Mason Welcomes New Islamic Studies Program Director

B.J. Koubaroulis

2009-10-19T12:57:00Z

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<a href="http://islamicstudies.gmu.edu/" target="_blank">For More Information</a>

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George Mason University welcomes Dr. Cemil Aydin as the new director of its Center for Global Islamic Studies. Aydin joined Mason’s History and Art History Department in the fall of 2009, holding the Endowed IIIT Chair in Islamic Studies, bringing with him years of experience in the fields of history and Middle Eastern studies. Aydin studied at Boğaziçi University, İstanbul University, and the University of Tokyo before receiving his Ph.D. degree at Harvard University in 2002. He was an Academy Scholar at the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, and a post-doctoral fellow at Princeton University’s Department of Near Eastern Studies. Dr. Aydin previously taught at Harvard University, Princeton University, Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Dr. Aydin has published extensively on the international history of the Muslim world and Asia, Orientalism, and global intellectual history. His recent publications include a book, Politics of Anti-Westernism in Asia: Visions of World Order in Pan-Islamic and Pan-Asian Thought (Columbia University Press, 2007), a co-edited volume on “Critiques of the West in Iran, Turkey and Japan” in Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East 26:3 (Fall 2006). Dr. Aydin is currently working on a book manuscript on the intellectual history of the idea of the Muslim World (forthcoming, Harvard University Press). CHSS Recently caught up with Aydin. Here’s what he had to say: CHSS: Why did you come to George Mason? What aspects of the Mason environment drew your interest? AYDIN: For a scholar of Islamic Studies and global history, Mason is now one of the most exciting and attractive campuses in the country. This campus has more than 15 scholars  researching and teaching on issues related to the Muslim world. It is an amazingly diverse campus with a significant Muslim-American student population. Coupled with its key location, I am convinced that Mason will be a major center of scholarship in Islamic studies. Moreover, George Mason’s history department pays close attention to the growing field of world history. After all, Mason Provost Peter Stearns himself is one of the most important scholars of world history in America. These two strengths of Mason in Islamic Studies and world history helped my decision to come here. CHSS: What are your plans for developing the Islamic studies offerings at Mason in the next few years? AYDIN: Together with my colleagues in Islamic studies, we are improving the course offerings in Islamic studies, which we hope will culminate with the establishment of a master’s program in Islamic and Arabic Studies. Personally, I will teach undergraduate courses on Islam in world history and graduate courses in intellectual history of the Muslim world. We are working on improving the number of study abroad programs in universities of different Muslim societies and language offerings. CHSS: What makes Mason a unique place for teaching Islamic studies? AYDIN: George Mason has one of the most diverse campuses in the world. Here, when we teach about the Muslim world, we are not talking about an unfamiliar religious tradition or parts of the world. Every single classroom here has students from Muslim heritage. Moreover, our students come from relatively cosmopolitan backgrounds. Thus, we have an opportunity to move beyond the simple introductory facts and discuss more complex issues related to Islamic tradition and Muslim societies. Our master’s program, which we hope to start in Fall 2011, will help create a more research-oriented culture as well. CHSS: What might draw a prospective student to Islamic studies? AYDIN: Currently, Mason has a fantastic minor program in Islamic studies, with lots of interesting courses offered by leading scholars in their fields. Any student, from any major, can take six rigorous and eye-opening courses on the history, politics, religious tradition, and culture of Muslim societies, and will have a good grasp of this topic. It will prepare students for exciting career opportunities in government and international non-governmental organizations, or help  them enter competitive graduate programs.

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2009-10-19T12:57:00Z

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Published Aydin brings experiences from Istanbul, Tokyo and Harvard to George Mason

George Mason University welcomes Dr. Cemil Aydin as the new director of its Center for Global Islamic Studies. Aydin joined Mason’s History and Art History Department in the fall of 2009, holding the Endowed IIIT Chair in Islamic Studies, bringing with him years of experience in the fields of history and Middle Eastern studies.

Mason Welcomes New Islamic Studies Program Director

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Mason Welcomes New Islamic Studies Program Director

2009-11-06T15:26:05Z

B.J. Koubaroulis

2009-09-08T14:14:34Z

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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_at_ep_srch/189-2113261-5287841?ie=UTF8&search-alias=books&field-author=Juliane+Hammer&sort=relevancerank">More About Hammer's Books</a>

