Muslim Cultures: Historical Diversity and Contemporary Realities
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What You Need to Know
Learn about the rich history and diversity of Muslim Cultures in London, a global multicultural city with people from all parts of the world. The Muslim Cultures program takes you on an exciting journey to explore the histories and cultures of Islamic societies past and present. London’s ethnically diverse Muslim communities and internationally renowned museums and academic centers provide a unique setting and learning opportunity. The program combines course work with guest lectures; visits to museums, mosques, and special exhibits; field projects; and study tours to Granada and Istanbul, historic sites of exquisite Islamic architecture.
Muslim Cultures Scholarships
Financial assistance totaling approximately $6,000 per student is available for all those admitted to the program. This includes a tuition grant that covers 3 of the 9 credits, and a program fee grant of $1,400 that covers billed expenses for the field study trips to Granada and Istanbul. This award is in addition to individual grants of $2,000 that are available to all students regardless of financial need.
The Muslim Cultures Summer program is offered as a complete seven-week package. Students enrolled in the program are required to take the following 9 credits:
- Three Courses (6 credits)
- ANT/REL/FIA/MES/SAS 400/600: Muslim Cultures and Civilization
Provides a broad overview of the religious foundations, historical development, and cultural diversity of Islam through a study of sacred texts, arts and architecture, and encounters with Muslim communities from various backgrounds. - ANT/REL/MES/WSP/SAS 400/600: Gender, Globalization, and Islamic Identities
Examines multiple and changing constructions of gender identities in Muslim cultures in historical and contemporary contexts. Emphasizes case studies from different regions to understand the impact of colonialism and globalization on Muslim women. - PSC/REL/MES/SAS 400/600: Media, Politics and Contemporary Muslims
Explores the power of media to shape public perceptions of Muslims using a variety of news media produced by Western and Islamic organizations. Compares the media’s role in the political context of Europe and the UK with the United States.
- ANT/REL/FIA/MES/SAS 400/600: Muslim Cultures and Civilization
- Education in Action (1 credit) CAS 470/670
Under the supervision of one of the faculty, students will do field project over the six-week stay in London. Putting their education into action, this project gives students the opportunity to work in partnership with select professional, cultural and community organizations to research a topic related to one of the three courses. - Fieldtrip Study Tours: Granada and Istanbul (2 credits) CAS 400/600
Students are required to go on two fieldtrip seminars. The first 3-day fieldtrip is in Granada Spain, where Muslim rulers built the magnificent palace complex, Alhambra, an exquisite example of Islamic architecture. The second 5-day fieldtrip is in Istanbul, Turkey, a flourishing multicultural and financial center in the Muslim world, and once the capital city of great empires including Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman.
Professor Tazim R. Kassam is director of the Muslim Cultures program. She specializes in the literature, arts, and intellectual traditions of Islam with emphasis on Indo-Islamic music and devotional poetry. She currently chairs the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. You can contact Professor Kassam at tkassam@syr.edu
Professor Gustav Niebuhr teaches courses on American religions and the media in the Department of Religion and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. A former religion correspondent of the New York Times and Washington Post, he currently directs the interdisciplinary Religion and Society program.
Professor Kathryn Spellman teaches at Huron University in London in the International Relations Department. She is a Research Associate at the London Middle East Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Her specialty is transmigration, religion and gender in contemporary Muslim societies.
Students will arrange and pay for their own round-trip transportation to London. Transportation for course-related excursion is arranged by SU Abroad and covered by the program fee.
Advantage Travel has arranged a group flight for students on this program. We encourage students to travel on the group flight, which includes ground transportation upon arrival. Please review and complete the attached group travel sign-up form to express an interest in being included on the group flight. No payment or commitment is required to complete this form. Summer flights book early, so request your seats now.
Please note that while we encourage students to pursue flight arrangements, we would not encourage you to purchase your airline tickets before confirming that the program and courses you plan to take will be offered in 2008. Please request written notification from us that you can book your flight. You will have to present this notification if we cancel the program at a later date, and you want to be reimbursed for the cost of the ticket.
Students are housed in shared rooms in furnished flats arranged by Syracuse University for the duration of the program. SU Abroad’s pre-arranged housing in located in the heart of the University district, the Bloomsbury neighborhood of London, and a short walk to our London Centre. Students will be required to pay a $400 security deposit. This security will be held to ensure against damage to the apartment. The deposit will be returned after the apartments are cleared and deemed undamaged by Acorn Management Group.
Students who choose to arrange and pay for their own housing must notify SU Abroad in writing by March 15, 2008. You can advise us of your housing intentions through an email to SU Abroad, suabroad@syr.edu. The program fee will be reduced for students who choose to live independently. These students should expect to pay about 160 British Pounds (about $305) per week for a shared apartment. They will also be responsible for their own hotel bookings and costs for the first few days of the program while they look for housing. They can contact the Royal National Hotel and pay the hotel directly for their accommodations.
| TBA | |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | TBA |
| Orientation: | TBA |
| 1st Course: 2 Credits (Kassam) Muslim Cultures and Civilization: | TBA |
| First Fieldtrip Study Tour Granada, Spain: | TBA |
| 2nd Course: 2 credits (Spellman) Gender, Globalization, and Islamic Identities: | TBA |
| Second Fieldtrip Study Tour Istanbul, Turkey: | TBA |
| 3rd Course: 2 credits (Neibuhr) Media, Politics and Contemporary Muslims: | TBA |
| Education in Action (1 credit) CAS 470/670: | TBA |
| Projects Due: | TBA |
| Departure: | TBA |
| UNDERGRADUATE (9 credits) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,136* ($7,704 total) |
| Program Fee | $3,650* ($5,050 total) |
| Total | $8,786 (Estimated) |
| GRADUATE (9 credits) | |
| Tuition | $6,408* ($9,612 total) |
| Program Fee | $3,650* ($5,050 total) |
| Total | $10,058 (Estimated) |
*Includes Chancellor's Scholarship subsidy. In addition, all students are eligible to receive a $2,000 tuition grant. Please inquire at SU Abroad.