UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS

KUALA LUMPUR

Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and

Civilisation

www.utm.my/casis

CASIS

P O S T G R A D U A T E P R O G R A M M E

CASIS Centre for Advanced Studies

on Islam, Science and Civilisation

Professor Dr Wan Mohd Nor

Wan Daud, Director

An institute that seeks to inculcate authentic

Islamic knowledge and profound understanding

of other historic civilisations and the

contemporary world

The Centre for Advanced Studies

on Islam, Science, and Civilisation

(CASIS) is a new centre of excel-

lence at the Universiti Teknologi

Malaysia (UTM) and is linked to the

Faculty of Islamic Civilisation (FTI).

CASIS seeks to promote post-

graduate scholarship and learning

for the advancement of

knowledge in the fields of study

relating to Islam, Science, and

Civilisation and their allied sciences

under the ambit of the worldview

of Islam in full cognisance of

relevant developments in other

civilisations, especially in the contemporary world.

Among its main objectives is

to train young scholars who are

intellectually adept to delve into

the intricacies of religious thought

while simultaneously at home with

(intellectual and) scientific ideas,

technologies and socio-economic

thought and institutions of today.

These emerging scholars will have

the requisite intellectual tools and

competent knowledge to imbibe

from the multi-disciplinary program

to prepare themselves for future

intellectual and civilisational

challenges at home and the world at large.

Aims and Objectives

To establish a center of

excellence for conducting

cutting-edge researches on

Islam, science and civilisation.

To provide expertise on the

field of Islamic thought and

civilisation.

To produce competent

scholars who can integrate

religion with science and

technology to develop a

civilisation based on tawhidic

worldview.

To study, publish and

generate meaningful works

on contemporary Islamic

thought and civilisation.

To translate great works of

Muslim scholars into various

languages.

BY COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH

1. M.A. (Islamic Civilisation)

For the confernment of M.A. degree, students are

required to complete 30 units of coursework, a thesis

which is equivalent to 12 units, and language

requirements (Arabic and English).

2. Ph.D. (Islamic Civilisation)

For the confernment of Ph.D. degree, students are

required to complete 30 units of coursework, a

dissertation which is equivalent to 60 units, and language requirements (Arabic and English).

BY RESEARCH ONLY

With the recommendation from the Centre’s Academic

Committee and the Faculty’s endorsement students may chose to pursue the programme by research only.

ASSESSMENT

Students are assessed through project papers, individual

and group assignments, participations and appropriate

written examination coupled with other assessments determined by the lecturers.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

M.A.

-A bachelor’s degree from UTM or other recognized

universities or equivalent academic qualifications from

overseas. Certain professional qualifications will also be considered.

-An English Certificate of IELTS/TOEFL with band score of 6.0/550.

Ph.D.

-A Master’s degree from UTM or other recognized

universities or equivalent academic qualifications from

overseas. Certain professional qualifications will also be considered.

-An English Certificate of IELTS/TOEFL with band score of 6.0/550.

Programme

Structure

A manuscript on Kalam and theology by Nuruddin al-Raniri (1635). Source: National Library

Worldview and Epistemic Frameworks

A comparative analysis of all the major worldviews

and their relationship with the conception,

methodology and purpose of knowledge and

knowing, and the culture of knowledge they

generate. The worldviews and the knowledge

culture of the Greeks, Judeo-Christians, secular-

humanists, the Indians, Chinese, Japanese and

especially the Muslims will be studied. An analysis of

similarities and differences will be carried out to

encourage deeper understanding, mutual cooperation, respect and tolerance.

Decolonisation and Islamisation of Contemporary Knowledge

Analysis on the phenomena that knowledge

framework, methodologies and contents are

organically linked to worldviews, values and socio-

political and economic interests of dominant

groups, states, cultures and civilisations. The Western

colonisation of Asia, Latin and North America and

Africa and its effects on the indigenous knowledge

frameworks is explored. Issues of neo-colonialism,

captive mind, colonisability mentality, decoloniality

and especially Islamisation and integration of knowledge will be vigorously analysed.

Islamic Philosophy of Science and Technology

The relation between Islam and Science; the origins

and development of Modern philosophy of science,

from Mechanical Philosophy to Quantum physics;

the separation of science from metaphysics;

Methods of scientific enterprise from experimental

method to modern empiricism, positivism and

scientism. The idea of Islamisation of contemporary

knowledge and Islamic science will also be discussed.

Qur’an and Hadith: Principles, Methodology and Contemporary Challenges

The science of the Holy Qur’an (Ulum al-Qur’an)

including the concept of wahy, its transmission,

collection and preservation; asbab al-nuzul, nasikh

wa al-mansukh al-muhkam wa al-mutashabih; the

schools of Tafsir; contemporary debates on the

Qur’an and its exegesis. History of origins,

development, transmission, dissemination and

collection of Hadith literature; Hadith-Criticism; the

reporters of Hadith (rijal al-hadith); contemporary

debates on the science of Hadith.

History and Methodology of Islamic Science

An introduction to the great works of early Muslim

scientists, and technologists and their main

pioneering contributions. A survey of the various

sciences and methods developed and used by

Muslim scientists, astronomers, geometricians,

medical doctors towards the advancement of their respective fields, and their influences on the West.

Islamic Art and Architecture

A study of the growth, influences and development

of a unique art that is informed, and guided by the

precepts of the religion of Islam. Calligraphy,

arabesque as they are applied in written artform,

pottery, carpets. Architectural monuments and their

history. Early phases of the growth from the

Umayyad, Abbasid, Egyptian, Spanish, Persian,

Mughal, Ottoman, through the growth and

expansion of the Muslim powers saw a

complementary development of architectural

achievements. Muslim architecture in China and eastern lands.

