Universität Wien

030655 VO Introduction to Islamic Law (2021W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 3 - Rechtswissenschaften
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Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 19.10. 13:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Tuesday 19.10. 18:15 - 20:15 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Tuesday 09.11. 13:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Tuesday 16.11. 13:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Tuesday 23.11. 13:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Tuesday 07.12. 13:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Tuesday 14.12. 13:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Tuesday 18.01. 13:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Friday 21.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course provides an accessible and systematic introduction to the study of Islamic law. Reflecting its traditional strengths in private law, this course focuses on Islamic family, commercial and contract law, treating Islamic public law only in passing (those interested in constitutional law should consider „Comparative Constitutional Law of the Middle East"). These also happen to be those areas most relevant to legal practitioners, as courts in Western legal systems often have to resolve private law matters with reference to Islamic legal principles.

This course examines the nature and development of Islamic law from three distinct but related angles:

• as dogma centred around the interpretation of authoritative texts;
• as practice centred around the observation of the way its norms are actually observed by human beings; and
• as contingency centred around the recognition of the diverse historical, social and cultural forms it can take.

Assessment and permitted materials

The grade for this course consists of one written, 48 hours take-home, open-book book exam of maximum 2000 words excluding footnotes (70%) and class participation (30%). The exam is aimed to motivate a renewed engagement with the course material and to cement the retention of the material. Special emphasis will be given to the mastery of comparative approaches.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

There are no linguistic or disciplinary prerequisites, all material is in English, necessary terms will be explained in class and a glossary provided.

Examination topics

Formal basis for the exam is the literature provided in the syllabus. In addition, it is highly advantageous to be familiar with the content of the companion online course.

The syllabus clearly distinguishes between mandatory and voluntary additional readings; only the former are strictly necessary to pass this course (and do so well).

Reading list

Material for this course is electronically available:

https://ucloud.univie.ac.at/index.php/s/CDxtgqv6DX0JlcW

In addition, the following textbooks are useful:

Hallaq, Wael B. An Introduction to Islamic Law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Coulson, Noel J. A History of Islamic Law. The Hague: Aldine De Gruyter, 2011.
Hallaq, Wael B. The Origins and Evolution of Islamic Law. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2005.
Menski, Werner, and David Pearl. Muslim Family Law. London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1998.
Saleem, Mohammad Yusuf. Islamic Commercial Law. London: John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
Chibli Mallat. “Commercial Law in the Middle East: Between Classical Transactions and Modern Business.” American Journal of Comparative Law (2000).

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Th 05.05.2022 10:08