Modernisasi Kurikulum Ma'had Aly melalui Pembelajaran Kitab Kuning (Turāts) untuk Pengembangan Kompetensi Akademik dan Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Mahasantri

Abstract

This study analyzes the modernization of the Ma'had Aly curriculum through the transformation of kitab kuning (classical Islamic texts) learning to strengthen the academic and scholarly competencies of mahasantri (pesantren students). The main issue is the demand to preserve the turāts (classical Islamic scholarly tradition) while developing standards of contemporary higher education. A qualitative case study approach was employed, with data collected from observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, analyzed using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña model. The results show that modernization is carried out through the integration of kitab kuning with modern academic approaches, strengthening research methodology, scientific literacy, and participatory learning. This transformation enhances mastery of the classical Islamic treasury as well as critical thinking, research, scientific writing, and academic communication skills. Kitab kuning proves to be a strategic instrument for developing academic competencies without losing the values of pesantren tradition. The novelty of the research lies in the construction of a curriculum modernization model that places the transformation of turāts learning at the center of strengthening mahasantri competencies. The findings contribute theoretically to the study of pesantren higher education and practically to the development of a Ma'had Aly curriculum that is adaptive.