COURSE LISTING
Short courses - Program description
IKI Academy is an online educational platform that offers postgraduate courses in Islamic studies from an integrated and interdisciplinary perspective. The mission of the project is to promote the development of human knowledge, dignity, and respect in modern society.
In addition to the main program of Postgraduate Certificate in Islamic Thought and Knowledge Integration, IKI Academy also offers the possibility to attend individual courses that are designed to enhance the Islamic thought in relation to contemporary issues and challenges. These courses are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about Islam and its relevance to the contemporary world.
The individual courses consist of three online synchronous sessions or lectures of 2 hours each, delivered by qualified and experienced instructors. The courses cover various topics and phenomena from an integrated interdisciplinary perspective. Number of courses and modules may increase depending on demand.
All courses at IKI Academy are conducted online with synchronous face-to-face lectures.
Individual courses are open to all interested individuals.
All individual courses are offered Free of Charge.
Participants are expected to write a short reflection paper (essay) of about 500-750 words.
To be eligible for the Certificate of Attendance, participants are required to attend all lectures and submit a reflection paper.
Short courses
Islamic Art and Architecture
Prepared by: Ar. Brunilda Basha, Ph.D.
Course Synopsis
This course explores the intellectual, spiritual, and artistic foundations of Islamic art and architecture from the 7th century to the present. Over nearly fifteen centuries, Islamic civilization produced a rich and diverse visual culture extending from Spain and West Africa to Central Asia and China. From monumental mosques and palaces to manuscripts, textiles, and refined decorative arts, Islamic creativity shaped both sacred and civic environments.
The course begins with the philosophical and cultural principles that inform Islamic spatial design — unity (tawhid), geometry, light, proportion, and symbolism — and examines how these ideas structure buildings and entire cities. It then traces the historical development of Islamic architecture across major periods, including the Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras, highlighting regional variations and stylistic transformations.
Special attention is given to key architectural typologies, particularly the mosque as a spiritual and social nucleus, alongside palaces, tombs, and public structures.
The course concludes with an exploration of Islamic ornament and visual language — geometry, arabesque, muqarnas, and calligraphy — and reflects on their reinterpretation in contemporary practice.
Course Learning Outcomes
– Analyze the philosophical and cultural foundations of Islamic art and architecture.
– Identify major historical phases and architectural typologies.
– Interpret Islamic ornament as a visual and spiritual language.
– Evaluate contemporary reinterpretations of Islamic architectural principles.
Course Structure
Module 1: Foundations and History
– Philosophical principles of Islamic space
– Historical evolution across regions and dynasties
Module 2: Architectural Typologies
– The mosque: form, function, and diversity
– Palaces, tombs, darusifa-s and civic structures
Module 3: Art, Ornament, and Contemporary Practice
– Geometry, arabesque, muqarnas, calligraphy
– Islamic architecture in the modern world
Lecturer
Ar. Brunilda Basha, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in History and Theory of Architecture, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul (2018–2025). M.Sc. in Built Environment, International Islamic University Malaysia. B.Arch. and B.Sc. in Architectural Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia.
Lecturer at the University of New York Tirana, Department of Architecture and Design (2025–present). Founder and Lead Architect of DAHA Architects Studio.
Research interests include Islamic architecture, history of architecture, heritage preservation, sustainability, theory, adaptive reuse, and sacred art. Author of multiple peer-reviewed publications on Ottoman heritage and Islamic architectural typologies.
Schedule
28 March – 15:00–17:00 (Istanbul time)
28 March – 18:00–20:00 (Istanbul time)
7 April – 18:00–20:00 (Istanbul time)
Key References
– Burckhardt, T. (2009). Art of Islam: Language and Meaning. World Wisdom.
– Ettinghausen, R., Grabar, O., & Jenkins-Madina, M. (2003). Islamic Art and Architecture 650–1250. Yale University Press.
– Hillenbrand, R. (1995). Islamic Architecture: Form, Function, and Meaning. Columbia University Press.
– Frishman, M., & Khan, H.-U. (2002). The Mosque: History, Architectural Development & Regional Diversity. Thames & Hudson.
– Bloom, J., & Blair, S. (1997). Islamic Arts. Phaidon Press.
