Department of Religion Studies Study of Islam

Post-Graduate Student Writing, Research and Publication Process

INTRODUCTION The purpose of the document is to highlight the work being done with Post-Graduate students in Islam with the intention of extending some of the ideas into the rest of the Department. A Program; We view the Study of Islam at a Post-Graduate level as a program rather wherein the work towards a particular degree is the most important component but nevertheless, only one component in a program designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity, to acquire and to contribute to the creation of knowledge about Islam, its texts and the religious lives of adherents as well as the insights of scholars who stand outside and critical of this tradition. This program comprises the following: Short courses, Public lectures, Graduate seminars, Peer-support in writing and research A three day course on research and Writing for Religion Studies, Exposure to international scholarship by a) inviting international speakers and b) drawing students from different parts of the world Introducing students to conference-presenting and publication in accredited journals.

An important objective in the Study of Islam is to ensure that students granted admission into the programme (Honours and MA) have the required tools necessary for conducting thorough and comprehensive research and also are able to write and contribute articles and papers for publication and conference presentations. This is an important aspect of the academic process as academics and academic departments are judged, among other criteria, on the calibre of their graduates and their contribution to the body of knowledge. As such, I am ensuring that a structure that will enable us to meets these objectives is established. We detail below how we approach this at the varous steps of students journeying with us: THE RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING EXAMS Most of the candidates in our Honours programme come through the RPL process. We take this process seriously and try our best to identify suitable candidates. Preparation for the RPL entails that the potential candidate who normally has a prior degree from a traditional seminary read, studies three books relating to a) the study of Islam as an academic discipline; b) a serious academic introduction to Islam; c) an introductory text on the study of religion. In addition, a general knowledge section also forms part of the examination to gage how familiar the candidate is with issues relating to Islam in general and applicants level of familiarity in Arabic. Candidates who do not succeed in the RPL exam but demonstrate potential are provided with support and coaching to
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prepare for the next years admission intake. This includes auditing classes and submitting assignments. In this respect, we are committed to UJs principle of being a capacitating university that takes seriously the support and attention required for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. THE BA HONOURS COURSE Pre-Semester Workshop: The Honours course begins with an intensive 3 day workshop on research, writing and methodology in Religion Studies. This workshop provides students with essential tools in respect of how to write objectively, conduct research, referencing in academic papers and important terms and concepts in religion studies and the Humanities in general. This workshop also features a library session that introduces students to the library and its resources. A reader is provided for the course Lectures, Classes and Consultation: Each module in the Honours course is made up of 15 classes of two hours duration. We also schedule three consecutive to serve as public lectures by notable local and international intellectuals and scholars in the field. In addition, each module has a two-day workshop or conference which is also open to the public. For at least one of these two workshops we bring one of the finest international scholars in the field to conduct the program and interact with students. For personal monitoring of progress we schedule three 45 minute one-on-one consultations for each student during the semester. Writing During the Semester: We pay much attention to writing. Each module includes an average of 10 writing assignments of 1000 to 1600 words which a student is required to submit with an average of eleven days in between due dates. Assignments include journals and short academic pieces assignments. Detailed guidelines are samples of provided for each of these. These writing pieces require the student to engage with the readings, class discussions and their own ideas on the subject. The following structured and intensive feedback process supports students writing:: a. The Class Manager an Honours Bursar - checks a list of twelve basic requirements which include, technical presentation, structure, layout, typing, grammar, spelling, naming of document, font size, etc. If these things are not in order it is sent back to the student to rectify and resubmit. (The Class Manager is also responsible for, among others, keeping a record of attendance and latecoming, ensuring that verbal undertakings given by the lecturer is followed through and that announcement reach those not present b. The Class Manager submits the approved assignments to two graders. One brings a Religion Studies perspective to the feedback and the other an Islamic one. The graders mark the papers meticulously and provide detailed comments that are both substantive (accuracy of assertions, arguments, etc.) and structural (grammar, style, format, referencing). We also accept electronic submissions c. The Graders submit the papers to the lecturer who adds his own comments, moderates the grade and then forwards the papers to the students.

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The process is completed in 3 days prior to the due date of the next assignment so that comments and criticisms are incorporated into the next assignment. At times a paper is returned to a student for resubmission. A punitive tone characterises comments when the same errors are repeated in subsequent work.

Term Papers: The writing process is continued with term papers serve as a take home-exam. The stage of writing terms papers which serve as exams for each module and research papers is an important step. This is when the student has to demonstrate that they have learned the finer issues of writing and research. The deadline for the term paper is set fairly early about a month before the last class. Meetings are scheduled with each individual student to discuss the subject, content and methodology of the term paper after which the student is expected to submit a 100 word abstract. The paper is graded with detailed feedback and an explanation of the grade allocation. Papers are then returned to students for reworking and resubmission. (In order to prevent poor quality work at the first submission, no undertaking is given that a second draft will be entertained; in some cases, particularly with hard working students). Research Papers: For the Honours Research paper we carefully consider how the work can a) contribute to the research interest of the lecturer and b) serve as the foundation for a possible published journal article. We follow the following process a. Examples of proposals and abstracts are provided to students who are required to draft three proposals (100 words each). This forms a basis on which the student and lecturer discuss the strength of the proposals and to select one for the research paper. This may also include additional meetings and consultations with other academic staff and students within the department to fine tune the proposal and scope of the term paper and/or research paper. b. The proposal is refined and presented to the class where it is discussed and critiqued and advice is offered. c. The same process is followed for feedback as with the Term Paper

POST-GRADUATE CONFERENCE Coinciding with Graduation we have two-day Annual Post-Graduate Students Conference on the Study of Islam where students are invited to submit paper proposals. For our graduating Honours students (now MA candidates) the emphasis shifts to presenting a paper confidently and coherently and also answering questions relating to the paper. Papers are fitted into themes which are developed around the papers. Presenters are assisted with abstracts/proposals, writing the full paper and producing an edited 20 minute version for presentation. In addition, the call for papers is sent out inviting other postgraduates to submit proposals to present their work. This ensures that UJ students are exposed to outside scholarship and people and also assists in marketing the Department of Religion Studies at UJ as an important centre for the
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Study of Islam. This year the conference received 15 external proposals (6 international and 11 local). The event was open to the public. Seventy people attended and four outside academics and experts on the issues were present to provide feedback on the presentations. PUBLICATION The next step is to identify suitable papers for publication. This usually entails a high number of papers that are presented at the graduate conference. The process entails approximately 3 months for editing and refining papers, providing editorial support and administration, and the identifying of appropriate journals for submission. This step also includes papers by MA and PhD students which are determined in consultation with their supervisor. Two of the three Honours students who had their Honours Research Essay supervised by Prof Esack had papers published in accredited journal and the third is expected to be published this year. Currently we have five 2011 Honours graduates, two MA MA candidates and two PhD candidates a working on articles with a serious prospect for publication in accredited journals GRADUATE SEMINAR We have 6 Post-Graduate Seminars per annum where candidates present their proposals to the department. All members of the department are present and provide criticism and advice. Occasionally outside experts are invited to sit in for specific sessions. The proposal is refined together with the supervisor as well as other members of the department until it is ready for submission to the Higher Degrees Committee for consideration.

Prof Farid Esack 07th August, 2012

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