MA Muslim Minorities in a Global Context (Online)

Students will study one core modules and a range of elective modules on offer each session. There are also four research mini modules:

• 1x core modules (30 credits each)
• 3x elective modules (30 credits each)
• 4x research mini modules
• 1x dissertation (60 credits)

Core modules

• Muslim Minorities in a Global Context
• Dissertation

Elective modules

• Contemporary India, State, Society and Politics
• Global Public Policy
• Global Citizenship and Advocacy
• International Security
• Introduction to Islam
• Islamic Law in a Global Context
• Muslim Minorities and the State: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
• Political Islam in South Asia
• Religions and Development
• Strategic Studies
• The Art of Negotiation

For more information on programme content, watch our webinar with Dr Sarah Stewart (Programme Convenor) and Dr Simon Perfect (Programme Tutor).

Muslim Minorities in a Global Context

This module gives students an insight into the diversity of Muslim minority communities at a time when political shifts in Muslim majority countries – such as Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran and across the MENA region – have put Muslim minorities into the spotlight and impacted upon their relationship with their host countries. The module traces the emergence and development of Muslim minorities in both Western and non-Western contexts, and examines how Muslims have forged new identities as they have negotiated their places within their host societies.

The objective of the module is to enable students to understand the interconnecting variables with respect to class, gender and regional location, as well as religious interpretation and practice, which have resulted in issues arising uniquely within different Muslim minority communities. They will consider the ways in which Muslim minorities impact national policies in non-Muslim states and engage with terms such as ‘integration’, ‘assimilation’, ‘multiculturalism’ and ‘islamophobia’ within different contexts. The course includes an historical overview of Muslim migrations, aspects of civil society, the interaction of Muslim laws and the state laws of various jurisdictions, and the role of the media in shaping Muslims’ relationship with their host environment.

Dissertation

The dissertation module is an opportunity for students to develop their interests in a particular area. It follows the delivered modules and may be based on a topic within the programme that students have enjoyed or drawn from a personal interest or experience. The dissertation is fully supported by the distance learning team and a suite of resources specifically designed for the module. 

The dissertation is divided into two sections; the pre-proposal stage, where students are provided with appropriate research skills, and the post-proposal stage, where students will be working with a full-time Academic member of staff. The module will provide students with the ability to plan and write a dissertation, after displaying evidence of independent research skills and critically reflection. The dissertation is designed to engage students in a sustained piece of individual, academic research on a chosen topic within the field of Muslim Minorities.

Contemporary India, State, Society and Politics

You will become conversant with a number of current themes which are shaping contemporary India and use a range of conceptual tools to evaluate the political shifts that have taken place in the electoral ascent of Hindu nationalism alongside emerging civil society movements. 

By engaging with contemporary literature and debate you will develop a deeper and broader understanding of how state, society and politics are evolving in contemporary India.

Global Public Policy

Gain an understanding of public policy making in a context of intensifying globalisation and transnational political contestation. You will undertake rigorous and critical analysis of policy and the complex processes by which it is formulated, adopted and implemented.

Global Diplomacy: Global Citizenship and Advocacy

Develop an understanding of how to influence policy at an international level and how to affect policy changes to meet the aims of non-governmental and international organisations. You will look at how to achieve change at a global level, networking across national boundaries and on global issues.

International Security

Focusing on developments since the end of the Cold War, you will be given the analytical tools to think critically and independently about the nature of contemporary international security. You will consider a range of contemporary security issues including terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Iraq War and the future of the Middle East, and the prospects for peace and security in the 21st century.

Introduction to Islam

The Introduction to Islam module is an introductory survey course, intended for those students with little or no previous knowledge of the subject matter. Central to the module is the notion of "interpretation” of the authoritative textual foundation of the Islamic worldview (the Qur'an and the Hadith) and the Islamic historical narrative. ‘Historical Preconditions’ exposes students to the historical context of the foundational period, ‘Authoritative Sources and Different Ways of Dealing with them’ introduces students to three different ways of approaching Qur'an and Hadith that have defined distinct fields of Islamic enquiry.

Islamic Law in a Global Context

This module enables students to make comparisons, through case law, between countries with Muslim minority communities and those in which the majority population are Muslim. It will allow students to examine critically what is meant by ‘Islamic’ as opposed to ‘Muslim law’, the process of law-making, authority and agency in Islam. The course looks at a variety of selected legal issues involving property disputes, marriage and divorce, Islamic criminal justice, Islamic finance, Islamic philanthropy and women's rights.

Muslim Minorities and the State: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

This module explores the development of government policies in non-Muslim countries towards Muslim minority communities, from the colonial era to the present day. It focuses on eight countries: Britain, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, and Singapore, using these as case studies to explore the issues raised in both western and non-western contexts. Upon completion of this module, students will have acquired the methodological expertise to apply themselves to the study of other Muslim minorities in different geographic locations living under different jurisdictions.

Political Islam in South Asia

You will gain an understanding of the ways in which Islamism circulates in contemporary South Asia in a range of different contexts across the region. The historical roots of political Islam in South Asia will be explored in relation to colonialism and the emergence of politicised religion while its contemporary legacy will be charted out in terms of recent regional and global developments.

Religions and Development

Religions continue to play a vital role in the societies of many developing countries, which has multiple implications for development efforts. This has been increasingly recognised by many development agencies who now seek to collaborate with religious actors. In development studies this has led to the emergence of a number of research projects and publications. 

This module explores this field from the angles of theory and practice. It provides a historical overview and insight into the most salient issues in religions and development, as well as applying these historical and systematic perspectives to concrete case studies from Africa and Asia.

Strategic Studies

The area of strategic studies is increasingly relevant in light of conflicts in the past decade in Ukraine, Georgia, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan. You will address a range of strategic influences such as power and force, asymmetric/irregular warfare, and the role of security providers such as NATO. 

The relationship between strategy and policy will be explored through a series of case studies including US involvement in Vietnam and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Art of Negotiation

You will learn about the key concepts of diplomacy and the institutional development of diplomatic relations. You will also be introduced to the strategy and tactics of negotiation and its place in international relations between states.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously delivered as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.