ISL414 Islamic Law and Practice in the Contemporary World (8)

This subject introduces students to Islamic law and the related issues in the contemporary world. It covers the development of principles, methods, and schools of law, and discusses Islamic law in the modern period. The implementation of Islamic law in the contemporary context, reform, renewal and change in Islamic law are also addressed. The related challenges in the modern period and the debates on re-interpretation of Islamic law will be explored, together with the accommodation of Islamic law in Muslim societies, and reflections of these issues for Muslim minorities in the west.

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
Online
United Theological College

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: ISL414. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the development of Islamic law, its sources and classical schools
  • be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the application of Islamic law in a contemporary context
  • be able to discuss critically the reform of Islamic law in the modern period
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of Islamic law on minorities living in the Muslim world
  • be able to discuss critically the implication of the adoption of Islamic law by Muslim minorities living in the West
  • be able to analyse critically the relationship between Islamic law and secular law in the Australian context
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the various components of Islamic Law including family and criminal laws
  • be able to demonstrate independent research, organisation, written and oral communication skills

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Shari'a and fiqh: Development, emergence, its sources, schools of law
  • Islamic law in the modern period, implementation of Islamic law in the contemporary context
  • Reform, renewal and change in Islamic law
  • Challenges for Islamic law in the modern period
  • The significance of ijtihad (legal deduction) in the modern context
  • Reconciliation of Islamic laws with a rapidly changing world
  • Islamic family law
  • Human rights and the shari'a
  • Muslims as citizens of non-Islamic societies, in particular looking at the Australian context
  • Non-Muslims as citizens in Islamic societies
  • Shariğa and state in the modern Muslim world
  • Islamic criminal law in practice
  • Women, Islamic law and gender equality

Residential School

This subject contains a 2 day Optional Residential School.

The purpose of the residential school is to provide an opportunity for exploration of the coursework covered and assessment of student learning. In addition to content review, this part of the course aims to facilitate an interactive session between the teaching academics, students and sections of the Islamic community.

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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