Master of arts 1 Islamic Studies

Programme Overview

This first year of the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies offers a thorough and methodical introduction to the study of Islam, grasped at once as belief, practice, history, language and law. Students explore the foundations of Muslim faith and worship — the pillars of Islam and of faith, and eschatology —, the historical formation of Islam from pre-Islamic Arabia to the Abbasid golden age, the major questions raised by Quranic scholarship and by the constitution of the hadith, the spiritual and mystical dimension of Sufism, the doctrines and currents of the contemporary Arab world, the relationship of Islam to Christianity, as well as the principles of Islamic law (fiqh) and the singular status of the Arabic language within the Islamic tradition.

The programme combines courses, semester seminars, the critical analysis of sources and semester assessments, in order to distinguish at every step the confessional approach from the historical and academic one, to develop a rigorous and detached reading of the foundational texts, and to acquire the scholarly vocabulary and the chronological landmarks that are indispensable. This first year thus provides the essential foundation required to address, in the second year, Shiite Islam, theology and medieval Arabic philosophy, and then to embark on the research work of the dissertation. 

Year Outcomes

The 1st year of the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies enables the student to:

• Master the historical, doctrinal and linguistic foundations of Islam.
• Situate Islam within its various cultural contexts and historical periods.
• Understand the major spiritual figures and the principal schools of thought.
• Approach the contemporary issues of Islam in its relationship to modernity.
• Train in the critical reading and the analysis of source texts.

Targeted Competencies

Scholarly Foundations: Sources, History and Classical Thought of Islam

• Master the fundamental beliefs of Islam, analyse its foundational texts and draw on scholarly Arabic.
• Situate Islam within its history and interpret its major classical theological and philosophical doctrines.

Norms, Spirituality, Plurality and Interreligious Relations

• Understand the sources of Islamic law and give an account of the spiritual and mystical tradition of Islam.
• Analyse contemporary currents, the plurality of Islam and its relations with other religious traditions.

Research Method and Scholarly Production

• Design and conduct autonomous research and write a scholarly dissertation.

First-Year Master in Islamic Studies Program

Semester 1

• [2603] General Methodology
• [2649] Islam: Practices and Beliefs
• [2652] Arabic, the Human Language Chosen by God
• [2651] Sufism
• [2650] Contemporary Islam: Doctrines and Schools of Thought in the Arab World
• Thematic seminar

Semester 2

• [2653] The Beginnings of Islam: From Pre-Islamic Arabia to the Golden Age of the Abbasids
• [2654] The Quran: An In-Depth Introduction
• [2655] Introduction to Islamic Law
• [24705] History and Theology of Dialogue: Christian-Muslim Dialogue
• Thematic Seminar

Learning Format

The program is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and videos, depending on the course;
• interactive activities (quizzes, exercises);
• discussion forums with instructors and fellow students.

Personalized support is provided throughout the program through a dedicated academic advisor. An expert in their field, the advisor supports the student at every stage of the program, particularly in completing semester assignments, offering tailored methodological and academic guidance.

This support is based on regular interaction, organized through various formats, to ensure individualized, needs-based follow-up for each student.

Assessment Methods

Successful completion of the first year of History depends on meeting the various assessment requirements. It is based on:

passing the assessment quizzes for each course, which verify the acquisition of fundamental knowledge;
passing the semester assessments, including written assignments (deliverables) and oral presentations.
Completion of the year requires an overall minimum average of 10/20. 

Who This Program Is For

This program is designed for:

• holders of a Bachelor's degree in theology, social sciences or humanities, or any other equivalent qualification;
• professionals working in ecclesial, educational, cultural, or social settings who wish to strengthen their skills in analysis, teaching, and mediation.

PREREQUISITES

Admission to the program is open to candidates with a baccalaureate level of education or equivalent. It also requires a good command of written French, necessary for understanding the coursework and completing the required assignments.

Compliance with these prerequisites is verified by the admissions office when reviewing the application.

ECTS Accreditation

The program is structured using ECTS credits. In accordance with European standards arising from the Bologna Process, one ECTS credit corresponds to an estimated total workload of 25 to 30 hours, including all required learning activities (instruction, independent work, and assessments).
The total workload for the program is determined on this basis.

Accessibility

The program is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device. For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to all resources.

Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle – cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu. 

Admission Procedure

1. Complete the online admission form.
2. Our admissions office will review your application.
3. If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with the information needed to complete your enrollment.