Programme specification 2012/2013. School of Oriental and African Studies

Transcription

1 Programme specification 2012/2013 School of Oriental and African Studies The following information forms the programme specification at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. It gives definitive information relating to a programme of study and is written for a public audience, particularly prospective and current students. It is also used for other purposes such as initial programme approval, and is therefore produced at the start of the programme development process. Once approved, it forms the baseline information for all statements relating to the programme and is updated as approved amendments are made. CORE INFORMATION Programme title MA Islamic Studies Final award MA Intermediate awards N/A Mode of attendance Full time (1 year) or part-time (2 or 3 years) UCAS code N/A Professional body accreditation N/A Date specification created/updated 24 March 2011 WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAMME? Why study at SOAS? 1 SOAS is unique as the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The School also has the largest concentration of specialist faculty concerned with the study of these areas at any university in the world. SOAS is consistently ranked among the top higher education institutions in the UK and the world and it also offers a friendly, vibrant environment for students in a diverse and close-knit community. What is special about this programme? in-depth study of the core texts of Islam (Qur'an, Hadith etc.) in the original Arabic. in-depth study of the language, style and translation of the Qur'an into English. wider optional courses in various disciplines and departments in the School. training in research through coursework and dissertation

2 Who would it suit? Programme structure Assessment summary flexible availability: can be taken in one, two or three years, to help those in full-time employment those wishing to do further research on Islam; teach about Islam in colleges and secondary schools; become community leaders and imams; work in the media, government, business. Students take three taught courses in Islamic Studies (one Major, two Minor) and write a 10,000 word dissertation linked to the Major course. Taught courses and dissertation each account for 25% of the final mark. Assessment of individual taught courses is typically 70% written examination, 30% coursework. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS SOAS has general minimum entrance requirements for registration for a postgraduate taught degree and these can be viewed at BA (hons) 2:1 (or equivalent) PROGRAMME AIMS to offer students the opportunity to concentrate on the Qur an, the Hadith and other Islamic texts, in the original Arabic, to provide a unique training in the translation of Islamic religious material, to develop practical skills in research and the presentation of results by writing essays or other pieces of work and by writing a substantial dissertation PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES What will the student learn? Knowledge How to assess data and evidence critically from manuscripts and digital sources, solve problems of conflicting sources and conflicting interpretations, locate materials, use research sources (particularly research library catalogues) and other relevant traditional sources. Systematic understanding of Arabic material from the Qur'an and Hadith as well as representative texts in theology, Islamic philosophy, law and 2

3 mysticism. Ability to identify and explain stylistic features of the Qur'an and Hadith and understand the methodologies used for their authentication, interpretation and translation into English. Ability to understand technical terms and to place passages in their historical and intellectual context. Ability to understand current issues in Islamic thought and movements, relating them to their historical origins and contemporary world situations. Intellectual (thinking) skills Students will learn to become precise and cautious in their assessment of evidence, and to understand through practice what documents can and cannot tell us. Students will learn to question interpretations, however authoritative, and reassess evidence for themselves. Students will acquire an ability to represent with intelligence, fairness and integrity views different from their own, show the basis on which they stand and discuss them. Students will learn to demonstrate sophisticated understanding of religious issues and intellectual flexibility, using various methods of study, such as the linguistic, historical, hermeneutic and social sciences Subject-based practical skills Communicate effectively in writing Retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources. Present seminar papers. Listen and discuss ideas introduced during seminars. Transferable skills Write good essays and dissertations. Structure and communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing. Understand unconventional ideas. Study a variety of written and digital materials, in libraries and research institutes of a kind they will not have used as undergraduates. Present (non assessed) material orally. Be able to manage time. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GAINING AN AWARD Structure, duration and requirements for gaining an award SOAS has standard requirements relating to the structure and duration of taught postgraduate programmes and for the award and classification of these programmes. Details can be found at 3

