The MCA has launched the second stage of its project and requires the assistance of scholars to write abstracts on academic books. The MCA project team can provide more information on abstract guidelines when requested.

The MCA will be providing systematic bibliographic indices and abstracts of non-encyclopedic books concerning Muslim civilisations. These will be selected works of scholarship, involving original research and analysis and advances in relevant methodology. The abstracts, written by expert scholars will be provided in any of the following nine languages: English, Arabic, Bengali, French, Malay/Indonesian, Persian, Russian, Turkish and Urdu. The themes for the second stage of the project are as follows:

Knowledge Construction:
1) Surveys of the founding moments in Islam, i.e. major historical moments in Islam and how they have been received, perceived and interpreted in Muslim contexts throughout history and today.

2) Social and Cultural Change:
Issues of normativity: ethics and law: Usul al-Fiqh/Usul al-Din; Ijtihad (jurisprudence).

3) Societies and Modernities:
- Cities as built environments (architecture, urban infrastructure)
- Cities as lived environments (urban social life and culture)

Books written on these subjects can be in any language, but must have been published in the Muslim world. Books published in Russia, China and India are welcomed, but the topic must focus on Muslim civilisations.

The MCA will continue its first stage of abstracting encyclopaedias in tandem with the new themes, thus abstracts on encyclopedias will continue to be welcomed. Unlike the publications for the new themes, the encyclopedia’s place of publication can be anywhere in the world.

The MCA project (Muslim Civilisations Abstracts) was conceived as a means of furthering the study of Muslim societies by accessing scholarly literature about these societies in various languages. The aim is to unearth and share such knowledge across linguistic and cultural divides.
Further details of the project can be found on the Institute’s website at http://www.aku.edu/ismc/abp-d.shtml.

Key Responsibilities

To survey and write brief abstracts of scholarly books selected by the Institute.

Requirements

• PhD and research experience in Middle Eastern, Indian, Oriental or Islamic Studies. PhD candidates who have completed an MA/MPhil and who are well advanced in their doctoral research will be considered;
• Excellent proficiency in at least one of the following languages: Arabic, English, French, Malay/Indonesian, Persian, Russian, Turkish, Urdu. Knowledge of additional European and Asian languages, particularly Central Asian languages, will be an asset;
• Good computer skills are required;

To Apply
Candidates should send a brief letter and a curriculum vitae by 15 September, 2008 to:
Ms Karena Avedissian
Administrative Assistant (MCA)
Aga Khan University
4 Bedford Square
London WC1B 3RA
Tel: 020 7907 1053
Fax: 020 7907 1030
Email: ismc.mca@aku.edu

Disclaimer
AKU-ISMC is part of Aga Khan University (AKU), an international university with operations in ten countries. By submitting an application to AKU-ISMC you agree to revoke your rights under the Data Protection Act 1998 thereby permitting ISMC to share the contents of your application with relevant colleagues at our headquarters institution AKU Karachi, and with its nominated agents for the purpose of completing this recruitment exercise. AKU-ISMC does not communicate with candidates unless they are to be short-listed for interview.