What will I study?
Overview
Study subjects that range from Islam in the Modern World and Islam, Media and Conflict, through to Sufism: The Spiritual Dimension of Islam and The First Centuries of Islam.
Your course structure
The Bachelor of Arts requires the successful completion of 24 subjects (300-points), including at least one major. Most students study eight subjects each year (usually four subjects in each semester) for three years full-time, or the part-time equivalent.
Most Arts majors require 100 points of study (usually eight subjects) for attainment. This means out of your 300-point program, you have the opportunity to achieve two majors in your course.
COMPLETING YOUR MAJOR
If you are taking Islamic Studies as a major, you must complete:
- One level 1 subject AND Arts Discovery
- One level 2 compulsory subject plus 25 points (usually two subjects) of level 2 elective subjects
- 25 points (usually two subjects) of level 3 elective subjects and
- One level 3 Capstone subject
Note: The capstone is compulsory for students completing a major in Islamic Studies. The capstone is not available to students completing a minor or breadth studies.
If you are taking Islamic Studies as a minor, you must complete:
- One level 1 subject AND Arts Discovery
- One level 2 compulsory subject plus 12.5 points (usually one subject) level two elective
- 25 points (usually two subjects) of level 3 elective subjects
BREADTH STUDIES
Breadth is a unique feature of the Melbourne curriculum. It gives you the chance to explore subjects outside of arts, developing new perspectives and learning to collaborate with others who have different strengths and interests — just as you will in your future career.
Some of our students use breadth to explore creative interests or topics they have always been curious about. Others used breadth to improve their career prospects by complementing their major with a language, communication skills or business expertise.
Fatih Oguzhan
Fatih Oguzhan is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring inIslamic Studies and Criminology.
Many people are unaware of how diverse and complex Islamic history is. I chose this major because I thought it was important to be educated about Islam, share knowledge with others, especially in a society where Islam is often immediately associated with violence. As a Muslim, studying Islamic Studies from an academic perspective has made me realise how little I knew about my faith.
Through-out my undergraduate course, I have read widely on different approaches to interpreting the Qur’an, each of which offers new ways of making a seventh-century text remain relevant in the 21st century.
Media discourse tends to use very problematic terms such as ‘Jihadi’ or ‘fundamentalist’, without understanding the subtle differences between them. Forming your own ideas and ensuring that you do not simply accept everything at face value has been a key part of the course.
Last year, I wrote an essay on how a small group of scholars aim to reconcile non-heterosexuality with Islam. This exposed me to very interesting ideas and approaches in interpreting verses relating to the narrative of Lot/Lut.
I also had the privilege to study on exchange at King’s College London for six months, where I had completed four modules for my degree. I really cherish the time I spent there.
I am interested in modern Qur’anic hermeneutics, and how new methodologies can offer a way to read, understand, and apply the text in the 21st century. I am also interested in the esoteric dimension of Islam (Sufism) and the rich intellectual history/heritage of Islam. My long-term goal and dream career is to become an academic tutor in Islamic Studies at the Asia Institute of the University of Melbourne, teaching students subjects I once studied, such as Understanding Islam and Muslim Societies or Introduction to Islamic Spirituality.
Explore this major
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.