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Understanding Islam and Muslim Societies (ISLM10003)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Today, around a quarter of the world's population is Muslim. What is Islam, and how does it shape our world: historically, culturally, economically, and politically? What binds nearly 2 billion Muslims together: how are Muslims ‘Muslim’, but differently? This subject introduces students to the religion of Islam, exploring its major beliefs, sacred texts, and diverse cultural manifestations across the world. The subject focuses on the diversity that exists within Islamic thought and practice among Muslims globally. Each week covers a key topic relevant to understanding Islam today, such as the emergence of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, the Qur’an, shariʿa and law, Sunni and Shiʿa branches, Sufis and spirituality, money and Islamic banking, gender and women’s rights, jihad and violence, Islam’s relationship with other faiths as well as Islam as an Australian religion. Students will develop an understanding of the heterogeneity among Muslims and how Islam’s foundational texts influence diverse interpretations and lived experiences. The subject aims to equip students with the ability to research issues related to Islam and society critically and communicate arguments substantiated by evidence. By the end of the subject, students should be able to demonstrate key knowledge about Islamic thought and Muslim societies, appreciate Islam's historical role, and recognise the richness of Islamic traditions worldwide. Overall, the subject provides insights into the world's second-largest religion and its significance in our culturally diverse, globalised world.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the beliefs, practices, traditions, and schools of thought in Islam
- Articulate an understanding of the role that Islam has played historically
- Integrate a nuanced understanding of the diversity that exists among Muslims around the world in their thinking and practices
- Analyse how Islam's foundational texts influence diverse forms of Muslim thinking and practice today.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Apply the critical thinking skills of questioning, analysis, evaluation, reflection, and synthesis of ideas and concepts
- Accurately recall acquired knowledge
- Employ academic conventions in citing and referencing
- Apply a number of research methodologies adequately to produce independently scholarly arguments in oral and written communication skills.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
ISLM10001 Understanding Islam and Muslim Societies
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Assessment
Semester 1
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Critical review of a reading with a Q&A presentation
| From Week 2 to Week 11 | 15% |
Ten Canvas quizzes
| From Week 2 to Week 11 | 10% |
Canvas quiz class test
| Week 12 | 30% |
Multi-modal inquiry project (in-class scaffolded writing assignments from Week 7 onwards)
| During the examination period | 45% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. (Some assessment tasks may be treated differently and these will be highlighted by the Subject Coordinator in the LMS). All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Rachel Woodlock Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A total of 30 hours: A 1.5 hours lecture and 1-hour tutorial per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Dr Rachel Woodlock: rachel.woodlock@unimelb.edu.au
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Islamic Studies - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 14 March 2025