Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism
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Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism

Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism

A multidisciplinary program to equip the next generation of curators, historians, and designers with a critical and informed understanding of Islamic art and architecture

Hamad Bin Khalifa University

In light of contemporary developments in the integration of Islamic art and its reformulation in modern architecture, there is a growing need for experts who are able to combine heritage with contemporary techniques and trends through providing innovative architectural and urban design solutions.

The Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism is a multidisciplinary program conducted in collaboration with the University of Oxford in the UK. It aims to equip future designers, curators, and historians with a critical and informed understanding of Islamic art and architecture, in order to create and publish socially relevant material that promotes self-identity in the region.

This program encourages research towards safeguarding Islamic cultural heritage by examining the contextual history of Islamic art, architecture, and urbanism. Graduates of this program will be able to pursue careers in Islamic art history, contemporary mosque architecture, and sustainable urbanism fields.

Program Focus

The Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism program is unique in focus, structure, and content with no similar program being offered in the Islamic world. The program focuses on the critical construction, acquisition, dissemination, and application of art history, architecture, and urbanism to international institutions in general, and more specifically to diverse Islamic societies.

The program is comprehensive in nature, as it delves into the art, architecture, and urbanism of a wide range of Islam-influenced civilizations. It offers specializations that aim to develop critical tools for the analysis of buildings and public spaces at different scales, and advanced skills for their application in architectural design projects. Another track endeavors to develop expertise in the study and display of historical objects and the deep understanding and appreciation required to exhibit such objects.

The master’s program further utilizes creative platforms outside the traditional classroom, such as a “makerspace” (collaborative workshop), which is allotted to each student and is personalized to enable working on a global problem and identifying ways to address it using the skills acquired during the program.

Curriculum

A 36-credit degree program taught over two years in English, that includes:

  • One foundation course (3 credits)

    • Qur’anic Civilizations, Geography, and Archaeology

  • Six core courses (18 credits)

    • History of Islamic Art and Architecture I (650-1250)
    • History of Islamic Art and Architecture II (1250-1900)
    • Independent Project Modelling
    • Research and Design Methods
    • Survey of Architectural Typologies of the Islamic World
    • Sustainable Islamic Urbanism: Past and Present

  • A choice of three specializations (9 credits)

    • Specialization I: Islamic Arts: History and Cultural Display
      • Islamic Objects and Manuscripts
      • Museum and Exhibition Studies
      • Elective*
    • Specialization II: Contemporary Mosque Architecture
      • Islamic Architecture and Urbanism
      • in the 20th and 21st Centuries
      • Mosque Architecture Design
      • Elective*
    • Specialization III: Sustainable Cities of Muslim Societies
      • Contemporary Cities for Muslim Societies
      • Globalization, Cities, and Urban Policies
      • Elective*

  • Thesis (6 credits)

  • *Students can select an elective course from the program, or from the catalogs of HBKU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) or HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE).

View Admission & Application Requirements

Foundation course (3 credits)

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  • Quranic Civilizations, Geography and Archaeology

Core courses (18 credits)

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  • History of Islamic Art and Architecture I (650-1250)
  • History of Islamic Art and Architecture II (1250-1900)
  • Sustainable Islamic Urbanism: Past and Present
  • Research and Design Methods
  • Survey of Architectural Typologies of the Islamic World
  • Independent Project Modelling

Specialization Courses

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Specialization (1): Islamic Arts: History and Cultural Display

  • Islamic Objects and Manuscripts
  • Museum and Exhibition Studies
  • Elective

Specialization (2): Contemporary Mosque Architecture

  • Mosque Architecture Design
  • Islamic Architecture and Urbanism in the 20th & 21st Centuries
  • Elective

Specialization (3): Sustainable Cities of Muslim Societies

  • Contemporary Cities for Muslim Societies
  • Globalization, Cities and Urban Policies 
  • Elective

Thesis (6 credits)

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