Aarhus University's new MA program in Arab and Islamic Studies 

Started in September 2010. Focuses on the modern Arab and wider Islamic world, including Arab and Muslim minorities in the West. There is a special emphasis on globalization and transnationalism. Is taught by a team of seven senior scholars and two language specialists belonging to the Arab and Islamic Studies Unit. The senior scholars have individual research specializations in Modernity, globalization and transnationalism Sufism and new religious movements Terrorism and religion in politics Islam and Muslims in the Arab world, in other parts of the Islamic world, and in the West.  Is part of a wider research environment including both senior scholars and Ph.D. students in what is now Europe's largest department for the study of religion. Aims at developing knowledge and understanding on the one hand, and research capabilities, including linguistic abilities, on the other hand. Is suitable for students intending to work in both academic and non-academic environments.

The sun seen through a sandstorm at Abu Simbel, Egypt. Photo by Juan Carlos Martín, June 2008.

 Languages 

• Knowledge of Arabic or is required for admission to the program.
• Knowledge of Danish is not required for admission to the program. While classes may be taught in Danish if only Danish students have registered for them, all classes for which international students have registered will be taught in English.
• The MA thesis must normally be written in English, Danish, or another Scandinavian language. However, with the prior agreement of the supervisor, a dispensation may be requested for the thesis to be written in an alternative internationally used language such as German or French.

 Program structure 

• The program lasts two years (120 ECTS), with the last semester being used to write the thesis, for which some preparation may optionally be done during the penultimate semester of the program.
• The program contains
  • Two compulsory Arabic language courses aimed at increasing reading fluency in preparation for the use of Arabic-language sources (textual or oral) during the thesis.
  • Three compulsory seminars, on Theory and methodology, on Globalized and Transnational Islam, and on Islam and Muslims in the West.
  • Two to four "special topics" seminars.
    • Students who do not wish to take four "special topics" seminars may instead take a class on Specialist communication skills, and/or do an Elective project in preparation for their thesis.
    • At least two "special topics" seminars will be taught by members of the Arab and Islamic Studies Unit within the Department of the Study of Religion. Other seminars will be taught by members of the Unit within the Department of Political Science and the Department of Anthropology. Students may also take certain seminars taught at the Centre for Contemporary Middle East Studies at the University of Southern Denmark, which is 1½ hours by train from Aarhus. Seminars taken outside the Department of the Study of Religion must be pre-approved for transfer to a student's main program.
    • For a list of past, present and future seminars, see here.
  • A thesis. No non-thesis version of the program is available.
• Flexibility is provided by modified versions of the main program aimed at
  • Students who wish to spend one semester doing an internship. 
  • Students with less advanced Arabic skills.
  • Students doing a sidefag, a special program for future teachers in the Danish gymnasium. This option will not normally be of interest to international students.

Admission 

• Students should have completed a BA degree (180 ECTS) with a major in Arab and Islamic Studies, i.e. substantial prior study of the Arabic language, of Islam, and of the history and society of the Arab and/or Islamic world.
• An alternative version of the program is available for students with a minor in Arab and Islamic Studies, so long as that minor has included at least some study of the Arabic language. 

Fees

In general,

• Under Danish government regulations, no fees are charged for citizens of the European Union or the European Economic Area.
• Fees for citizens of other countries are shown here. Although no Danish scholarships are available for such students, funding may be available in the students' home countries. 

Further information 

• For further information, contact the student counselor, stv-ar@teo.au.dk. 

See also 

• Study regulations
• How to apply
• Other information for international students.