Characteristics of Learners, Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies in Islamic Studies to Produce Graduates with Personal Competencies in the 21st Century: A Case Study of the Islamic Studies Program, Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus.

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this research were 1) to analyze characteristics of Islamic Studies learner in higher education in the 21st century and curriculum learning outcomes, 2) to analyze the structure and content of Islamic Studies curriculum in higher education in the 21st century and 3) to analyze Islamic studies teaching methods to conduct competent graduates of the 21st century.

Methodology: This research is a qualitative study that collects data from two main groups of participants: 1) Participants providing information for the analysis of the characteristics of Islamic Studies graduates in the 21st century, totaling 34 individuals. This group includes graduate users, faculty members of the program, alumni, current students, support staff, and future learners 2) Participants providing information for the analysis of Islamic Studies contents and teaching strategies, totaling 7 individuals. This group includes the vice dean of the Faculty of Islamic Sciences, faculty members of the Islamic Studies and Islamic law program, and support staffs. The researcher used a specific targeted selection method to choose the main data providers and collected data through interviews, group discussions, and operational meetings. Content analysis was conducted, and the credibility of the findings was verified using triangulation.

Research Findings: The study found that there are 4 aspects of expected Islamic Studies learner characteristics: 1) being a learning person; have in-depth knowledge of Islam and contemporary Islamic knowledge, 2) being able to diagnose and apply Islamic Studies and Islamic Law knowledge to create social innovation integrated with Islam, 3) being able to communicate in foreign languages, literate information and digital technology, 4) having leadership and public mind. The curriculum structure of the Islamic Studies major is an integration between Islamic Studies and general academic subject contents, divided into 3 groups of courses: the general education courses, the specialization courses, and the free elective courses. The general education courses focus on building learners with 21st century competencies that cover sustainable development. The specialization courses aim for the students to have five key attributes: 1) holistic understanding of Islam, 2) being a justly balanced or moderate Muslim (Wasatiyah), 3) appreciating and caring for society, 4) being entrepreneurs, and 5) having foreign language communication skills. The courses are organized to meet the characteristics of graduates in line with the context of the area and the national policies. Some of specialization courses are organized as modules to be able to integrate more into the courses. 4 types of blended teaching management are used namely: 1) critical based learning, 2) problem-based learning, 3) real situation-based learning, and 4) work integrated based learning.

Contribution: Thai higher education institutions can apply this research findings to develop a bachelor's degree program in Islamic Studies that integrates Islamic Studies content with academic knowledge to responds to the context of the area and the national policy in order to conduct graduates who have competence of the 21st century, in-depth knowledge of Islam, able to work and live in a multicultural society both in the Thai social context and the world society with happiness and quality.