Islamic Law in a Changing World

Subject 110-252 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 x 45 min lectures (online) and 1 hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Contact

Prof Abdullah Saeed

a.saeed@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject/unit introduces students to Islamic legal theory, its sources and principles, and how they are applied by different schools and scholars to derive religious verdicts. Students will study efforts to ‘streamline’ Islamic law through a number of Sunni and Shia schools, various conceptions of shari’ah, and modern attempts at law reform through scholarship and ijtihad (independent judgment). Upon completion, students should be able to explain developments in Islamic legal thought within their socio-historical contexts, and identify key debates among Muslim scholars. Using current case studies, students will also study Islamic law issues affecting Muslims today, especially Muslim minorities.
Objectives:
  • have an introductory understanding of Islamic legal theory, its development, its sources and principles, and how they are applied by different schools and scholars to derive religious verdicts
  • understand efforts to ‘streamline’ Islamic law through a number of Sunni and Shia schools, various conceptions of shari’ah, and modern attempts at law reform through scholarship and ijtihad (independent judgment)
  • be able to explain developments in Islamic legal thought within their socio-historical contexts, and identify key debates among Muslim scholars
  • be able to apply the theory studied to Islamic law related issues affecting Muslims today, especially Muslim minorities
Assessment: Assessment totalling 4000 words (100%)
Prescribed Texts: Materials prepared by the Centre
Recommended Texts: Wael B Hallaq, A History of Islamic Legal Theories: An Introduction to Sunni Usul al-Fiqh, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997 Wael B Hallaq, Authority, Continuity and Change in Islamic Law, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001 Wael B Hallaq, The Formation of Islamic Law, Aldershot: Ashgate, 2004 Wael B Hallaq, The Origins and Evolution of Islamic Law, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005,
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be familiar with research methods; thinking in theoretical and analytical terms;
  • communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, confidence in self-expression;
  • able to understand social, political, historical and cultural contexts, and demonstrate and international awareness and openness to the world.
Notes: This subject will be taught online by the University of Melbourne. It is offered to students of University of Melbourne, University of Western Sydney and Griffith University. Local tutorial support will be available at all three universities. Available as a breadth subject
Related Course(s): Diploma in Arts (Islamic Studies)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies Major

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