Kommentar |
This course is an introduction to Islamic law and jurisprudence. Students will learn the main outlines of the history of Islamic law, its major sources, key concepts, schools, and selected areas of legal doctrine. The first part of the semester is dedicated to classical Islamic jurisprudence, focusing on the ways in which jurists used the Qurʾan, the Sunna (the example of the Prophet), and reason to articulate a coherent legal system. The second part of the course concentrates on a series of case studies on specific topics such as family law, gender relations, and jihad. The course ends by discussing the legal implications of Muslims living as minorities in non-Muslim-majority countries and the effects of modernity on the foundations of Islamic jurisprudence. The readings are a mix of primary and secondary sources; all are in English. No previous background in Arabic or Islamic studies is required for this course. |