INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT (IIIT)
500 Grove St., Herndon, VA 20170 Tel 703 471 1133 Fax 703 471 3922
 
 
Summer Internship Program 2009
 (July 6 – August 14, 2009)
 
Structure & Organization

The Summer Internship Program is structured to provide the students with intensive instruction in Islamic studies, directed research and training in an area of their interest, and administrative work at IIIT. The program includes three types of activities: 1) Instruction in core courses in Islamic studies. These include:  Quran and Sunna, Islamic Jurisprudence, and Islamic History and Civilization; 2) Directed research and hands-on training in an area of their interest. Areas offered include: research methods for Islamic studies, civic and political engagement, Islamic banking and finance, faith-based entrepreneurship, investment and budgeting, publication, marketing, leadership and organizations and non-profit management; and 3) Field trips, briefings and panel discussions centered around the theme” Islam in America”.

1. Core Courses

a. Quran and Sunna

This course introduces the student to the history and the methods of approaching Quran and Sunna. It has two components: the first one focuses on understanding the Quran: its history, the major themes of the Quran, the different methods of approaching the Quran, the major issues involving the Quran and the contemporary challenges and how to address them. The second unit or component focuses on the Sunna: its history, its relationship with the Quran, the major scholars of Hadith and their contributions, the major issues involving the Sunna historically and their contemporary manifestations; and the appropriate Islamic responses to those contemporary challenges. Each of these two components will take 6  hours in the course of one week.

b. Fiqh or Islamic Jurisprudence

This course has two components: an introductory part that deals with the basic principles of Islamic jurisprudence, the history of Fiqh as a category of thought and practice with a focus on the major schools of Fiqh both Sunni and Shia and a reflection on the biographies of the Imams of the major schools of jurisprudence in relation to the political and social dynamics of their times. The second part introduces the higher principles of Islamic law (Maqasid al Sharia) in general terms and as they apply to contemporary realities. In particular, this unit focuses on the development of an Islamic jurisprudence for minorities ( Fiqh al Aqaliyyat). Each of these two parts will take 6 hours in the course of one week.

c. Islamic History and Civilization

Part I of this course introduces the student to the context, the essence and manifestations of Islamic Civilization and history. It explores the origins of Islamic civilization in Arabia: its geography, demographics, languages and history, religious traditions and culture. It expounds the concept of Tawhid as the essence of Islam, the core of Islamic civilization. From there it presents the different forms this essence has taken and the different manifestations of it in politics, science, law, literature, arts, architecture as well as philosophy, theology ( Kalam) and mysticism (Tasawwuf). Part II of the course addresses the contemporary issues and challenges facing Islamic civilization, particularly in relation to the West, from an Islamic viewpoint. This would include issues such as democracy, human rights, social justice, women’s rights, the environment, etc. Each of these two parts will take 6 hours in the course of one week.

d. Comparative Religion

This course provides a comparative understanding of the core belief systems, values, rituals and historical evolution of the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam as well as their current relations. The course will focus on key aspects such as the concepts of revelation, deity, prophethood as well as phenomena such as traditionalism and reform or reformation, radicalism and moderation, populism and hierarchy, interfaith dialogue, etc. The course will take 6 hours within one week.
 
2. Individual Instruction and Training

Each student will be assigned to one of IIIT faculty or staff for individual instruction or training in an area – or areas – of their choosing. Each student should identify three areas of interest from the following:

   2.1 Organization and Leadership
   2.2 Research Methods for Islamic Studies
   2.3 Islamic Financial Systems
   2.4 Faith-Based Entrepreneurship
   2.5 Investment and Budgeting
   2.6 Publications and Marketing
   2.7 Civic and political engagement
   2.8 Non profit management

3. Field Trips

Students will visit the head offices of major Muslim organizations in the Washington metropolitan area for briefings and discussions around the theme “Islam in America”. Focus of these visits will be on history of Muslims in America, issues of identity, integration and assimilation and the challenges of civic and political engagement. The field trips, briefings and panel discussions will cover a full week.

4. Directed Research

Each student is expected to declare a specific area of interest for research or project work from the ones mentioned in (1) and (2) above. Accordingly, the student will be assigned a supervisor from the faculty of IIIT or from IIIT associate faculty members. The supervisor will help the student identify a specific topic for research or project work, develop a research/work plan and in the process of conducting the research itself. Each student should pick a topic no later than the end of the second week ( i.e Friday, July 17th ); submit a research proposal by July 20th, and a final draft by August 7th. The last five days of the program ( August 10-14 ) will be dedicated to the presentations and discussion of student research papers and projects, beside the graduation ceremony.

5. Evaluation 

Evaluation of performance for each student will be based on testing (one test at the end of each course  60%);  assignments 20%; attendance 20%).
Grading system:  A: 90% and above

B: 80% - 89%
C: 60% - 79%
D: 50% - 69%
F: Below 50%

An assessment of overall performance for each student will be made accordingly, and top three students will get special prizes from IIIT.

6. Administrative Work

The student is expected to contribute two hours of administrative work each week. The specific area of work will be determined by the Director of the Program and according to need, but the interest of the student will be taken into consideration.

7. Financial Aid

IIIT will provide a scholarship of $1,200 to each student to be paid on a biweekly basis as long as they are in good standing during the program.
 
8. Housing and Transportation