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This fall, the Religious Studies Department welcomes Dr. Juliane Hammer to its distinguished list of professors. Dr. Hammer, who received her PhD in Islamic studies from Humboldt University in Berlin, has a wealth of experience in teaching Islamic studies, having taught at Princeton, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Elon University. She was also a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. Her areas of expertise include American Muslim women, Islamic education and Muslim thought in North America, Muslims in Europe, women and gender issues in Islam, Muslims and media representations, as well as Palestinian diaspora communities. “I am excited about the existing minor program in Islamic studies and hope that my courses and my research will be a meaningful contribution to the program and the university at large,” said Hammer. “George Mason University has a significant Muslim student population and is exceptionally diverse. Because of its location so close to Washington, D.C., I expect my knowledge and teaching to be of relevance for students and colleagues interested in global affairs, religious diversity, and cross-cultural understanding. American Muslims are our neighbors and colleagues and have made significant contributions to American society, past and present. Studying their histories, experiences and institutions can also teach us about the dynamics of American society and our approaches to religion, diversity and politics. Hammer is fluent in German, English, and Arabic and has reading ability in Russian and Persian and is learning Turkish Her appointment is in line with George Mason University’s commitment to becoming a place of global learning. “To a department whose faculty are drawn from East and South Asia, Scotland and the U.S., Dr. Hammer will bring a European dimension,” said Religious Studies faculty member John Burns. “Her work on Muslim women in the U.S. and Palestinians in a global or Diaspora context is extremely relevant and will allow the religious studies department to increase its already strong presence. In addition to publishing dozens of journal articles and book chapters, Hammer has published three books about Palestinian society and diaspora experiences, as well as a co-edited collection on “Critiques of the West.” Forthcoming are another co-edited journal issue on “Muslims and Media” and a monograph on American Muslim women and gender discourses. “Students are confronted with globalization with its positive and negative effects on a daily basis,” Hammer said. “In my teaching, I emphasize the interconnectedness of current issues and global affairs with global history and the necessity of looking at the world from different perspectives.” Hammer’s research interests include the intersection of gender issues, intellectual production and the significant presence of Muslims communities in North America. She has organized and participated in several workshops and symposiums at universities around the world, including Oxford, Princeton, Harvard, and Humboldt. “Understanding the dynamics of religious expression and religious life as well as the contested role of religion in the public sphere should be of paramount importance for all students regardless of their field of study or future career,” Hammer said.

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2009-09-08T14:14:34Z

In my teaching, I emphasize the interconnectedness of current issues and global affairs with global history and the necessity of looking at the world from different perspectives.

Juliane Hammer, Religious Studies

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Published Dr. Juliane Hammer hopes to add to Mason’s religious diversity and cross-cultural understanding.

This fall, the Religious Studies Department welcomes Dr. Juliane Hammer to its distinguished list of professors. Dr. Hammer, who received her PhD in Islamic studies from Humboldt University in Berlin, has a wealth of experience in teaching Islamic studies having taught at Princeton, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Elon University.

Religious Studies Department Welcomes Islamic Studies Professor

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Religious Studies Welcomes Islamic Studies Professor

2009-09-12T21:34:41Z

B.J. Koubaroulis

2009-07-20T13:32:10Z

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Read more about <a href="http://www.scripturalreasoning.org/">Scriptural Reasoning.</a>

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George Mason University religious studies professors Randi Rashkover and Maria Dakake recently attended a scriptural reasoning symposium at Cambridge University in England. The June symposium "Scriptural Reasoning in the University" is one that grouped prestigious professors and others from around the world to investigate "the relevancy of ancient texts such as the Bible and the Qur'an for modern life and how to deal with those critically, intellectually, rationally, but not dismissively or disparagingly," says John Burns, summer chair of Mason's Religious Studies department. Rashkover and Dakake joined a group of Islamic, Jewish and Christian scholars that have studied together for many years, exploring these religious texts. "A particular methodology of studying together which values the willingness to permit one's own texts to be read alongside others whose sacred texts are different has developed called 'scriptural reasoning,'" said Rashkover. "Scriptural reasoning has the practical benefits of forging close working relationships between participants and a deep appreciation for the value of the texts of different traditions." <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scriptural_reasoning">Scriptural Reasoning</a> is defined as a practice that builds sociality among its practitioners and releases sources of reason, compassion and divine spirit for healing our separate communities and for repair of the world, according to Steven Kepnes, a leading Jewish philosopher. Rashkover sees ways that the practice can influence conflict resolution. "George Mason prides itself on developing new theories and practices in global conflict resolution," said Rashkover. "The notion that religious traditions play a crucial role in contributing to these strategies is frequently neglected. Scriptural Reasoning taps into the textual and rational resources of the three Abrahamic traditions to foster a unique strategy for conflict resolution premised upon the mutual respect and engagement with the central and sacred texts of the three traditions."

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2009-07-20T13:32:10Z

Scriptural reasoning has the practical benefits of forging close working relationships between participants and a deep appreciation for the value of the texts of different traditions.

Randi Rashkover, Professor of Religious Studies at George Mason University

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Published Professors think the practice can aid conflict resolution

George Mason University religious studies professors Randi Rashkover and Maria Dakake recently attended a scriptural reasoning symposium at Cambridge University in England. The June symposium “Scriptural Reasoning in the University” is one that grouped prestigious professors and others from around the world to investigate “the relevancy of ancient texts such as the Bible and the Qur’an for modern life and how to deal with those critically, intellectually, rationally, but not dismissively or disparagingly,” says John Burns, summer chair of Mason’s Religious Studies department.

Rashkover and Dakake Attend Scriptural Reasoning Symposium at Cambridge

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Rashkover and Dakake Attend Scriptural Reasoning Symposium at Cambridge

2009-09-11T20:03:19Z

2009-06-15T13:14:12Z

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Published Web resources help students gain understanding

The Religious Studies department has compiled a list of resources that help students gain a better understanding of the world's major religious traditions.

Religious Studies Department Offers Students Resources

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Religious Studies Department Offers Students Resources

2009-08-04T22:13:13Z

http://religioustest.gmu.edu/forundergraduates