Question 1

History & Distinctives

Accepted Answer

The Institute for the Study of Religion in the Middle East (ISRME) has a specific academic focus, Middle Eastern religions and their interaction, and is shaped by a Christian ethos. As confessing Christians, we want other Christians to better understand the relationship between Christianity and Islam so that they can engage Muslims constructively and with integrity. At the same time we seek to model such constructive engagement by warmly welcoming Muslim students and academic colleagues into conversation, listening to and learning from one another in a spirit of humility, and extending confessional and intellectual hospitality. Our program in Christian-Muslim Relations is guided by these core values of the ISRME.

The Institute's academic program differs from many Christian-hosted programs on Islam, where Christians teach other Christians. Instead we aim to foster an environment in which we learn through engagement. We think that both Muslim and Christian students will benefit from studying together, learning from real-life opportunities to articulate their faith and hear one another. At the same time our program differs from many university-based programs on Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations because it is guided by a Christian ethos and because it engages squarely with the theological and ethical questions that Christians and Muslims care most about.

Question 2

Admission & Eligibility

Accepted Answer

All ISRME study programs assume ability to do Master’s level academic work.  At present all courses are taught in English, and non-native English speakers may be asked to provide evidence of facility in academic English.  A bachelor's degree or equivalent is ordinarily required to enroll in a course. Upper level undergraduates or students with relevant life experience will also be considered.  We welcome Muslim students, Christian students, or students of any faith.

Question 3

Curriculum

Accepted Answer

Our curriculum is built to reflect the strengths and experience of our faculty.  Instructors are invited to teach on the topics in Christian-Muslim relations that they find most compelling and important.  The curriculum is organized in three tiers:  (1) Core courses cover the topics and disciplines we think anyone concerned about Christian-Muslim engagement should study.  These form the heart of the ISRME  program;  (2) Specialized programs focus on  topics or specific contexts that reflect the particular experience or expertise of the instructor; (3) Research seminars and guided research courses are designed to serve students pursuing a research degree.

Question 4

Course delivery

Accepted Answer

Initially, to make the best use of our global network of faculty, all courses are offered online. In future we hope to introduce on-site intensive courses. Most of our programs involve real-time instruction over zoom.

Our programs usually last four weeks, though occasionally we run programs of six or eight weeks. The number of real-time sessions each week for any course is at the discretion of the instructor, and scheduling may also be adjusted to the needs of students.

Question 5

Faculty

Accepted Answer

Members of the ISRME faculty network live and work around the world. All have doctorates in fields related to Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, or are currently pursuing doctorates, and we welcome both Christian and Muslim scholars to teach in our programs. In addition to academic expertise, all of our instructors have long experience putting into practice what they teach, and deep knowledge of particular contexts of Christian-Muslim interaction, including Europe, North America, Egypt, North Africa, Turkey, and South Asia.

We regularly invite scholars from around the world to visit our courses to discuss their own research and to expose our participants to the best scholarship being pursued in the field. These have included both senior scholars and younger scholars engaged in cutting edge research. Guests to our programs have included Gabriel Reynolds, Notre Dame; Michael Penn, Stanford; Bert Jacobs, UC Louvain; Mona Siddiqui, Edinburgh; James K. A. Smith, Calvin University; Elif Tokay, Istanbul University; Harold Netland, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; and Anna Moreland, Villanova University.

Question 6

Credit

Accepted Answer

We may be able to offer Master's level credit depending on a student's particular circumstances and needs. Students who wish to receive academic credit for one of our programs should indicate this on their application, or write to info@isrme.org. We will try to work with you to determine the best option to meet your needs.

Question 7

Tuition & Fees

Accepted Answer

At present we offer all of our programs tuition-free to non-credit participants.  Fees for participants who wish to receive credit may vary according to their particular circumstances and needs, and will often depend on the policies of the degree granting institution where they are enrolled.

Study Program Listings

Reading the New Testament alongside the Qur’an

Mysticism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Readings in Islamic Theology

Qur’an Reading Group

Atonement in Biblical and Qur’anic Perspective

Perceiving God in Christianity and Islam

Eastern Christianity & Islam

The Qur’an: an Introduction in the Context of Christian-Muslim Encounter

Muhammad in Christian Perspective

History of Christian Muslim Relations

Religious Experience in Christianity and Islam

Prophets and Prophecy in Biblical and Qur’anic Perspective

Qur’an & Bible: Comparative Approaches

Islam and the Challenges of Modernity

Jesus in Islamic Perspective

The Emergence of Islam