Shari‘ah in Contemporary Muslim Societies

Islamic legal system and its development in early

Islam; the sources of the Shari’ah, the fiqh of al-

Maqasid (the objectives of the Shari’ah), the

concept of thawabit (permanence) and

mutaghayyirat (change). A vigorous analysis of the

contemporary discourse of reconstruction and

reform of Shari’ah and Islamic jurisprudence; the

relation between Shari’ah and Tasawwuf; the

emergence of contemporary movement, extremism and its responses.

Islamic Economic Thought and Institutions

An introduction to economic thought and institutions

in Islamic civilisation, including the concepts of al-

iqtisad, tadbir, al-amwal, al-kasb, al-tijarah, riba,

zakah, kharaj, hisbah, waqf and bayt al-mal, as well

as a critical overview of Islamic banking system and finance.

Islamic Political Thought and Institutions

The political thought and institutions in Islam,

particularly the Islamic state of Madinah; the

concepts of khilafah, siyadah, hakimiyyah. The

concept of al-ikhtiyar, ‘aqd al-wakalah, bay’ah, ahl

al-hall wa al-‘aqd; Islamic political principles

including justice, mutual consultation (shura),

equality before the law (musawah), accountability

(muhasabat al-hakim); constitutional government in

Islam and contemporary debate on Islam and democracy.

SOME OF THE COURSES OFFERED

PROGRAMME FEES (RM)*

Masters Full Time

Local International

2800 X 4 Semesters 3000 X 4 Semesters

11,200 12,000

Masters students are expected to complete their

programme in 4 semesters. Extension is allowed with additional fee per semester.

Ph.D. Full Time

Local International

2800 X 8 Semesters 3000 X 8 Semesters

22,400 24,000

Ph.D. students are expected to complete their

programme in 8 semesters. Extension is allowed with additional fee per semester.

*Fees are subjected to change without prior

notice.

Readings in Contemporary Texts

Selected works by contemporary Muslim thinkers

such as, Muhammad Iqbal, Fazlur Rahman, Ismail

al-Faruqi, S.M.N. al-Attas, al-Jabiri, al-Qaradawi, al-

Buti, Seyyed Hossein Nasr etc. on issues pertaining

to Islamic thought and contemporary challenges will be studied critically.

Islam and Urban Development

Surveying the city in Islam; the establishment of

Madinah as City of the Prophet. Makkah as city of

spirituality; the growth of Muslim cities: Damascus,

Jerusalem, Baghdad, Qaherah, Istanbul, Isfahan,

Toledo, Granada, Melaka, Acheh and other major

cities in the Muslim World will be studied; Urbanism

in early Greek and Roman cities compared to

early Muslim cities; contemporary urban

development and medieval cities will be examined.

Religion, Human Development and Culture

The genesis of mythological belief-based religions.

Revealed versus non-revealed religions or religious

traditions. Ethical values and its relation to

happiness. The development of human

communities into societies from ethnic based to

religion based identities. The advancement of

human culture, values with the unfolding of

revelation-based religion. The rise of the secular worldviews.

Islam and Religious Pluralism

An analysis on the concepts of religious pluralism,

religious diversity and tolerance. An overview of the

concept of Tawhid; Abrahamic faith, al-din al-hanif;

Transcendent Unity of Religions and its relation with Perennial philosophy.

Major Muslim Scientists

A study of enduring legacy of selected Muslim

Scientists, such as al-Khawarizmi (d. 850), al-Zahrawi

(1013), Ibn Sina (1037), Ibn al-Haytham (1040), al-Biruni

(1048), al-Tusi (1274), Ibn al-Shatir (1375) and others

who were the precursors to modern methods in

scientific and technological advancement in Modern West. A selection of texts will be studied in translation.

Major Muslim Thinkers

A study of major thinkers of Islam such as al-Ash’ari (d.

936), Ibn Sina (1037), al-Ghazali (1111), Ibn Rushd

(1198), Ibn Taymiyyah (1328), Ibn Khaldun (1395), Mulla

Sadra (1640) al-Fansuri (1600) al-Raniri (1658) and

others. This course will concentrate on the basic essentials in the thought of these various thinkers.

Islamic Law, Science and Technology

The application of Islamic Law and ethical precepts

(legal maxims of Islam) to the development and

growth of scientific and technological application to

everyday life. An examination of the concept of life,

maintenance of health, and death in Islam. The use of

and abuse of science and technology in the

maintenance of health and personal well-being. The

ban on astrology, the abuse of musakkirat, mukhaddirat.

Islam in Malay Culture and History

The coming of Islam to the Malay Archipelago; Bilad

al-Jawi in Islamic sources; archeological, cultural and

scientific artifacts; the new Jawi language and script.

The rise of learning and scholarship; early works on

tafsir, hadith, language, history, theology, tasawwuf

and philosophy will be examined; the growth of

centres of learning: pondok, zawiyah, pesantren; The Malay sultanates and Islam in contemporary Malaysia.

Reading in Classical Text

Reading and surveying selections of the great works in

Islamic civilisation: on theology, legal thought,

philosophy and Sufi literature, such as al-Muwatta’, al-

Risalah, al-Fiqh al-Akbar, al-Kharaj, Tahafut al-Falasifah

etc. The work of prominent Muslim theologians such as

Aqa’id al-Nasafi by Umar al-Nasafi (d.537 H) and Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah by Abu Ja’far al-Tahawi (321H).

For more information, please contact:

THE PROGRAMME COORDINATOR

Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation

(CASIS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia International Campus, Level 18,

Yayasan Selangor Building, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Tel: +603 2615 4163/6013 E-mail: casis@ic.utm.my

Fax: +603 2615 4164 Website: www.utm.my/casis