4 Programme structure diagram Students take one Major course and one Minor course from List A; they take one further Minor course from the List B. Students taking the course part-time over 2 years tend to take 2 units in their first year and the remaining unit and the dissertation in their second year. Students taking the course part-time over 3 years tend to take one course unit per year. Below is a structure diagram for this programme. Level Year Course code Course title Credit Status Notes of study 7 n/a 15PNMC999 Dissertation in the 45 Compulsory Languages and Cultures of the Near and Middle East 7 n/a 15PNMC006 Qur'an and Hadith 45 List A course Studies 7 n/a 15PNMC142 Qur'an: Language, 45 List A course Style and Translation into English 7 n/a 15PNMC037 Islamic Legal Texts 45 List A course in Arabic 7 n/a 15PNMC144 Islamic Texts 45 List A course 7 n/a 15PNMC145 Translation of 45 List A course Islamic Texts (a project) 7 n/a 15PNMC036 Sufism 45 List A course 7 n/a 15PNMC388 Medieval Arabic 45 List A course Thought: the Philosophical and Theological Traditions 7 n/a 15PNMC228 Modern Trends in 45 List B course Islam 7 n/a 15PLAC121 Islamic law 45 List B course 7 n/a 15PHIC040 Origins and 45 List B course Development of Islam in the Middle East: Problems and Perspectives 7 n/a 15PHIC042 Islam in South Asia 45 List B course 7 n/a 15PARC001 Studies in Early 45 List B course Islamic Art and Archaeology 7 n/a 15PARC011 Ottoman Art 45 List B course 7 n/a 15PARH035 Art and Architecture 22.5 List B course term 1 of the Fatimids 7 n/a 15PARH034 Islam and the West: 22.5 List B course term 1 Artistic and Cultural Contacts 7 n/a 15PARH032 Art, Archaeology and 22.5 List B course term 1 Architecture of the Arabian Peninsula 7 n/a 15PMUC033 Music of the Near and Middle East and North Africa 45 List B course 4

5 The availability of optional/elective courses may vary in a given academic session due to factors such as staff absence and student numbers. For an up to date list of courses running in a given academic session please refer to the degree structures as listed on the SOAS website for the degree programmes taught by each Department. TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT What methods will be used to achieve the learning outcomes? Knowledge Acquisition of research and assessment skills through seminars and classes. Students are required to attend all classes, study extensively on their own and prepare non-assessed work regularly. Acquisition of knowledge and understanding of Islamic texts, technical terms and current issues through intensive study and discussion in class and in tutorials of texts covering all these disciplines. Students will be required to prepare texts and other material extensively on their own and be able to give oral presentations and seminars as well as essays. The students will be introduced to the main library resources on Islamic Studies, at SOAS. Assessment: Through unseen examinations, coursework and a dissertation. Intellectual (thinking) skills Acquisition of assessment skills is fostered in all courses offered in the Programme, in that all courses will introduce information that will need to be assessed critically and will demonstrate how conflicting interpretations arise from the same information. Acquisition of presentation skills through discussion of texts, in class, tutorials, seminars and essays, of material that shows various and conflicting views and discussing these calmly and objectively. Assessment: Through unseen examinations, coursework, and a dissertation. Subject-based practical skills Acquisition of writing skills through the writing of long essays and dissertations. Acquisition of research skills through extensive research in libraries. Acquisition of oral communication skills through regular seminar presentations. Acquisition of listening and discussion skills through seminar discussions. Acquisition of time management skills through the setting of clear deadlines for the submission of written work. Assessment: By unseen examination, dissertation, and coursework. Transferable skills Acquisition of essay writing skills through long essays, coursework and dissertation. Acquisition of effective and structured oral and written communication skills through seminar presentations, discussions and essays. Acquisition of understanding of unconventional ideas through discussions of 5

6 material with conflicting views. Acquisition of research skills through introduction to relevant library resources. Assessment: Through unseen examinations, dissertation and coursework. REFERENCE POINTS What has been the basis for the design of this programme? The following reference points were used in designing the programme: School s learning and teaching strategy QAA framework for higher education qualifications Staff research QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT SOAS has internal procedures to assure the quality of provision to be offered to students and to enhance the quality in the light of experience following delivery, taking into account the input of external experts and students. The procedures are set out in the School s Quality Assurance Handbook and can be viewed at SOAS is also subject to periodic external review from bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and relevant professional and statutory regulatory bodies. The procedures described in the Quality Assurance Handbook are in place to provide a high quality student experience for those choosing to study at SOAS, and student input and evaluation of their experiences is greatly valued. Students make an input to the ongoing development of their programmes, and the environment in which they operate, in a number of ways, including: formal student evaluation as part of the annual programme review; student representation on School committees at various levels (through the Students Union) where many relevant issues are discussed; FURTHER INFORMATION SOAS Vision and Strategy Statement; Postgraduate Handbook; Quality Assurance Handbook; UCAS website; QAA website; 6