Short Course "Al-Khitāb al-Qur’ānī - The Qur’ānic Discourse in Dealing with Others"
Lecturer: Dr. Fatmir Shehu
Resume:
Dr. Fatmir Shehu, an Albanian scholar, is an Associate Professor at the Department of Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Since 2021, he has been an instructor at the Institute of Knowledge Integration (IKI) for the online Postgraduate Programme.
He holds a B.A. and M.A. in Arabic Language/Linguistics, and a Ph.D. in Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion from IIUM, Malaysia, with his Ph.D. research focusing on “Nostra Aetate and the Islamic Perspective of Inter-Religious Dialogue”.
Dr. Shehu served as a Deputy Director at the International Institute for Muslim Unity (IIMU) (2021–2023) and as HOD, Department of Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion, IIUM. He has over 18 years of teaching and supervising experience at Undergraduate, Diploma, and Postgraduate levels.
His research interests include Islam and others, Qur’ānic and Sunnah Studies, Inter-Religious Dialogue, Muslim and Western Scholarship in Comparative Religion, Comparative Ethics, World Religions, Theology, Ethnic & Minority Studies, Cultural Studies, and Peace and Tolerance Studies.
Dr. Shehu has presented at numerous international and local conferences, seminars, forums, and webinars, and has authored/co-authored 44 articles, authored/edited 6 books, and authored 11 book chapters.
Synopsis:
This Virtual Short Course introduces participants to al-Khitāb al-Qur’ānī – The Qur’ānic Discourse in Dealing with Others and provides relevant knowledge by explaining selected types of discourses extracted from the Qur’ān, used in direct or indirect contexts.
This course offers an exegetical analysis of selected Qur’ānic text to extract appropriate discourses relevant to contemporary global society.
It covers al-Qur’ān as the Divine Source of Knowledge, the meaning of Qur’ānic Discourse and its types (descriptive, objective, analytical, critical, comparative, argumentative, and travelogue) with detailed explanations.
Participants gain knowledge and skills concerning Qur’ānic Discourse and its types, enabling them to interact with others in daily life and differentiate between Qur’ānic Discourse and discourses from other religions and human ideologies.
Course Outline (3 Sessions):
Session 1: Al-Qur’ān as the Divine Source of Knowledge, the Qur’ānic Discourse, a brief explanation of the types of Qur’ānic Discourses in dealing with others, and the categorization of others.
Session 2: Descriptive, Objective, Analytical, and Critical Qur’ānic Discourses in dealing with others.
Session 3: Comparative, Argumentative, and Travelogue Qur’ānic Discourses in dealing with others.
Short Course "Combating Plagiarism in Academic Writing"
Lecturer: Dr. Bukuri Zejno
Resume:
Dr. Bukuri Zejno, originally from Albania and residing in Malaysia, holds a B.A. (Hons) in Communication, Human Sciences, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Education from IIUM. She served as an Assistant Professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), teaching courses like "Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving," "The Islamic Worldview, Knowledge and Civilization," and "Family Management and Parenting."
From January 2023 to January 2025, Dr. Bukuri was the Director of Academic Affairs at the Institute of Knowledge Integration (IKI) Academy, Georgia, where she has also been an instructor since 2021, teaching "Fundamentals of Islam: Concepts and Applications," "Islamic Education," and "Islam and Family Institution."
Her publications cover topics such as education, ethics of technology use, plagiarism, women’s participation in education and work, educational policy, and academic integrity.
Synopsis:
This course aims to equip students and academicians with the knowledge and skills to avoid plagiarism in their academic writing. It covers the definition, types, and forms of plagiarism, as well as its contributing factors.
The course will delve into proper citation techniques and appropriate methods for borrowing information and ideas from external sources, addressing ambiguities often encountered by writers.
Furthermore, it will explore the Islamic perspective on intellectual property and discuss the legal, religious, and spiritual consequences of intellectual theft.
The course incorporates various activities designed to raise awareness, promote ethical information usage, and connect these practices to the Islamic principles of Taqwa and Amanah.
Course Outline (3 Sessions):
Session One:
– What is Plagiarism?
– Appropriate Citation Techniques
Session Two:
– Islam and Intellectual Property (IP)
– Concepts of the Islamic Worldview Related to IP (Akhlaq, Ibadah, Adab, Khilafah, Amanah, Taqwa)
Session Three:
– Factors Influencing Plagiarizing Behavior
– Strategies for Minimizing Plagiarism