Islamic Law and Politics in Asia

Subject 730-726 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.
Prerequisites: N.A.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Professor Tim Lindsey
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Have an understanding of the history and development of Islamic law and jurisprudence in East Asia
  • Have an understanding of the role of Islam in law and politics in East Asia with a focus on Indonesia and Malaysia and, to a lesser extent, the Philippines and Thailand
  • Understand the tensions between Islamic scholarship, law and religious belief on the one hand and, on the other, the notion of a secular nation state.

Syllabus:

Islam is the religion of about 230 million people in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Southern Philippines, Australias immediate neighbourhood. Islam does not recognise a distinction between religion and law because both are derived from Gods revealed message, written in Arabic in seventh-century Arabia. The result is an inevitable tension between Islamic belief and the modern (secular) nation state that lies at the heart of the politics of Islamic law in South East Asia. This subject examines current issues in Islam in Australias region.

Principal topics will include:

  • How the original Arabic-derived legal thought has been adapted in its new homelands, including the contemporary application of Islam to modern technology and cultures, focusing on Indonesia and Malaysia
  • The essential positions of Islamic law as an alternative authority to the contemporary state
  • Current political and religious controversies arising in South East Asia. These will be selected from a range that may include:
    • Islamic legal codes
    • Islamic criminal punishment
    • Interest-free banking
    • The meaning of jihad
    • Islamic approaches to women
    • Islam and medical science
    • Zakat Education and the role of Madrasa and Pesantren
    • The introduction of revivalist Islamic codes in Indonesia, especially the Aceh Qanun
    • Islamic radicalism and terrorist groups in South East Asia, including Darul Islam, Jemaah Islamiyah, Al Qaeda.
Assessment:
  • Take-home examination (100%) (11-14 July)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (14 August) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-726Islamic Law and Politics in AsiaMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Have an understanding of the history and development of Islamic law and jurisprudence in East Asia
  • Have an understanding of the role of Islam in law and politics in East Asia with a focus on Indonesia and Malaysia and, to a lesser extent, the Philippines and Thailand
  • Understand the tensions between Islamic scholarship, law and religious belief on the one hand and, on the other, the notion of a secular nation state.

Syllabus:

Islam is the religion of about 230 million people in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Southern Philippines, Australias immediate neighbourhood. Islam does not recognise a distinction between religion and law because both are derived from Gods revealed message, written in Arabic in seventh-century Arabia. The result is an inevitable tension between Islamic belief and the modern (secular) nation state that lies at the heart of the politics of Islamic law in South East Asia. This subject examines current issues in Islam in Australias region.

Principal topics will include:

  • How the original Arabic-derived legal thought has been adapted in its new homelands, including the contemporary application of Islam to modern technology and cultures, focusing on Indonesia and Malaysia
  • The essential positions of Islamic law as an alternative authority to the contemporary state
  • Current political and religious controversies arising in South East Asia. These will be selected from a range that may include:
    • Islamic legal codes
    • Islamic criminal punishment
    • Interest-free banking
    • The meaning of jihad
    • Islamic approaches to women
    • Islam and medical science
    • Zakat Education and the role of Madrasa and Pesantren
    • The introduction of revivalist Islamic codes in Indonesia, especially the Aceh Qanun
    • Islamic radicalism and terrorist groups in South East Asia, including Darul Islam, Jemaah Islamiyah, Al Qaeda.
  • Take-home examination (100%) (11-14 July)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (14 August) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
N.A.N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Professor Tim LindseyLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730726P12.500Semester 1NLawLaw730-726

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