The plurality of cultures and of religions that has developed even within the German society since the 1950s requires a total methodical turn within the humanities. This is especially the case with the traditionally historical-comparative and philological approaches of Islamic Studies in Germany. More complex Social Science and Culture Studies methodologies are here asked for. The Chair for Islamic Studies at the University of Erfurt attempts to bridge this apparent gap in the German academic landscape.

Instead of concentrating on normative tradition and classical literature, as has often lead to the false idea that there is one homogeneous ‘Islamic World’, is the approach in Erfurt centred on the social history of various Muslim cultures. This includes working out the differences between these societies and assessing the role and importance of religious beliefs for various groups within the societies. Understanding the differences is necessary to recognise and evaluate the various forms of expression and organisation that arise among Muslim minorities in Western Europe today.

Another important emphasis for the Chair in Erfurt has more pragmatic intentions. Through the analysis of processes of negotiation and perception between Muslim minority groups and the non-Muslim majority, the Chair fits well in with the overall programme of the University that aims at teaching subjects relevant to the functioning of modern German society.

Islamic Studies in Erfurt are aimed at inter-disciplinarity and internationality. This is on the one hand recognisable in their inclusion in the wider frame of Religious Studies, which provide a broad knowledge of the European religious landscape and on the other the co-operation with other departments, such as History, Literary Studies or Theology. An example of this co-operation is the compulsory “Studium Fundamentale”, from which all BA-students need a certain amount of credit points. Moreover, co-operation is also sought with other European or American academic institutions and study abroad programmes, field excursions and internships abroad are highly encouraged.

Cultural Studies and Social Sciences in general and Religious Studies in particular need to improve their practical orientation. Experts with well-founded knowledge of the religious minorities in Europe are already lacking. The Chair of Islamic Studies at the University of Erfurt has therefore declared it a goal to provide this sort of cultural competencies within the three-year BA-Programme enabling the graduates to promote integration instead of exclusion in societal areas such as the economy, politics, education or the press. Beyond the BA-Programme, it is also possible to absolve a two-year MA-Programme within Islamic Studies. Moreover, PhD-students of Islamic Studies – even coming from other disciplines – are also welcome to Erfurt.

The possibility to learn relevant languages exist next to the mentioned emphases of the Chair. This is necessary in order to be able to understand Islamic cultures fully. Within the BA-Programme, this is an option, while the MA-Programme requires the knowledge of at least one relevant language.