Islam and the challenge of modernity: critical issues in shari’a law (U04199)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : DIV-3-ICM

This course seeks to study issues of compatability between shari?a and modern ideas (such as democracy, human rights, and pluralism) in a theoretically informed and historically contextualized fashion. The course thus seeks to assess the prospects of a peaceful and mutually enriching co-existence of Muslims and Westerners, both with regard to the situation of Muslims living in the West and to the Muslim-Western encounter on the international stage.

? Keywords : shari'a, Muslim-Western encounter

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Religion 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and at least one course in Islam (eg Islam 1, Islamic Philosophy and Theology).

? Costs : Course reader approx £10

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Religious Studies, (School of Divinity, Schedule B)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
15/01/2009	14:00	15:50	Martin Hall, New College	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be equipped to engage in a critical dialogue about the relevance and applicability of shari?a in the modern world. They will have gained an understanding of the historical conditions that gave rise to the perceived opposition between shari?a and modernity. In addition, they will have learned to master basic categories of legal thinking in the Islamic tradition, which will enable them to participate in an informed conversation about the challenges faced by shari?a-minded Muslims living in the West and beyond.