The debate on Islam shapes the political sphere and influences social discourse. To meet the growing need for sound knowledge in this area, the Berlin Graduate School on Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS) trains qualified specialists to work in academia, the media, politics, and international cooperation.

The Graduate School is a project of Freie Universität, Humboldt-Universität and Zentrum Moderner Orient. It is funded through the Gerda Henkel Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung and it has been awarded a prize for doctoral programmes by the Einstein Foundation.

The Graduate School investigates the entire spectrum of what is referred to both historically and currently as Islam. Research emphasizes the inner diversity, historical changeability and global connectedness of Muslim cultures and societies as well as relations between Muslims and non-Muslims. Projects investigate the role of Islam as a frame of reference for social, cultural and political phenomena. Interdisciplinary collaboration generates fascinating changes in perspective.

Geographically, the Graduate School covers a broad spectrum, which is partly due to the international

composition of researchers and partly due to the diversity of regions they study. In addition to the Middle East, research focuses on Sub-Saharan Africa, Central, South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Muslim diaspora in Europe and North America.

The Graduate School accepts applications from candidates holding a master’s degree in one of the disciplines represented at the Graduate School (Arabic Studies, Central Asian Studies, History, History of Islamic Art, Human Geography, Islamic Studies, Political Science, Semitic Studies, Social and Cultural Anthropology, South and Southeast Asian Studies, Southeast European History), with a ranking, where applicable, of above average. Our language of instruction and communication is English (CERF C1 certificate required).

Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Gudrun Krämer

Islam, muslim cultures, muslim societies, Area Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies