Scholarship details
The University of Leicester opens an exclusive Ph.D. scholarship for the international and local students in the History Department in Clerics and Domestic Slavery in Early Islamic Conceptions in the Past. As one of the Ph.D. courses in the United Kingdom, the project is to encourage outstanding students to pursue their higher education with the help of the scholarship awards with an annual stipend and a full tuition fee waiver for up to three years.
Project Overview
The Ph.D. research project will examine and compares depictions of domestic slaves in early Islamic texts (written in the 3rd century AD / 9th century AD) that interpret the Islamic past.
In the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain, Muslims quickly became the ruling elite of societies that inherited social practices from the Roman Empire. In this Roman world, people were enslaved at home to do more of the housework required for daily household chores.
Domestic slaves, mostly women, and children, also performed so-called “excessive” or “luxurious” duties, which ultimately served to demonstrate and affirm the status of free family members. This aspect of slavery often involves the use of enslaved people for sexual purposes, creating strong dynamics in the home that affect society in general. As the Roman order shifted to the early Middle Ages, the household became void to rearrange or preserve broader social hierarchies and the wide group identities. As Islam established itself in this region, early Muslim authorities adopted, modified, opposed, supported, shaped, and criticized existing social practices, including those related to people being enslaved at home.
Scholars often struggle to interpret early Islamic texts in a way that fits this dynamic process of change. They often saw Arab history as a mine containing raw ore from the past that only needed to be mined to ensure the historical reconstruction of early Islamic societies. But without placing these texts and their authors in the context of the larger world of late antiquity and the early Middle Ages, a distorted picture of the social practices of early Islamic communities is obtained. Likewise, the process of commemorating the past, with its controversies and different interpretations, can be lost.
The students will study and compare images of authors such as al-Tabari, al-Yaqubi, and ibn Hisham/ibn Ishaq, focusing on specific issues of concern such as the status of Maria al-Kibtiya, proper public dress for enslaved women, questions based on origin and legitimacy, interpretation of verses from the holy book about Abraham and the Black Stone and others. You’ll share your findings with other researchers as the team works together to reconstruct the motives and justifications behind the past sexual exploitation and the domestic slaves, to find out how domestic experiences influence the content of our sources, and to find out how common Roman heritage influences more. final practices and explain the similarities and differences found in Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean.
Admitted students will be mentored and supervised by a PI and will be supported by the research team to help them achieve success and make a meaningful contribution to the success of their peers. The completion of your doctoral degree and your professional success are the main outcomes of this project.
Scholarship Provider: University of Leicester
About the Provider
Founded in 1957, the University of Leicester is recognized worldwide for its international achievements, research, and its quality of world-changing, inspiring teaching. The university has first-class buildings and a faculty with a wealth of experience. In addition, there is a dynamic and rewarding learning environment that prepares the students to fulfill their future.
Both local and international students admitted to the university will be prepared for a vibrant future with a high-quality learning and training environment. The university has its own libraries, studios, laboratories, computer centers, and research buildings so the students can have all they need on one campus.
Scholarship Summary
- Academic Year: 2022-2023
- Applicant’s Nationality: Local and International
- Degree Level: PhD
- Field: Department of History
- Scholarship Awards: £16,062 stipend tuition fee waiver
- Number of Awards: NA
- Duration: Three years
- Scholarship Country: United Kingdom
- Renewable: Yes
- Offered Annually: Yes
Scholarship Eligibility
Before proceeding with the application process, interested students must meet the eligibility of the scholarship.
- All nationalities are welcome to apply for the scholarship.
- United Kingdom Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2:1 at least in a relevant area or subject or an international equivalent.
- The History Department at the University of Leicester requires that the students must hold a Master’s degree with good academic merit and a better dissertation on the postgraduate degree.
- A professional experience will be taken into consideration if the academic merit has not been achieved.
Application Process
To continue with the application process, eligible students must take the admission process in the Ph.D. degree program at the University of Leicester, after the admission process, the students can continue on their application for the scholarship.
Required Documents
As part of the application process, the students are required to submit the following documents to support their admission and application qualification and evaluation.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Certificates of Degree
- Official transcript of records
- Personal Statements
- Contact details of their two academic references must be able to upload to their reference letter if already obtained.
- The project title must be the name of the professor/supervisor and the project reference ID.
Scholarship Benefits
The University of Leicester will be providing the following awards to successful students. The scholarship awards will be awarded for up to three years.
- Tuition fee waiver
- £16,062 annual stipend at UK rates
- The international applicant will receive different awards for the stipend as calculated to the UK and international rates.
Scholarship Deadline
The deadline to complete and submit the application is until June 17, 2022. The interview will be held on July 1, 2022. All candidates must be able to attend the interview personally or through an online assessment to evaluate the successful beneficiary of the scholarship award.
