Topics in Arabic & Islamic Studies (ISLM40001)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Dr Rachel Woodlock: rachel.woodlock@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Dr Rachel Woodlock: rachel.woodlock@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Topics in Arabic & Islamic Studies offers students the ability to develop critical insights into the rich cultural, historical, and intellectual landscapes of the Arabic-speaking and Muslim worlds. Beyond addressing broad global issues, this subject equips students with the tools to analyse and understand questions and debates at the local level.
The subject will be delivered in one of two modes. For large cohorts it will take the form of a seminar-style subject, covering a major topic or a series of key topics of contemporary or special interest in Arabic and Islamic Studies. For small cohorts, the subject will be conducted as individual supervised research projects, looking at a question of interest as negotiated by the student and subject coordinator. Topics will vary each year, reflecting current events and the interests of the student cohort, and may include (but are not limited to) Islamic political thought; media representation of Islam; migration and diaspora communities; shariʿa in contemporary contexts; interfaith dialogue; Arabic and Islamic art, literature, and culture, gender in Islam, geopolitical conflicts, and more. Where appropriate, visiting scholars will contribute as guest lecturers, and, if there is sufficient student interest, some seminars may be conducted in Arabic. After taking this subject, students will have developed a critical awareness of key knowledge areas in Arabic and Islamic Studies, appropriate for students at the honours or graduate diploma level.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- Critically analyse key issues in Arabic and Islamic Studies, drawing on a diverse range of scholarly sources
- Exhibit a nuanced understanding of the religious, cultural, social, and political dynamics relevant to Arabic and Islamic Studies
- Integrate insights from various disciplines—such as history, political science, religious studies, and cultural studies—to address complex questions in Arabic and Islamic Studies.
Generic skills
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to progressively meet structured milestones throughout the semester, culminating in the successful completion of a well-researched and coherent essay
- Exhibit the capacity for self-directed learning, particularly in the context of engaging with complex scholarly debates
- (For Arabic speakers), demonstrate proficiency in engaging with Arabic-language academic resources
- Exhibit core academic competencies, including accurate referencing, critical use of scholarly sources, and adherence to academic writing standards
- Present research outcomes to a live audience.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the fourth-years honours program or Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) in Arabic, Islamic or Asian Studies.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Literature review
| Week 5 | 15% |
Draft submission
| Week 8 | 35% |
Research essay (consisting of the revised and completed literature review and draft)
| Week 12 | 40% |
Oral presentation
| During the examination period | 10% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance of all classes. | 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. 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: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Rachel Woodlock Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Fortnightly meetings with the coordinator. 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
- Semester 2
Coordinator Rachel Woodlock Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Fortnightly meetings with the coordinator. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Dr Rachel Woodlock: rachel.woodlock@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Time commitment totals 170 hours.
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: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) Course Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours) - 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
Last updated: 4 March 2025