Professional Education at the Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations

Professional Education at AKU-ISMC seek to promote a sound understanding of Muslim cultures through an intellectually stimulating and inspiring survey of the histories and cultures of Muslims using the tools of social sciences and humanities.

This educational philosophy recognises that Muslim histories and cultures are an integral part of human history. While rooted in a message accepted as sacred or divine by Muslims generally, the actual unfolding of the history of Muslims happened in human contexts and can thus be approached through the methods of the humanities and social sciences.

The courses use a critical-historical perspective, in line with the civilisational study of Islam. Through this approach, it is recognised that religious traditions, like all other cultural expressions, are born and continue to develop and evolve. In respect to religion in particular, it leads to the recognition of links between religious teachings and specific historical conditions and to the resulting multiplicity of interpretations and worldviews.

Short courses at AKU-ISMC are an ongoing endeavor that will expand in scope over time. In particular, it is hoped that the range of focused courses will be further developed in the future.

Courses Offered

Two types of courses are offered at AKU-ISMC:

• Exploring Muslim Cultures (Survey Course)
  • Level I (14 hours)
  • Level II (12 hours)
• Focused Courses exploring particular topics in relative depth (12 hours)
  • Law in Muslim contexts
  • Muslim urban traditions and aesthetic expression

Courses will be taught either on weekday evenings or as intensive weekend sessions. To view which courses will be taught when, please see the course schedule.

Course dates for all courses will be announced in early 2009. Please continue to check our website for details, or contact us on ismc.shortcourses@aku.edu.

Course Fees

• Standard price: £250
• Students: £150

The programme fees include all courses and materials, excluding books.