Islamic Studies at UK

Since the early eighties Islamic Studies was part of the Department of Russian & Eastern Studies (RAE) at the University of Kentucky.

The growing interest in understanding the worldwide development of Islam since the mid-nineties, the rapidly increase of student enrollment, and the support of the Muslim community encouraged the efforts in the further development of course offerings. With the financial sponsorship of the local Muslim community two endowments of Islamic Books at the UK Libraries were created.

Since the spring semester of 2000 a new phase in the development of Islamic Studies at UK was started through the creation of a full-time lectureship position at the Department of Russian & Eastern Studies.

 The approval of a MINOR in Islamic Studies in the spring of 2002 and the creation of a second faculty position in Islamic Studies emphasize the timely response of the University to the growing interest in understanding.

General Goals:

1.       Develop basic understanding of Islamic culture.

2.       Cultivate a sense of multi-cultural environment and diversity in the light of the growing Muslim community in the USA.

3.       Enable students to acquire international perspectives prepared to make wise decisions in the light of the increasing political and economic ties with the Muslim nations around the world.

4.       Develop an informed appreciation of the contributions of the Islamic civilization to the accumulation of knowledge in the history of the humankind.

5.       Develop skills in accessing worldwide resources in the different fields of interest.

Degree Programs:

Students can obtain a MINOR in Islamic Studies. For details check MINOR in Islamic Studies.

Students can also obtain a TOPICAL MAJOR in Islamic Studies or Middle-Eastern Studies. For details on the topical major option, check the the University of Kentucky Bulletin, speak to an advisor in 257 Patterson Office Tower, or e-mail Dr. Suleiman Darrat at sdarrat@uky.edu.

Course Offerings:

Language:

  • Modern Standard Arabic (AIS 101; AIS 102; AIS 201; AIS 202):
    An introduction to the standard written language of the Arab World. Initial emphasis upon the phonology and script, followed by gradual coverage of the grammar, with exercises in reading, writing, pronunciation, and vocabulary building.
    The course is spread over four semesters, two elementary and two intermediate with 4 credit hours each.

·         Colloquial Arabic (AIS 301; AIS 302)

The course aims at providing advanced skills in developing linguistic and communicative skills in colloquial Arabic based on Egyptian Arabic that is widely understood throughout the Arab world.  Students will be introduced to many aspects of Egyptian cultural life. It is designed for those who have some experience with Standard Arabic.

  • Arabic Reading (AIS 442: AIS 443):
    The courses aim at providing advanced skills in speaking, reading, and analyzing selected texts from classical and modern Arabic literature. It provides training in the use of Arabic computer software, the Internet in accessing Newspaper and Magazine sites, Arabic TV and radio stations, and electronic games to enhance the learning outcome of language.

Culture:

  • Islamic Civilization I (AIS 328):
    The rise of Islam, its sources and its development to a worldwide civilization is presented in the light of its significance to Muslims today.

This course with 3 credit hours satisfies the cross-cultural requirement of the University Studies Program (UPS). It is offered regularly every fall semester.

  • Islamic Civilization II (AIS 330):
    The sources of Islam will be overviewed as an essential introduction in understanding the later phases of Islamic Civilization and its relations to the Western World.
    The course satisfies the cross-cultural requirement of the University Studies Program (UPS). It is offered regularly every spring semester.
  • Topics in Islamic Studies (AIS 435):
    Variable in content under different subtitles, this course focuses on important texts and issues in Islamic history, religion, literature, and philosophy.

    Students may enroll under the same course number up to a maximum of six credit hours under different subtitles.

    Some of  the subtitles offered recently:
    • The intellectual origins of Islamic Resurgence
    • Gender Issues in Islam
    • The life of Prophet Mohammed

o        Islamic Political Thought

  • Introduction to the Qur’an (AIS 440):

 An introduction to the Qur'an, the related disciplines of knowledge, and its major themes are presented and discussed.

  • Fundamentalism and Reform (AIS 340):
    This course focuses on the revival of Islam in the 20th century and the various responses of Islam to modernism and western political and intellectual domination.  Particular attention will be given to the rise of militant Islam and the terrorist attacks of 9/11.  The original writings of major thinkers will be read and discussed.
  • Women and Islam (AIS 338):

This course is a survey of women’s issues related to Islam and contemporary Muslim culture including the perception of women in Islam, the role and rights of women in Islam, female circumcision, honor killing and women’s dress.  The course will discuss the viewpoints of the Muslim traditionalists, modernists, western feminists and the emerging Islamic feminists

Literature:

  • Classical Arabic Literature (in English) (AIS 331):
    Reading from some of the major works of Arabic literature (poetry and prose) of the 6th-14th centuries which are an integral part of the Arab cultural heritage, e.g., the Mu'allaqat, Koran, Ibn Ishaq's Sirah; al-Tabari's Ta'rikh; Abu'l Faraj's Kitab al-Aghani; al-Ghazzali's Ihya; al-Hariri's Maqamat; and Ibn Khaldun's Muqaddimah.