Islam, Politics and Media

9.2.2027 - 31.7.2027

5 cr

Face-to-face

Advanced studies

This study unit introduces students to central debates and methods in the study of Islam in relation to politics and media. It combines theoretical discussions with empirical case studies and draws from multiple disciplines. Possible themes include media representations of Islam and Muslims in local, national, and global contexts; political Islam and Islamism; religion and secularism; Muslim voices and authority in digital and traditional media; and the ways Islam is positioned within global debates on democracy, reform, and human rights. Students will engage with examples from different regions and contexts, including Muslim-majority societies and diasporic communities. The exact focus will vary depending on the teacher’s focus and current debates.

Contains

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Additional information and registration

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Additional information:

Fields

Humanities

Scope

5 cr

Code

KUMA-IST324

With the successful completion of this study unit, students will be able to:

understand major scholarly debates on the relationship between Islam, politics, and media in historical and contemporary contexts;
analyze how Islam and Muslim communities are represented, contested, and negotiated across different political and media arenas;
apply interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., political science, religious studies, media studies, anthropology, history) to selected case studies;
critically evaluate how political discourses and media practices shape religious identities, authority, and public perceptions of Islam;
compare political and media practices in diverse national, transnational, and diasporic contexts.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
The assessment is based on the learning objectives. More detailed assessment criteria and methods will be provided in the annual teaching program.

Completion methods
The course is primarily conducted as a lecture course. The lecture course may not be offered every year. Independent study is also an option. Detailed instructions regarding teaching hours, modes of completion, literature, and assessment will be defined annually in connection with the courses offered for the module.

Organiser

University of Helsinki

Contact details

uni-help@helsinki.fi

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