A Survey of Islamic Law: Interpretation, Evolution, and Contemporary Topics

HDS 3212 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course is a survey of the sources and development of Islamic law through an exploration and analysis of the essential topics of what is known as the Sharia. The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of Islamic law along with its major topics as a product of the lived historical and contemporary experience of Muslims and Muslim communities broadly speaking. This course is vital for professionals and practitioners working in both clergy and non-clergy capacities who may encounter members of the Muslim community. This course is divided into three parts:

The first part of the course provides an overview of the sources of Islamic law and will explore various interpretative methodologies of Islamic scriptural sources. This section provides the fundamental concepts necessary to understand Muslim scriptures and interpretative tools for understanding Muslim community religious, spiritual and ethical life.

The second part of the course will explore transformations in Islamic law through four select topics that developed in response to significant changes in Muslim society: charity and philanthropy; women’s spaces; the rise of leisure spaces in Muslim society; and transformation of Islamic law to codified state laws.

The final part of the course covers important contemporary topics in Islamic law that inform present Muslim public life and international affairs with Muslims.