Islamic Studies (Undergrad looking for advice)

[colormelovely]

Hey all!

 

Although this forum seems to be dominated by those interested in Christianity, I'm wondering if anyone can lend some advice on Islamic Studies. 

 

I'm a third year undergraduate student (religious studies major) at a small state university in Ohio, and I'm interested in pursuing a Masters in Islamic Studies. I plan to graduate with a GPA between 3.8 - 3.9, and I'll be starting Arabic this fall. I have 2 semesters of both Latin and Greek so far (I'm continuing Greek), and I also intend to take German and/or French sometime before I graduate in two years. Also, I'm presenting at an AAR conference this spring, and looking into study abroad programs in the Middle East.

 

So, what can I do to make myself competitive in this field? I understand that there is no magical component to get into a grad program, but since it's fiercely competitive and funding is often limited, I'm looking for any advice on how I can get an edge during my undergrad.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[sacklunch]

Hey all!

 

Although this forum seems to be dominated by those interested in Christianity, I'm wondering if anyone can lend some advice on Islamic Studies. 

 

I'm a third year undergraduate student (religious studies major) at a small state university in Ohio, and I'm interested in pursuing a Masters in Islamic Studies. I plan to graduate with a GPA between 3.8 - 3.9, and I'll be starting Arabic this fall. I have 2 semesters of both Latin and Greek so far (I'm continuing Greek), and I also intend to take German and/or French sometime before I graduate in two years. Also, I'm presenting at an AAR conference this spring, and looking into study abroad programs in the Middle East.

 

So, what can I do to make myself competitive in this field? I understand that there is no magical component to get into a grad program, but since it's fiercely competitive and funding is often limited, I'm looking for any advice on how I can get an edge during my undergrad.

 

Thanks!

 

It depends on your specific subfield, of course, but as many have told me in my field (ancient Judaism): languages, languages, and languages. You clearly have started early, which will serve you well in the future. You should have a pretty competitive application, I imagine (GPA great, ect). You might consider starting earlish to study for the GRE. With a good score I see no reason why you wouldn't be competitive for places likes HDS.

 

cheers

[MsBOOM]

I know this may sound like a very crude question, but are you Muslim? (There is definite reasoning behind this that does not involve discrimination, I swear!)

 

Arabic definitely helps - so does knowing other Middle Eastern/South Asain languages (such as Persian/Farsi, Urdu, etc). Does your school offer many classes on Islam? If so, take them!

 

With a GPA like that and your languages (and that fact that you're a RS undergrad), you are actually very competitive.

 

I'm concentrating in Islamic Studies at HDS (and hope to go on to it for a PhD), so please don't hesitate to message/PM me.

Edited February 25, 2013 by MsSarahBOOM

[colormelovely]

I know this may sound like a very crude question, but are you Muslim? (There is definite reasoning behind this that does not involve discrimination, I swear!)

 

Arabic definitely helps - so does knowing other Middle Eastern/South Asain languages (such as Persian/Farsi, Urdu, etc). Does your school offer many classes on Islam? If so, take them!

 

With a GPA like that and your languages (and that fact that you're a RS undergrad), you are actually very competitive.

 

I'm concentrating in Islamic Studies at HDS (and hope to go on to it for a PhD), so please don't hesitate to message/PM me.

 

Thanks for the info! I'm not a Muslim (Will that negatively affect my chances? ), but I've been taking classes on Islamic thought, mysticism, theology, etc. from a prominent Islamic scholar. However, since my school doesn't offer Persian, Farsi, Urdu, etc., I'm looking into study abroad programs to possibly learn one.

[sacklunch]

Thanks for the info! I'm not a Muslim (Will that negatively affect my chances? ), but I've been taking classes on Islamic thought, mysticism, theology, etc. from a prominent Islamic scholar. However, since my school doesn't offer Persian, Farsi, Urdu, etc., I'm looking into study abroad programs to possibly learn one.

 

It may help, honestly. HDS, I'm sure, receives more Muslim applicants than a lot of 'divinity' schools, but still the fact remains that there are far fewer folks applying in that area (esp. that are Muslim). I wouldn't even mention your faith in your app, unless of course it has a bearing on your prospective research. 

[MsBOOM]

Thanks for the info! I'm not a Muslim (Will that negatively affect my chances? ), but I've been taking classes on Islamic thought, mysticism, theology, etc. from a prominent Islamic scholar. However, since my school doesn't offer Persian, Farsi, Urdu, etc., I'm looking into study abroad programs to possibly learn one.

 

Oh, it totally doesn't HURT your chances, but it definitely DOES help - if you know what I mean, lol (I'll even go as far as to say that HDS LOVES Muslim students - regardless of what they want to concentrate in - and are always looking for more). Great job on the classes - and in all honesty, I wouldn't go out of my way to learn Persian/Farsi, Urdu, etc in a study abroad program unless you absolutely WANT to do it... knowing Arabic (and those other languages as well) should be enough. I know plenty of Islamic study concentrations that came in here with no languages under their belt (and usually ended up in Arabic classes) - and then you can definitely pick up another language while you're here (yes, they do have Persian, Urdu, etc etc etc... a wide variety!). I came here with Urdu under my belt, but that's because I'm Pakistani and it's the language spoken in my parents' home.

