Fatih Oguzhan is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring inIslamic Studies and Criminology.

Many people are unaware of how diverse and complex Islamic history is. I chose this major because I thought it was important to be educated about Islam, share knowledge with others, especially in a society where Islam is often immediately associated with violence. As a Muslim, studying Islamic Studies from an academic perspective has made me realise how little I knew about my faith.

Through-out my undergraduate course, I have read widely on different approaches to interpreting the Qur’an, each of which offers new ways of making a seventh-century text remain relevant in the 21st century.

Media discourse tends to use very problematic terms such as ‘Jihadi’ or ‘fundamentalist’, without understanding the subtle differences between them. Forming your own ideas and ensuring that you do not simply accept everything at face value has been a key part of the course.

Last year, I wrote an essay on how a small group of scholars aim to reconcile non-heterosexuality with Islam. This exposed me to very interesting ideas and approaches in interpreting verses relating to the narrative of Lot/Lut.

I also had the privilege to study on exchange at King’s College London for six months, where I had completed four modules for my degree. I really cherish the time I spent there.

I am interested in modern Qur’anic hermeneutics, and how new methodologies can offer a way to read, understand, and apply the text in the 21st century. I am also interested in the esoteric dimension of Islam (Sufism) and the rich intellectual history/heritage of Islam. My long-term goal and dream career is to become an academic tutor in Islamic Studies at the Asia Institute of the University of Melbourne, teaching students subjects I once studied, such as Understanding Islam and Muslim Societies or Introduction to Islamic Spirituality.

Islamic Studies

Overview

Major overview

Overview

Related study areas