• D1: Introduction to Western Intellectual History

• D2: Science in the World Today (1): Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science

• D3: Science in the World Today (2): Understanding Contemporary Debates in Ethics & Science from an Islamic Perspective

• D4: British Islam Today

• D5: Managing Mosques & Charitable Institutions

• D6: Effective Communication Skills

• D7: Islam & Gender

• D8: Islam and Religious Pluralism: Theological and Historical Perspectives

• D9: Understanding Modern Islamic Political Thought

• D10: Sacred Art & Architecture of the World

• D11: Introduction to Astronomy

• D12: Introduction to World Religions & Inter-Faith Dialogue

• D13: Understanding UK Law & Government

• D14: Islamic Counselling & Dispute Resolution

• D15: Effective Community Leadership & Development

• D16: Islamic Perspectives on the Environment & Lifestyle

• D17: Introduction to the Social Sciences

• D18: Introduction to World History

• D19: History of the 19th and 20th centuries with special reference to the Muslim World

Covers the main trends of ‘Western’ thought from Ancient Greece to post-modernity. The aim is to help students gain a critical understanding of the intellectual climate of the 21st century. Particular reference will be made to the points of convergence and divergence with the intellectual history of Islamic civilisations.
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Introduces students to the nature of scientific knowledge and its development through the contributions of different civilisations.
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Introduces contemporary questions about scientific innovation and ethics with reference to the responses in Islamic thought and jurisprudence to these questions. Students will relate the Muslim concepts of ijtihād and fatāwā to historical and contemporary discussions about how Islam accommodates and critiques technological change and scientific advances.
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Covers the history of Muslims in Britain and helps students understand the sociological factors shaping the community today, from its socio-economic situation to the impact of the media and government policy, exploring how British Muslim identities have been and continue to be formed.
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Covers the effective management of mosques and other charitable institutions, with reference to increasing social and regulatory demands for accountability and inclusiveness. As well as the legal obligations, students will learn how to access appropriate services and deal with government bodies to help run dynamic and relevant organisations.
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Develops the students’ skills in oral and written communication, allowing them the chance to study these separately from assessment in other subjects. This course will provide important transferable skills beneficial to faith leadership and any area of employment.
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Analyses approaches to gender within traditional Muslim scholarship, referring to historical examples and contemporary questions about gender roles. The course will encourage students to relate these theoretical considerations to social problems affecting the Muslim community today, such as domestic violence, forced marriage, increasing rates of divorce etc.
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Introduces and analyses normative Islamic understandings of religious pluralism. Beginning with a survey of how Muslim scholars have interpreted the canonical sources relating to non-Muslims, it will also present examples of how Muslims have historically organised themselves in multi-religious and multi-cultural societies.
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Surveys the diverse tradition of Islamic political theory, focusing on the normative practice under Seljuk, Ottoman and Mogul states, before analysing the impact of the reformist thinkers of the 19th and 20th centuries and contemporary debates about the relationship of religion and state in the Muslim world and the political participation of Muslims in the West.
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Introduces students to the history of sacred art and its influence. Within a comparative framework, particular attention will be paid to Islamic art and Islamic theories of aesthetics.
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Covers the history, theory and practice of astronomy, particularly its development in Muslim civilisations and the modern West. Students will relate this to contemporary debates about the fiqh of moon-sighting, calendars etc., and how they can help address the perennial problems these create for the community.
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Presents a general understanding of the major faiths and methods of religious dialogue appropriate to respectful, constructive and honest dialogue and co-operation with adherents of other faiths. This course will focus partly on the religious history of Britain as a means to address these questions.
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Introduces the history and operation of the British legal and governmental system. This will be related to influencing decision-making, accessing services, and giving constructive advice to others, focusing on areas particularly relevant to community leadership such as immigration, asylum, employment, family law, police powers, planning, and others.
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Introduces the theory and practice of counselling and dispute resolution with reference to Islamic models of addressing mental illness, substance abuse, distress and conflict. Students will learn how to apply these methods and also when and how to seek further support to help those in need of advice or treatment.
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Introduces methods of designing and implementing successful community outreach and development projects. This course also allows students to develop their organisational, fundraising, communication and leadership skills.
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Covers Islamic approaches to the environment and healthy living, relating them to contemporary debates on these issues. The course highlights the Islamic concept of stewardship of the earth and the dangers of excessive consumption, encouraging students to apply these to encourage cleaner, healthier and more spiritually rewarding lifestyles for themselves and others.
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Introduces some major aspects of the social sciences and enables students to apply them critically both to the situation of the Muslim community and wider debates about religion and society. The course will include economics, sociology and psychology and political theory, and address their strengths and weaknesses in helping to understand social problems.
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Introduces the development of major world civilisations and the main trends of world history. Although naturally it will not cover the detail of events, it will provide an overall appreciation of the chronology of human history as well as addressing theories of the development and interaction of civilisations over time.
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Presents the major events and trends of the 19th and 20th centuries with special reference to their impact in the Muslim world. Students will analyse the shaping of the Muslim world during the colonial period, independence movements and post-colonial period, and relate these to the contemporary situation of the Muslim world.
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