Inter-university diploma "Islamology: principles, issues and applications in contemporary France"

This DIU "Islamologie: principes, enjeux et applications dans la France contemporaine" is operated by Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA) and the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco), in agreement with the Institut Français d'Islamologie (IFI). It brings together the latest advances in research in the fields of Islamic history, Islamology in the broadest sense (philology, epigraphy, codicology, literary and critical study of texts, etc.), and the social sciences of religion.

Multi-century religion practiced on every continent, Islam comprises a plurality of legal schools and is imbued with a rich and complex philosophy. Its thought has produced jewels of humanity's intellectual heritage. This wealth has been passed down to the present day, and continues to make its contribution to the world's intellectual and scholarly output.

Faced with a shortage of short courses accessible to all, students and professionals alike, the Institut Français d'Islamologie has decided to promote the creation of two short university courses, which aim to provide the foundations for a general knowledge of Islam, attentive to its fundamental texts, as well as its denominational and legal diversity or the wealth of its intellectual heritage. The contemporary dimensions of this religion's place in modern society complete this training, so much so that Islam is a living, dynamic religion embedded in modernity.

This training brings students into contact with the latest advances in research in the field of Islamic history, Islamology in the broadest sense (philology, epigraphy, codicology, literary and critical study of texts etc.), as well as the social sciences of the religious.

This training course is designed for persons wishing to acquire general knowledge of Islam such as: religious leaders, members of religious or cultural associations, chaplains, government officials, elected representatives, teachers, journalists, private sector employees or executives wishing to gain academic knowledge of the Muslim religious fact, students wishing to acquire basic skills in Islamology,.

Pre-requisites: The course requires a level IV diploma or qualification (DAEU, International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, professional qualification, etc.). For applications below level IV, it is up to the establishment's pedagogical commission to rule on the admissibility of the application.

Scholarships issued by IFI

The training is aimed both at people who already have knowledge of the Muslim religious fact (e.g. theological, cultic or cultural knowledge, who would like to reinforce it with a methodical and scientific approach, and people already familiar with disciplinary approaches to religions (history, anthropology, sociology, law, etc.) who would like to enrich their knowledge of the Muslim religious fact.

They providemethodological and epistemological instruments contributing to the professionalization of religious executives and chaplains of the Muslim faith in the French context.

They offer thebasic knowledge of Islam, for state agents on the critical analysis of fundamental texts or administrations, secular referents, teachers and specialized educators. The Inter-University Diploma aims to enrich skills in Islamology through a scientific and methodological approach. Emphasis will be placed on the critical analysis of fundamental texts, a sound knowledge of the diversity of denominational approaches and religious institutions, and the discovery of the wealth of artistic and cultural production in Islam, in a diachronic and transdisciplinary approach. This training opens up the possibility of further study in a bachelor's degree program, or further study in specialized DUs.

BCC 1: METHODOLOGY OF THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF RELIGIOUS FACT | 8H

BCC 2: METHODOLOGY OF THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF RELIGIOUS FACT | 8H

BCC3: CULTURAL AND CULTURAL PRACTICES | 16H

(1) Forms of piety and devotion (8h)

(2) Manuscripts and graphic arts (8h)

BCC 4: PRACTICES OF LIVING AND BELIEVING TOGETHER | 20H

(1) Individuals and communities in Islam: multidisciplinary approaches (10h)

(2) PRACTICES AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE INTERRELIGIOUS (10H)

• Methodology of the interreligious (4h)
• Knowledge of the interreligious (6h)

BCC 5: ANALYSIS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL TEXTS OF ISLAM | 54 H

(1) Texts of Islamic thought and spirituality (18h)

(2) Qur'an, Muslim law and society (18h)

(3) PLURALITY OF TRADITIONS IN ISLAM (18H)

• Themes of the intellectual tradition (philosophy and theology) (7h)
• Internal debates in Sunnism (7h)
• Principles and currents of Shi'ism (4h)

BCC 6: ELEMENTARY SKILLS ON ISLAM IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY | 54 H

(1) ISLAM IN A LAIC CONTEXT : CONTEMPORARY CONFIGURATIONS (18H)

• Law and management of secularism in France (10h)
• Plurality of models of secularism in the world: between secularization and secularity (8h)

(2) ISLAM FROM AND IN FRANCE (18H)

• History of the Muslim presence in France (10h)
• Evolving relations between Islam and the Republic (8h)
• Plurality in contemporary Islam (18h)