CICW Graduate Student Institute
"Islam in the Contemporary World"
(July 14 - July 29, 2024)
We are now accepting applications for 2024!
"Islam in the Contemporary World"
(July 14 - July 29, 2024)
We are now accepting applications for 2024!
Center for Islam in the Contemporary World (CICW)
at Shenandoah University
Graduate Student Institute
“Islam in the Contemporary World”
July 14 – July 29, 2024
Venue: George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The CICW’s summer student program, “Islam in the Contemporary World,” is a graduate students’ institute whose objectives are: (1) to provide graduate students with foundational instructions in Islamic studies with a focus on contemporary issues, (2) to have discussions about the lived experiences of Muslim graduate students, especially as they pertain to issues of wellness, equity, and belonging, and (3) provide research mentorship. By combining academic and mentoring sessions, we aim to provide a rounded approach to Islam in the contemporary world.
Our pedagogy combines traditional Islamic learning with contemporary approaches and methods. We question the West-centric assumptions and epistemologies and bring Islamic epistemologies and approaches to pedagogy, learning, and thought into the conversation.
A distinctive feature of the GSI is the learning community, led and facilitated by Dr. Nisa Muhammad. These discussions will enhance the academic sessions and allow the students to take academic material and make it relevant to their lives.
At the end of the program, the students will present a research proposal they developed during the Graduate Student Institute on a topic of their choosing.
Contact: [email protected]
at Shenandoah University
Graduate Student Institute
“Islam in the Contemporary World”
July 14 – July 29, 2024
Venue: George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The CICW’s summer student program, “Islam in the Contemporary World,” is a graduate students’ institute whose objectives are: (1) to provide graduate students with foundational instructions in Islamic studies with a focus on contemporary issues, (2) to have discussions about the lived experiences of Muslim graduate students, especially as they pertain to issues of wellness, equity, and belonging, and (3) provide research mentorship. By combining academic and mentoring sessions, we aim to provide a rounded approach to Islam in the contemporary world.
Our pedagogy combines traditional Islamic learning with contemporary approaches and methods. We question the West-centric assumptions and epistemologies and bring Islamic epistemologies and approaches to pedagogy, learning, and thought into the conversation.
A distinctive feature of the GSI is the learning community, led and facilitated by Dr. Nisa Muhammad. These discussions will enhance the academic sessions and allow the students to take academic material and make it relevant to their lives.
At the end of the program, the students will present a research proposal they developed during the Graduate Student Institute on a topic of their choosing.
Contact: [email protected]
- Please complete all sections of the application: Education Information, CV, Essays, and Transcript
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled in a graduate school program of any faith background, majoring in any discipline, based in the United States and Canada. College/university graduates with a degree in hand who are not yet enrolled in a graduate school program may apply too.
Tuition
There is no tuition fee.
Accommodation
Students will be provided dorm accommodation at George Mason University at no cost. Rooms are shared, two students per room or apartment, depending on availability.
Transportation and Meals
CICW will award each admitted student $750 to help offset the cost of transportation and meals. We encourage students to find alternative modes of support for transportation and meals if needed.
Method of instruction
In-person, at George Mason University. Some sessions may be delivered via Zoom.
Attendance requirements
The successful applicants will be required to attend all sessions without exception. Please consider applying next year if you can’t commit to full attendance. Students are expected to arrive on July 14 and leave no earlier than 2 pm on July 29.
Graduation Certificates / Credit Hours
Students who complete all requirements of the program will be awarded graduation certificates. Those interested may be awarded up to 4 graduate credit hours through Shenandoah University. Paying credit hours tuition is the students’ responsibility.
Award
The best student in the program will receive an award, which may include sponsorship to attend a conference or an Umrah.
Email Contact
[email protected]
Graduate Student Institute Teaching Faculty
To learn more about each Instructor, please click on the individual's name below (in alphabetical order):
Dr. Aminah Al-Deen
Research Associate Professor, AbuSulayman Center, George Mason University
Dr. Zainab Alwani
Founding Director and Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD)
Dr. Ovamir Anjum
Chair of Islamic Studies Department at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Toledo
Dr. Rehenuma Asmi
CICW Executive Board Member and a Convener of the teacher training program
Dr. Jasser Auda
President, Maqasid Institute Global and Al-Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies at the International Peace College South Africa
Dr. Jonathan Brown
Alwaleed bin Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
Dr. Maria Dakake
American scholar of Islamic studies and associate professor of Religious Studies at George Mason University.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir
CICW Executive Board Member, Convener of teacher training program, and Professorial Lecturer in the School of Education at American University
Dr. Farah El-Sharif
Scholar of Islamic intellectual history at Stanford University
Dr. Yaqub Mirza
CICW President and CEO, Sterling Management Group
Dr. Younus Mirza
Director of the Barzinji Project at Shenandoah University, Visiting Researcher at Georgetown University
Dr. Nisa Muhammad
Assistant Dean for Religious Life at Howard University and Contributor at the Yaqeen Institute
Dr. Walaa Quisay
Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh and a scholar of Religious Studies
Dr. Ermin Sinanović
Executive Director at CICW and Scholar in Residence at Shenandoah University
To learn more about each Instructor, please click on the individual's name below (in alphabetical order):
Dr. Aminah Al-Deen
Research Associate Professor, AbuSulayman Center, George Mason University
Dr. Zainab Alwani
Founding Director and Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD)
Dr. Ovamir Anjum
Chair of Islamic Studies Department at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Toledo
Dr. Rehenuma Asmi
CICW Executive Board Member and a Convener of the teacher training program
Dr. Jasser Auda
President, Maqasid Institute Global and Al-Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies at the International Peace College South Africa
Dr. Jonathan Brown
Alwaleed bin Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
Dr. Maria Dakake
American scholar of Islamic studies and associate professor of Religious Studies at George Mason University.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir
CICW Executive Board Member, Convener of teacher training program, and Professorial Lecturer in the School of Education at American University
Dr. Farah El-Sharif
Scholar of Islamic intellectual history at Stanford University
Dr. Yaqub Mirza
CICW President and CEO, Sterling Management Group
Dr. Younus Mirza
Director of the Barzinji Project at Shenandoah University, Visiting Researcher at Georgetown University
Dr. Nisa Muhammad
Assistant Dean for Religious Life at Howard University and Contributor at the Yaqeen Institute
Dr. Walaa Quisay
Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh and a scholar of Religious Studies
Dr. Ermin Sinanović
Executive Director at CICW and Scholar in Residence at Shenandoah University
Topics
Topics include but are not limited to:
- The Qur’anic Worldview
- Islamic Exegetical Tradition
- Neo-traditionalism in the West
- History and Importance of the Sunnah
- Understanding the Qur’an
- Renewal and Reform in Islamic Thought
- The Prophet’s Legacy in the Modern World
- Islam in West Africa
- Ummatics: Thinking about the Muslim World
- The Prophet’s Sira (Life)
- Resistance and Sufism
- Islamic-Based Wealth Building
- Sociocultural Perspectives in Islamic Education
- Prophetic Pedagogy
- Islam in North America
- Islamic Antiracist Education
- Contemporary Islamic Thought
- The Qur’anic Model of Family
- Understanding Islamic Law