The Islamic College
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (December 2008) |
51°32′46″N 0°13′50″W / 51.546°N 0.23056°W
Motto in English | Higher Education in an Islamic Environment |
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Established | 1998 |
Principal | Isa Jahangir |
Location | , |
Website | http://www.islamic-college.ac.uk/ |
The Islamic College is a London-based academic institution specialising in Islamic Studies at both the graduate and the undergraduate levels. Its degree programmes (BA, MA & Professional Doctorate, or D Prof) are validated by Middlesex University.
Introduction
The Islamic College represents the fusion of the classical with the modern. The College's mission is to promote a new approach to the study of Islam and Muslims by providing an 'insider's perspective' on Islam and fostering a non-sectarian outlook. It is the only institute of higher Islamic learning in the UK whose degrees are validated by a well-known external university, Middlesex University. The Islamic College offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and publishes academic texts in Islamic studies as well as a quarterly academic journal.[1]
History
The Islamic College Time Line | |
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1997 | Hawza Imam al-Husayn (as) is established. |
1998 | The college was founded as Islamic College for Advanced Studies (ICAS). |
1999 | Publication department (ICAS Press) established, begins publishing translations of important Islamic texts. |
2001 | Traditional subjects offered as part of a Hawza syllabus. Department of Distance Education established. |
2002 | College begins partnership with Middlesex University to offer a validated BA Islamic Studies programme.The College is accredited with the British Accreditation Council (BAC). |
2007 | New Level of co-operation begins between the College and Middlesex University with the introduction of MA Islamic Studies.* |
College offers certificate courses in Islamic Banking and Qur'anic Arabic. | |
Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies (JSIS) launched to promote the study of Shi'a Islam as a unique discipline. | |
Research Department was established to promote research projects and produce scholarly titles on Islam | |
2008 | To reflect its growing course provision and its emergence as the centre for the study of Islam, ICAS was renamed simply "The Islamic College". |
MA Comparative Philosophy: Islam and the West launched.* | |
MA Islamic Studies (Distance Education) launched.* | |
Islam and Human Rights added to the College's certificate course provision. | |
The College joins the UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service (UKPASS) | |
Construction begins on the new campus building. | |
2009 | BA Muslim Cultures and Civilisations launched.* |
MA Comparative Philosophy: Islam and the West (Distance Education) launched.* | |
Student finance is approved | |
2012 | BA (Hons) Hawza Studies* is launched. |
Foundation Year in Qur’anic Arabic* is launched. | |
MA Islamic Law* is launched. | |
Doctorate in Professional Studies* is launched. | |
BA (Hons) Islamic Studies* is revalidated. | |
MA Islamic Studies* is revalidated. | |
The College becomes a member of the UK Council of Graduate Education (UKCGE). | |
2014 | The College’s new campus building opens. |
The College is reviewed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). | |
The College retains its accreditation with BAC. |
* Accredited by Middlesex University
Publications
The Islamic College houses ICAS Press. ICAS Press has published a number of classical and modern Islamic texts and translations, particularly in the areas of Qur'an and hadith studies, theology, philosophy, mysticism, politics, and history.[2] ICAS Press also produces the Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies (JSIS), a quarterly publication containing academic articles and book reviews of relevance to the study of Shi'ism, which is the world's first international peer-reviewed journal on Shi'a studies to be listed by major academic indices.[3]
Undergraduate
There are currently two undergraduate programmes offered, BA Islamic Studies and BA Hawza Studies. The former aims to introduce students to the salient features of Islam as a system of belief and intellectual tradition from its inception until the modern era; covering essential subjects such as Islamic law, history, philosophy and the Arabic language. The second aims to provide a broader perspective on Islam as a civilisation and this is reflected in its course content. The latter focuses on religious studies, as would be found in a hawzah or traditional seminary.
Postgraduate
The Islamic College offers MA degrees in Islamic Studies, Islamic Law, and Islam and the West (formerly Comparative Philosophy) are validated by Middlesex University. These are offered both in-house and via distance education. The Islamic College also offers a DProf programme as a joint Programme with Middlesex University.
Certificate courses
In addition to degree programmes, the Islamic College also offers a number of certificate courses such as Qur'anic Arabic, Persian, Islamic Banking, Islam and Human rights and Islamic Philosophy.