Approaches to Islamic Studies in North American Universities

Call for Papers

Approaches to Islamic Studies in North American Universities

July 11-13, 2018

Herndon, Virginia

Background

In 2012, the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) published Observing the Observer: The State of Islamic Studies in American Universities. The book was generally well received by academics as well as the general public and continues to be useful. Many of the essays and findings in the book, however, are almost ten years old by now. During the last decade, the field of Islamic studies has changed and expanded in many ways.

This year’s Summer Institute for Scholars, titled “Approaches to Islamic Studies in North American Universities,” seeks to solicit scholarly contributions that would update our understanding of various sub-fields, methodologies, and topics along with identifying and offering novel approaches to teaching and studying Islam in North American colleges and universities.

The objectives of this year’s Summer Institute are:

1. Understanding significant developments in the field of Islamic studies since the publication of Observing the Observer
2. Identifying varied pedagogical approaches and strategies in Islamic studies
3. Surveying the latest research in Islamic studies in important sub-fields
4. Producing an edited volume that would feature the papers presented during the Summer Institute (after revisions and editing).

Call for papers

The IIIT Summer Institute for Scholars 2018 aims at addressing these issues and calls for papers that will contribute to surveying the field, understanding as well as developing pedagogies in Islamic studies, and integrating the latest research into teaching. The Summer Institute welcomes papers written from theological/normative along with critical and social science perspectives. We are particularly interested in studies that integrate normative and humanistic/social science approaches. Papers could include theoretical investigations as well as case studies in various disciplines and sub-fields related to the teaching and studying of Islam.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mapping the terrain in Islamic studies
• Diverse philosophies and approaches to Islamic studies in North American colleges and universities
• Teaching the Islamic scriptures
• Teaching and studying Islamic jurisprudence and legal history
• Methodologies in the teaching and study of Muslim history and civilization
• Teaching Islam 101
• Islamic studies and secularism
• Study of gender and/or race
• Islamic studies in Christian/Jewish seminaries
• The study and teaching of Islam in Muslim theological schools/seminaries/liberal arts colleges
• Pedagogical innovations and tools in teaching Islam
• Identity politics and Islamic studies
• Teaching Islam in comparative religions and/or interfaith courses and studies

Special lectures

This year’s Summer Institute will feature two keynote presentations by:

Prof. Marcia Hermansen, Loyola University Chicago
Prof. Bruce Lawrence, Duke University

Abstract submission 

The abstract should be 250-300 words. Please email the abstract and an academic CV (up to 3 pages) as a single file to submissions@iiit.org with the subject heading “Summer Institute for Scholars 2018.”

Abstract deadline: February 28, 2018

Funding and travel

IIIT will cover travel costs (up to $500) and hotel accommodation during the Summer Institute; in addition, a $500 stipend will be awarded for meals, ground transportation, and incidentals.

Paper length and publication

Participants are required to write a full paper and submit it to IIIT no later than June 27. Funding is contingent on submitting the paper by this deadline.

The paper should be between 6,000 and 8,000 words.

IIIT will publish select papers in an edited volume, after a peer-review and an editing process. By submitting a paper to the Summer Institute, the author agrees to publish in an edited volume.

Participants are required to attend Summer Institute in full. No exceptions will be made. They are expected to arrive in Herndon, VA, on July 10, and leave on July 14.

Sample of Observing the Observer: The State of Islamic Studies in American Universities