Teaching Islamic Studies: cross-disciplinary issues Perspectives on Islamic Studies in higher education, 26 May

Islamic Studies Network: Background Siddiqui, Ataullah, Islam at Universities in England, April 2007 Islamic Studies designated a strategically important subject, June 2007 HEFCE programme of work related to Islamic Studies –Seminar: Islamic studies: current status and future prospects, November 2007 –Seminar: Islamic studies: the way forward in the UK, April 2008 –Report: Islamic Studies: trends and profiles, February 2008 –Report: International Approaches to Islamic Studies in Higher Education, June 2008 –Report: Islamic Studies Provision in the UK, March 2010 –JISC programme for digitisation of resources for Islamic Studies –Islamic Studies Network led by the Higher Education Academy

Report: International Approaches to Islamic Studies in Higher Education International Approaches to Islamic Studies in Higher Education (Subject Centres for LLAS and PRS, June 2008) 8 countries: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, United States, Australia, Malaysia, Turkey Themes –Historical development and current approaches to Islamic Studies –Size, scope and capacity: the health of the discipline –Relationships between publicly funded higher education institutions and faith-based institutions –Developments in Islamic Studies in the past ten years and responses from governments, policy makers and funding bodies –Case studies Full report available online:

Report: Islamic Studies Provision in the UK Islamic Studies Provision in the UK (Subject Centres for LLAS and PRS, March 2010) Data on provision at module level at all 156 public degree- awarding bodies, 5 private institutions with validated degrees Desk-based research through institutional websites Modules identified at 110 of 161 institutions 1,101 modules in Islamic Studies and related disciplines Findings used to inform work of Islamic Studies Network Full report available online:

Report: Islamic Studies Provision in the UK Modules by type of institution

Report: Islamic Studies Provision in the UK Modules by discipline

Report: Islamic Studies Network Consultation Questionnaire circulated in June-July 2009 Responses from 51 Islamic Studies academics High level of interest in a network for Islamic Studies Preferred activities –Seminars, workshops and conferences –Discussion groups Content areas of interest –Representation of Muslims and Islam –Islamic Studies in UK and internationally –Muslim communities in the UK Full report available online:

Islamic Studies Network: Overview UK-wide network for Islamic Studies academics to enhance teaching and learning in Islamic Studies, broadly defined Islamic Studies Network project team –Lisa Bernasek, Academic Coordinator –Team based at Higher Education Academy headquarters in York –Staff from 6 Subject Centres of the Higher Education Academy Islamic Studies Network advisory board –18 members from institutions around UK –Meet twice a year to consult on plans and advise on areas of focus

Islamic Studies Network: planned activity September 2010-July 2012 Events –4 regional workshops per year –2 postgraduate workshops per year –Possible conference May/June 2012 Grants –Discipline-focused grants to share and develop good practice in teaching and learning: call for applications September 2010 Publications –Quarterly online newsletter –Biannual magazine Perspectives: call for contributions out now Website

Islamic Studies Network: Subject Centre activity Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance Network (BMAF) History Subject Centre Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS) Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies (PRS) Subject Network for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics (C-SAP) UK Centre for Legal Education (UKCLE)

Islamic Studies Network: get involved Attend workshops Contribute to magazine Apply for a grant Share resources Join special interest groups Contribute to subject-specific publications

Cross-disciplinary issues in Islamic Studies Please reflect on one or two of the following issues for discussion: –Teaching introductory courses –Resource sharing and curriculum development, including online resources –Student recruitment and employability –Teaching in relation to political issues and current events –Collaboration (between disciplines or institutions) in teaching –Diversity of Islamic Studies programmes and academic expectations –Dialogue with Muslim communities and institutions