An Integrated Curriculum at an Islamic University: Perceptions of Students and Lecturers

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to identify theperceptions of students and lecturers at SyarifHidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta (UINJakarta) regarding the concept of an integratedcurriculum implemented at the university,differences in perceptions between the two groups,and problems encountered during the curriculum’simplementation.Methods: A descriptive quantitative research study was conducted with 670 students and 90lecturers from 11 faculties at UIN Jakarta. The student samples consisted of 270 men and 400women, while lecturer samples consisted of 44 men and 46 women. Data were collected viainterviews and a perceptual questionnaire consisting of 54 items scored on a 4-point Likertscale. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, a t test, and confirmatory factor analysis.Findings: Although both students and lecturers had positive perceptions of the concept of theintegrated curriculum, the students’ perceptions were more favorable than the lecturers’.Problems encountered during the implementation of the integrated curriculum included theabsence of clear guidelines for implementing the integrated curriculum, the lack of lecturers’competencies to implement the integration in learning processes, the lack of specificnomenclature about the integration concept, and limited time allotted to learning Islamicstudies in the natural sciences program.Implications for Research and Practice: Few obstacles have hindered the successfulimplementation of the integrated curriculum throughout the faculties at UIN Jakarta. Thefindings have informed the development of a blueprint and clear guidelines for implementingan integrated curriculum that other Islamic institutions of higher education in Indonesia andother countries can use to deliver integrated studies.