preparation of written and oral assignments and feedback on assignments.
Content
- Core course (all routes)
- Islam and the West
Prerequisites
- Research Methods (MA)
- Dissertation
(MA)Business Studies Courses Islamic Finance and Banking
The course provides a detailed working knowledge of Islamic banking and finance and a comparison with conventional banking. Islamic alternatives to insurance are also explored.
Islamic Economics
The course explores the fundamentals of Islamic economy focusing on the history of the Islamic economic system, implications of the application of shari’a law in the economic realm and the relationships between Islamic economics and Western economic systems.
Islamic Management and Organisation Structures
The course explores the central dimensions of Islamic organisation such as the integral relationship between business organisation and ethical principles, the historical framework and evolution of Islamic scholarship concerning organisation, management, leadership and motivation.
Engaging with society and culture Islam in Britain
The course explores the origins, development and current controversies of Muslim communities in Britain. Attention is given to migration patterns, religious development, relation of religion, ethnicity and citizenship.
