Description
Students in this field will specialize in the texts, traditions, and critical analysis of Islamic society and culture from the medieval (6th century) to the modern era. This field is devoted, but not limited, to the study of Islamic beliefs and practices within the cultural and historical context of the Middle East and South and Central Asia. Students interested in the study of Islam and ethics, or Islam in the US and North America (i.e. from a contemporary perspective) will find intersections with the Department’s track in Religion and Critical Thought; those interested in comparative study between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism will find intersections with the track in Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean; and those interested in South and Central Asia will have overlap with Asian Religious Traditions track. Applicants should have advance preparation in the relevant research languages. Students in this field may pursue their graduate work in conjunction with area studies programs (Middle East Studies, South Asian Studies, African Studies, etc.) and will make use of the resources provided by the Departments of History, Comparative Literature, Art History and Anthropology.
Admission
Successful applicants to the doctoral program in ISC ordinarily possess an M.A. or the equivalent in a related field of study. Prior language training is also an important factor taken into consideration in the admissions decision. At least two years of a core language such as Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, etc. is required; three or more years is highly recommended. Excellent command of English, both spoken and writtten, is also required.
Coursework
Courses should be selected each semester in consultation with the student’s primary advisor. In addition to the departmental course requirement in theory and method (RELS 2000), ISC students are expected to complete at least six graduate seminars or the equivalent. Students in this field may pursue their graduate work in conjunction with courses offered by the various area studies programs and may also make use of the resources provided by the Departments of History, Comparative Literature, and Anthropology, among others. Students are also encouraged to cross-register for other specialized courses at Harvard University, as appropriate.
Languages
In addition to a) two (usually) pre-modern research langugages, ISC students must attain reading competence in b) two modern research-related languages other than English (ordinarily French & German, but this may be adjusted according to field of study). Native speakers of one research language in category a) will be asked to demonstrate mastery of a second as well as in two modern research-related languages other than English.
Graduate students are urged to take intensive language courses in the summner whenever possible, so as to complete their requirements in a timely fashion. ISC students are also encouraged to refine their language skills abroad during summers or other limited periods during the course of their graduate studies. Enquiries about the possibility of financial assistant for language study should be made will in advance of the projected study program.
Pre-Modern Languages
Depending on the area of study, the ability to conduct research in Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Turkish or other pre-modern language (e.g. Syriac) should be attained as early as possible and students in ISC should be prepared to demonstrate competence in one of these languages by the end of the fourth semester, and in the second, no later than the end of the sixth semester by passing an exam administered by a faculty member.
Modern Languages
Ordinarily, and depending on area of study, reading knowledge of German and French needs to be attained as early as possible (other Modern languages, such as Persian, Turkish, Hindi, or Spanish may be options as well). Students in ISC should be prepared to prove competence in these languages no later than the end of the fourth semester by passing an exam administered by a faculty member or by receiving an honors grade in German 12 (“German for Reading”) or a similar course in French when offered.