[MsBOOM]

It may help, honestly. HDS, I'm sure, receives more Muslim applicants than a lot of 'divinity' schools, but still the fact remains that there are far fewer folks applying in that area (esp. that are Muslim). I wouldn't even mention your faith in your app, unless of course it has a bearing on your prospective research. 

 

Yeah, Nick, you're right about the not enough Muslims applying in the area, but I think that there definitely are a lot of people applying for Islamic Studies nowadays (given everything that's happening in the world).

[sacklunch]

Yeah, Nick, you're right about the not enough Muslims applying in the area, but I think that there definitely are a lot of people applying for Islamic Studies nowadays (given everything that's happening in the world).

 

True enough. Though I think the number is still infinitely lower than the number of white Christians interested in studying some aspect of Judaism/Christianity. In short, Sarah is right on. Just let them assume you're Muslim and it likely will not hurt you (and may help)!

[DivSkool]

Hey all!

 

Although this forum seems to be dominated by those interested in Christianity, I'm wondering if anyone can lend some advice on Islamic Studies. 

 

I'm a third year undergraduate student (religious studies major) at a small state university in Ohio, and I'm interested in pursuing a Masters in Islamic Studies. I plan to graduate with a GPA between 3.8 - 3.9, and I'll be starting Arabic this fall. I have 2 semesters of both Latin and Greek so far (I'm continuing Greek), and I also intend to take German and/or French sometime before I graduate in two years. Also, I'm presenting at an AAR conference this spring, and looking into study abroad programs in the Middle East.

 

So, what can I do to make myself competitive in this field? I understand that there is no magical component to get into a grad program, but since it's fiercely competitive and funding is often limited, I'm looking for any advice on how I can get an edge during my undergrad.

 

Thanks!

 

Islamic Studies student here.  I can tell you a lot more specific things about my experience, just PM me.  As other posters have said, languages languages languages.  Start learning Arabic right now.  Most programs will want you to specify your Arabic background in your application, and having even a little will set you apart from the others.  It's a tough language - you simply cannot be learning Arabic from scratch and trying to do research in the language at the same time, so most programs are going to want to see applicants who are already at at least an intermediate level.  Don't bother with German or French now, you'll have plenty of time to tackle those later.  Work on your Arabic.  Having another Islamic/ate language like Persian, Urdu, Turkish, etc. will be necessary depending on your subfield.  I can give you lots of advice on summer/study abroad programs for all of these languages, like I said, just PM me.  

 

Being Muslim is an interesting balance in this field.  I think that it will largely depend on who you want to end up working with.  For some people, the "insider" perspective is a necessary factor in the study of religion.  Others think that it is in fact a huge hindrance to critical scholarship.  If you're going to be working as a theologian, then great, but if not, then you're at some point going to have to prove that being Muslim is not going to be an issue when it comes time to examine whatever aspects of Islamic thought, history, literature, politics etc. you're studying from an objective or critical perspective.    

[MsBOOM]

True enough. Though I think the number is still infinitely lower than the number of white Christians interested in studying some aspect of Judaism/Christianity. In short, Sarah is right on. Just let them assume you're Muslim and it likely will not hurt you (and may help)!

 

HAHA, I love how we always keep it real, Nick

[MsBOOM]

Islamic Studies student here.  I can tell you a lot more specific things about my experience, just PM me.  As other posters have said, languages languages languages.  Start learning Arabic right now.  Most programs will want you to specify your Arabic background in your application, and having even a little will set you apart from the others.  It's a tough language - you simply cannot be learning Arabic from scratch and trying to do research in the language at the same time, so most programs are going to want to see applicants who are already at at least an intermediate level.  Don't bother with German or French now, you'll have plenty of time to tackle those later.  Work on your Arabic.  Having another Islamic/ate language like Persian, Urdu, Turkish, etc. will be necessary depending on your subfield.  I can give you lots of advice on summer/study abroad programs for all of these languages, like I said, just PM me.  

 

Being Muslim is an interesting balance in this field.  I think that it will largely depend on who you want to end up working with.  For some people, the "insider" perspective is a necessary factor in the study of religion.  Others think that it is in fact a huge hindrance to critical scholarship.  If you're going to be working as a theologian, then great, but if not, then you're at some point going to have to prove that being Muslim is not going to be an issue when it comes time to examine whatever aspects of Islamic thought, history, literature, politics etc. you're studying from an objective or critical perspective.    

 

 

Well said! If you don't mind me asking, where are you doing your PhD?

[DivSkool]

Well said! If you don't mind me asking, where are you doing your PhD?

 

Chicago Div.  Just finishing up my MA now, I was an internal applicant accepted to PhD starting in the fall.  

[MsBOOM]

Chicago Div.  Just finishing up my MA now, I was an internal applicant accepted to PhD starting in the fall.  

 

Wonderful! I want to do a PhD in Islamic Studies after I'm done here at HDS, but I'm at a loss as to where I want to/where I CAN (given that I don't know where I'll be living until October 2014 )

[DivSkool]

Wonderful! I want to do a PhD in Islamic Studies after I'm done here at HDS, but I'm at a loss as to where I want to/where I CAN (given that I don't know where I'll be living until October 2014 )

 

Well, definitely apply to UChicago!  I can tell you more about the program if you PM me.