Conn gets grant to establish Islamic studies program

New London - Connecticut College has been awarded a $100,000 planning grant by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to develop a new program in global Islamic studies.

"The new pilot program will give students an interdisciplinary focus on Muslim communities worldwide. The curriculum will challenge assumptions about the role of Islam in contemporary politics and explore how these assumptions have shaped our understanding of Islam and Muslims in a global context," Sufia Uddin, associate professor of religious studies, who will oversee the project, said in a statement.

Initial steps include plans for a group of faculty to visit Turkey to develop expertise for a new gateway course. Incorporating global Islamic studies across disciplines at the College, including classes outside of international and foreign language studies, is also planned.