Islamic Thought and Muslim Societies (ITMS) - Dual Degree Program
The Islamic Thought and Muslim Societies (ITMS) concentration within the Master of Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies program at the Graduate School of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta is a Dual Degree program. It focuses on the dynamic intersection of classical and contemporary Islamic thought with the sociological realities of Muslim societies. This program is designed to equip students with interdisciplinary analytical frameworks, integrating area studies, historical perspectives, and social sciences to effectively address the complex global challenges encountered by the Islamic world.
Curriculum Structure
Semester 1
| No. | Course Title | Credits (SKS) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islamic Studies: Text and Context | 3 |
| 2 | Research Methods | 4 |
| 3 | Contemporary Islamic Thought | 3 |
| 4 | Knowledge and Authority in Muslim Societies | 3 |
| Total Credits Semester 1 | 13 | |
Semester 2
| No. | Course Title | Credits (SKS) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Religion and Social Theories | 3 |
| 6 | Thesis Proposal Seminar | 4 |
| 7 | Special Topic: Religion and Society | 3 |
| 8 | Islam and Local Cultures | 3 |
| Total Credits Semester 2 | 13 | |
Semester 4
| No. | Course Title | Credits (SKS) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Thesis | 10 |
| Total Program Credits | 36 | |
Course Descriptions
Islamic Studies: Text and Context
Examines the dialectical relationship between foundational Islamic texts (the Quran, Hadith, and classical intellectual heritage) and the social, cultural, and political realities of Muslim societies. Utilizing exegesis, hermeneutics, and critical social sciences, students develop integrative analytical skills to read religious texts contextually and reflectively.
Research Methods
Provides the methodological foundation required to design and execute interdisciplinary research in Islamic studies. The course introduces qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches, alongside hermeneutical, historical, and socio-cultural frameworks, while strongly emphasizing research ethics and cultural sensitivity.
Contemporary Islamic Thought
Analyzes the concepts of reform, modernity, and intellectual responses within 20th and 21st-century Islamic thought. This course scrutinizes the discursive debates among traditionalism, modernism, and neo-modernism in addressing the challenges of global socio-political transformations.
Knowledge and Authority in Muslim Societies
Investigates the construction of religious authority and the production of knowledge within Muslim societies. The study focuses on shifts in fatwa-issuing authorities, the strategic role of educational institutions, and the impact of new media on traditional Islamic scholarly hierarchies.
Religion and Social Theories
Explores foundational and contemporary social theories utilized to comprehend religion as a social and cultural phenomenon. The course critically assesses the function, role, and transformation of religion in modern societies, focusing specifically on the intersection of religion, power, economics, and identity.
Thesis Proposal Seminar
Serves as an academic forum for students to formulate and refine their thesis research proposals. Through faculty mentorship and peer review, students articulate their research problem, theoretical framework, methodology, and academic relevance, thereby cultivating skills in scientific argumentation.
Special Topic: Religion and Society
Examines the dynamic interactions between religion and society through specific case studies and advanced social theories. The approach is centered on the social construction of religiosity, religious movements, and the ongoing processes of social change within the Islamic world.
Islam and Local Cultures
Investigates the intersection of universal Islamic teachings and the particularities of local cultures. This course critically explores the processes of acculturation, assimilation, and cultural negotiation that shape diverse religious expressions and practices across various regions.
Thesis
Represents the culminating academic achievement of the master's program. It demonstrates the student's capacity to conduct systematic, critical, and original independent research. The thesis integrates Islamic theories with social sciences to produce scholarship relevant to contemporary challenges.