CASIS

Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS KUALA LUMPUR

POSTGRADUATE

PROGRAMME

www.utm.my/casis

CASIS

Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation

An institute that seeks to inculcate authentic Islamic knowledge and profound understanding of other historic civilisations and the contemporary world

Professor Dr Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud, Director

The Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science, and Civilisation (CASIS) is a new centre of excellence at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and is linked to the Faculty of Islamic Civilisation (FTI). CASIS seeks to promote postgraduate scholarship and learning for the advancement of knowledge in the fields of study relating to Islam, Science, and Civilisation and their allied sciences under the ambit of the worldview of Islam in full cognisance of relevant developments in other civilisations, especially in the contemporary world. Among its main objectives is to train young scholars who are intellectually adept to delve into the intricacies of religious thought while simultaneously at home with (intellectual and) scientific ideas, technologies and socio-economic thought and institutions of today. These emerging scholars will have the requisite intellectual tools and competent knowledge to imbibe from the multi-disciplinary program to prepare themselves for future intellectual and civilisational challenges at home and the world at large. Aims and Objectives To establish a center of excellence for conducting cutting-edge researches on Islam, science and civilisation.

To provide expertise on the field of Islamic thought and civilisation. To produce competent scholars who can integrate religion with science and technology to develop a civilisation based on tawhidic worldview. To study, publish and generate meaningful works on contemporary Islamic thought and civilisation. To translate great works of Muslim scholars into various languages.

BY COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH 1. M.A. (Islamic Civilisation)

Programme Structure

For the confernment of M.A. degree, students are required to complete 30 units of coursework, a thesis which is equivalent to 12 units, and language requirements (Arabic and English). 2. Ph.D. (Islamic Civilisation)

For the confernment of Ph.D. degree, students are required to complete 30 units of coursework, a dissertation which is equivalent to 60 units, and language requirements (Arabic and English). BY RESEARCH ONLY With the recommendation from the Centres Academic Committee and the Facultys endorsement students may chose to pursue the programme by research only.

ASSESSMENT Students are assessed through project papers, individual and group assignments, participations and appropriate written examination coupled with other assessments determined by the lecturers.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS M.A. -A bachelors degree from UTM or other recognized universities or equivalent academic qualifications from overseas. Certain professional qualifications will also be considered. -An English Certificate of IELTS/TOEFL with band score of 6.0/550. Ph.D. -A Masters degree from UTM or other recognized universities or equivalent academic qualifications from overseas. Certain professional qualifications will also be considered. -An English Certificate of IELTS/TOEFL with band score of 6.0/550.
A manuscript on Kalam and theology by Nuruddin al-Raniri (1635). Source: National Library

SOME OF THE COURSES OFFERED

Worldview and Epistemic Frameworks A comparative analysis of all the major worldviews and their relationship with the conception, methodology and purpose of knowledge and knowing, and the culture of knowledge they generate. The worldviews and the knowledge culture of the Greeks, Judeo-Christians, secularhumanists, the Indians, Chinese, Japanese and especially the Muslims will be studied. An analysis of similarities and differences will be carried out to encourage deeper understanding, mutual cooperation, respect and tolerance. Decolonisation and Islamisation of Contemporary Knowledge Analysis on the phenomena that knowledge framework, methodologies and contents are organically linked to worldviews, values and sociopolitical and economic interests of dominant groups, states, cultures and civilisations. The Western colonisation of Asia, Latin and North America and Africa and its effects on the indigenous knowledge frameworks is explored. Issues of neo-colonialism, captive mind, colonisability mentality, decoloniality and especially Islamisation and integration of knowledge will be vigorously analysed. Islamic Philosophy of Science and Technology The relation between Islam and Science; the origins and development of Modern philosophy of science, from Mechanical Philosophy to Quantum physics; the separation of science from metaphysics; Methods of scientific enterprise from experimental method to modern empiricism, positivism and scientism. The idea of Islamisation of contemporary knowledge and Islamic science will also be discussed. Quran and Hadith: Principles, Methodology and Contemporary Challenges The science of the Holy Quran (Ulum al-Quran) including the concept of wahy, its transmission, collection and preservation; asbab al-nuzul, nasikh wa al-mansukh al-muhkam wa al-mutashabih; the schools of Tafsir; contemporary debates on the Quran and its exegesis. History of origins, development, transmission, dissemination and collection of Hadith literature; Hadith-Criticism; the reporters of Hadith (rijal al-hadith); contemporary debates on the science of Hadith.

