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Master's Program in History and Societies of the Islamic World

Introduction

The Master's program in History and Societies of the Islamic World is a research-oriented program at the Department of History and Cultural Studies, Freie Universität Berlin. The program focuses on the history, politics, religions, cultures, knowledge formations, and normativities of Islamic societies from the beginnings of Islam to the present.

Admission Requirements

For admission to the master's program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• A first university degree (e.g., a bachelor's degree) comprising at least 180 credit points (ECTS).
• A minimum of 60 ECTS must have been earned in courses relevant to the study of history and societies of the Islamic world.
• Of these 60 ECTS, at least 40 ECTS must have been earned in courses that impart written Arabic language skills up to and including the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and oral Arabic language skills at the level B1 or an equivalent.
• At least 20 ECTS of the requirement must have been earned in courses focusing on other (i.e., not language skills-focused) topics relevant to the study of history and societies of the Islamic world.
• Applicants who have not completed a university degree at an institution where coursework was conducted mainly in English must demonstrate English language skills corresponding to the C1 level (CEFR).
• German language skills are not required.

Fees

Students do not pay any tuition fees; the university only charges semester fees and contributions each semester.

Program Contents

The program is a consecutive master's program taught entirely in English that requires a bachelor's degree in History and Cultures of the Middle East with a focus on Islamic Studies, or an equivalent degree in a closely related subject. The regional focus lies on West Asia and North Africa as well as on Europe, with special attention to global perspectives and interconnections.

Unique Features

Unique features of the program include the regional profile area "Islam in Europe" and a special emphasis on theory and methodology in the study of the Islamic world. Theoretical and methodological topics and approaches include:

• Gender dimensions in various contexts as well as constructions of difference and alterity
• Postcolonial perspectives
• Critique of racism
• Knowledge production and power
• The interaction of law, religion, and politics
• Systems of meaning-making
• Linguistic and social constructions of reality
• Power asymmetries and dependencies
• Conceptual history and semantic fields
• Religion and secularity
• Heritagization
• Popular and consumer culture
• Urban studies
• Insider and outsider perspectives among Muslims and non-Muslims

Structure

The Master's program is divided into three components:

• Core Component: The core component consists of the common mandatory curriculum and the elective mandatory curriculum.
  • The common mandatory curriculum contains modules such as:
    1. Islamic History I
    2. Islamic History II
    3. Culture, Knowledge, and Religion in Muslim Societies
    4. Theory and Methodology: What is Islam?
    5. Academic Skills and Tools
  • The elective mandatory curriculum allows students to choose between modules that focus either on Islam in Europe or on West Asia and North Africa.
• Trans- and Interdisciplinary Component: Students are encouraged to take courses in a language relevant to their field of study or complete an occupational internship.
• Master's Thesis: The master's thesis is intended to demonstrate that students are able to work independently on a question in the field of history and societies of the Islamic world.

Career Opportunities

Program graduates acquire advanced subject-specific as well as theoretical and methodological skills that prepare them for work in different professional fields, particularly within institutions and organizations that deal with Islam or Muslim communities or with aspects of interculturality.

Basic Information

• Admission: Unrestricted admission for the 1st semester; admission for higher semesters is also unrestricted.
• Program Start: Winter semester / Summer semester
• Language: English
• Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Duration: 4 semesters

Application

Applications are possible for the winter and summer semester. The majority of places are allocated according to the final grade. Despite the steadily increasing number of applications, all applicants who met the formal criteria have been accepted so far. Applications with non-German degrees are made via uni-assist.

Deadlines

• Winter semester: 15 April to 15 July
• Summer semester: 1 December to 15 January