Islam and Human Rights

Subject 730-846 (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 2, - 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

Ms Qudsia Mirza
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Have an understanding of the Islamic foundations of human rights
  • Comprehend the cultural relativist arguments in the Islamic context
  • Have a critical engagement with key contemporary Islamic legal issues
  • Examine specific human rights doctrines in Islam
  • Recognise various methodologies and interpretative strategies in determining Islamic human rights
  • Critically examine the application of international human rights standards in the context of Islamic societies
  • Distinguish between political positions and sacred sources relating to Islamic human rights.

Syllabus:

This subject will provide an insight into contemporary debates relating to Islamic concepts of human rights and their relationship with international human rights law. It will examine key areas of divergence between Islam and Western human rights thought and practice using Islamic textual sources and classical and current interpretative strategies. Selected contemporary Islamic legal issues and debates will be analysed, within the contexts of postcolonialism and Orientalist critiques. A comprehensive analysis of the sources and main methodologies of Islamic law (syariah) will be provided.

Some of the key issues covered will be:

  • Contemporary Islam and the West
  • Issues of human rights and democracy in Islam
  • Cultural relativism and Islamic human rights
  • Law and Islamic feminism
  • Diasporic Muslim communities in the non-Muslim world.
Assessment:
  • Take-home examination (100%) (3-6 October)
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: 730-846Islam and Human RightsMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Have an understanding of the Islamic foundations of human rights
  • Comprehend the cultural relativist arguments in the Islamic context
  • Have a critical engagement with key contemporary Islamic legal issues
  • Examine specific human rights doctrines in Islam
  • Recognise various methodologies and interpretative strategies in determining Islamic human rights
  • Critically examine the application of international human rights standards in the context of Islamic societies
  • Distinguish between political positions and sacred sources relating to Islamic human rights.

Syllabus:

This subject will provide an insight into contemporary debates relating to Islamic concepts of human rights and their relationship with international human rights law. It will examine key areas of divergence between Islam and Western human rights thought and practice using Islamic textual sources and classical and current interpretative strategies. Selected contemporary Islamic legal issues and debates will be analysed, within the contexts of postcolonialism and Orientalist critiques. A comprehensive analysis of the sources and main methodologies of Islamic law (syariah) will be provided.

Some of the key issues covered will be:

  • Contemporary Islam and the West
  • Issues of human rights and democracy in Islam
  • Cultural relativism and Islamic human rights
  • Law and Islamic feminism
  • Diasporic Muslim communities in the non-Muslim world.
  • Take-home examination (100%) (3-6 October)
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.Ms Qudsia MirzaLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730846P12.500Semester 2NLawLaw730-846

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