History and Methodology of Islamic Science An introduction to the great works of early Muslim scientists, and technologists and their main pioneering contributions. A survey of the various sciences and methods developed and used by Muslim scientists, astronomers, geometricians, medical doctors towards the advancement of their respective fields, and their influences on the West. Islamic Art and Architecture A study of the growth, influences and development of a unique art that is informed, and guided by the precepts of the religion of Islam. Calligraphy, arabesque as they are applied in written artform, pottery, carpets. Architectural monuments and their history. Early phases of the growth from the Umayyad, Abbasid, Egyptian, Spanish, Persian, Mughal, Ottoman, through the growth and expansion of the Muslim powers saw a complementary development of architectural achievements. Muslim architecture in China and eastern lands. Shariah in Contemporary Muslim Societies Islamic legal system and its development in early Islam; the sources of the Shariah, the fiqh of alMaqasid (the objectives of the Shariah), the concept of thawabit (permanence) and mutaghayyirat (change). A vigorous analysis of the contemporary discourse of reconstruction and reform of Shariah and Islamic jurisprudence; the relation between Shariah and Tasawwuf; the emergence of contemporary movement, extremism and its responses. Islamic Economic Thought and Institutions An introduction to economic thought and institutions in Islamic civilisation, including the concepts of aliqtisad, tadbir, al-amwal, al-kasb, al-tijarah, riba, zakah, kharaj, hisbah, waqf and bayt al-mal, as well as a critical overview of Islamic banking system and finance. Islamic Political Thought and Institutions The political thought and institutions in Islam, particularly the Islamic state of Madinah; the concepts of khilafah, siyadah, hakimiyyah. The concept of al-ikhtiyar, aqd al-wakalah, bayah, ahl al-hall wa al-aqd; Islamic political principles including justice, mutual consultation (shura), equality before the law (musawah), accountability (muhasabat al-hakim); constitutional government in Islam and contemporary debate on Islam and democracy.

Islam and Religious Pluralism An analysis on the concepts of religious pluralism, religious diversity and tolerance. An overview of the concept of Tawhid; Abrahamic faith, al-din al-hanif; Transcendent Unity of Religions and its relation with Perennial philosophy. Major Muslim Scientists A study of enduring legacy of selected Muslim Scientists, such as al-Khawarizmi (d. 850), al-Zahrawi (1013), Ibn Sina (1037), Ibn al-Haytham (1040), al-Biruni (1048), al-Tusi (1274), Ibn al-Shatir (1375) and others who were the precursors to modern methods in scientific and technological advancement in Modern West. A selection of texts will be studied in translation. Major Muslim Thinkers A study of major thinkers of Islam such as al-Ashari (d. 936), Ibn Sina (1037), al-Ghazali (1111), Ibn Rushd (1198), Ibn Taymiyyah (1328), Ibn Khaldun (1395), Mulla Sadra (1640) al-Fansuri (1600) al-Raniri (1658) and others. This course will concentrate on the basic essentials in the thought of these various thinkers. Islamic Law, Science and Technology The application of Islamic Law and ethical precepts (legal maxims of Islam) to the development and growth of scientific and technological application to everyday life. An examination of the concept of life, maintenance of health, and death in Islam. The use of and abuse of science and technology in the maintenance of health and personal well-being. The ban on astrology, the abuse of musakkirat, mukhaddirat. Islam in Malay Culture and History The coming of Islam to the Malay Archipelago; Bilad al-Jawi in Islamic sources; archeological, cultural and scientific artifacts; the new Jawi language and script. The rise of learning and scholarship; early works on tafsir, hadith, language, history, theology, tasawwuf and philosophy will be examined; the growth of centres of learning: pondok, zawiyah, pesantren; The Malay sultanates and Islam in contemporary Malaysia. Reading in Classical Text Reading and surveying selections of the great works in Islamic civilisation: on theology, legal thought, philosophy and Sufi literature, such as al-Muwatta, alRisalah, al-Fiqh al-Akbar, al-Kharaj, Tahafut al-Falasifah etc. The work of prominent Muslim theologians such as Aqaid al-Nasafi by Umar al-Nasafi (d.537 H) and Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah by Abu Jafar al-Tahawi (321H).

Readings in Contemporary Texts Selected works by contemporary Muslim thinkers such as, Muhammad Iqbal, Fazlur Rahman, Ismail al-Faruqi, S.M.N. al-Attas, al-Jabiri, al-Qaradawi, alButi, Seyyed Hossein Nasr etc. on issues pertaining to Islamic thought and contemporary challenges will be studied critically. Islam and Urban Development Surveying the city in Islam; the establishment of Madinah as City of the Prophet. Makkah as city of spirituality; the growth of Muslim cities: Damascus, Jerusalem, Baghdad, Qaherah, Istanbul, Isfahan, Toledo, Granada, Melaka, Acheh and other major cities in the Muslim World will be studied; Urbanism in early Greek and Roman cities compared to early Muslim cities; contemporary urban development and medieval cities will be examined. Religion, Human Development and Culture The genesis of mythological belief-based religions. Revealed versus non-revealed religions or religious traditions. Ethical values and its relation to happiness. The development of human communities into societies from ethnic based to religion based identities. The advancement of human culture, values with the unfolding of revelation-based religion. The rise of the secular worldviews. PROGRAMME FEES (RM)* Masters Full Time Local 2800 X 4 Semesters 11,200 International 3000 X 4 Semesters 12,000

Masters students are expected to complete their programme in 4 semesters. Extension is allowed with additional fee per semester. Ph.D. Full Time Local 2800 X 8 Semesters 22,400 International 3000 X 8 Semesters 24,000

Ph.D. students are expected to complete their programme in 8 semesters. Extension is allowed with additional fee per semester. *Fees are subjected to change without prior notice.

For more information, please contact: THE PROGRAMME COORDINATOR Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation (CASIS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia International Campus, Level 18, Yayasan Selangor Building, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA Tel: +603 2615 4163/6013 Fax: +603 2615 4164 E-mail: casis@ic.utm.my Website: www.utm.my/casis