The onset of modernity shook the Muslim world reigniting debates and sparking renewed commitments and conceptualizations on the meaning and essence of an Islamic worldview. This course provides a foundation for understanding the Islamic worldview in comparison to other competing ideologies, such as liberalism, secularism and human rights. It examines some of the contemporary challenges, obstacles and opportunities for the Islamic worldview in the context of terrorism, globalization and universalism. Furthermore, it explores the real and perceived contestations between the modern and the Islamic worldview and the tangible impact this has on global affairs.

This course provides training in research methods from the perspective of the social sciences and Islamic studies. It aims to equip students with an understanding of the foundations of social scientific research. Students will be introduced to a range of core research skills that are necessary to undertaking research and designing research projects in various settings.

This course introduces the fundamental theories and concepts in understanding the nexus of Islam and global affairs. The course presents fun framework for understanding, practicing, and evaluating development, peacebuilding, human rights, governance and institutional reform, sustainability, global health, and related areas. It will begin by examining both the Western and Islamic theories and conceptual frameworks and provide a cross-disciplinary examination of issues central to global affairs, with a particular grounding in theories of international relations.

The course examines various manifestations of global inequalities such as poverty, access to employment, basic human services, etc. The course sheds light on the state of Muslim economies and their performance in meeting United Nation Sustainable Development Goals and other globally accepted indicators of development. Furthermore, the course looks into the role of Islamic beliefs, values and ethics in addressing the challenges brought by global inequalities.

This course is introduces the students to the theories and practices of peace studies. It examines various theoretical and conceptual frameworks that shape the field and assesses their applicability within different contexts. The course also highlights critical issues that are directly related to the practices of peacebuilding and conflict transformation.

The course introduces students to the structures and actors of international Muslim organizational work against the background of the emergence of world polity structures since the early 20th century. It surveys the development of multilateral cooperation structures such as the United Nation and its affiliates and the range of Muslim organizational work ranging from international cooperation in different fields to educational and relief organizations.

This course addresses a wide spectrum of topics which may vary based on the time it is offered. Depending on the specific interests of the cohort, global trends and Integrative Lab Projects in partnership with global organizations affiliated with the IGA program, the course intends to equip students with pressing challenges, issues and areas that are of critical importance for Islam and Global Affairs.

This course examines the locus of faith based development as a form of protecting and promoting human security as a concept distinct from national security. Faith based development and the role religious organizations have been playing through transnational actors—from global elites to NGOs, intergovernmental organizations to supranational bodies—work together to promote human wellbeing fostered by faith based mechanisms, agenda and tools. The course emphasizes particular attention to integral human development and community building that promotes alternative forms of security in a transforming global order.

The course aims to provide students with an interdisciplinary introduction to the processes, events and policy debates shaping responses to war-related humanitarian crises, including emergency interventions in situations of ongoing-armed conflict, and post-conflict recovery in the Muslim world. It enables students to make independent, critical and constructive contributions to humanitarian policies and the implementation of humanitarian activities. The course will analyze humanitarian responses with a particular focus on the Muslim World offering insights into the complexity of local realities in afflicted regions.

Under the supervision of a faculty member, student is assigned to work in collaboration with a local or an international organization or a similar entity and conduct research that is useful for the thesis project undertaken.