Society and Sharia in the Middle East
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with a basic knowledge of the origins, sources and characteristics of Islamic law, of the process of codification and of the application of Islamic law in selected Middle Eastern countries. Particular attention will be given to the debates on the relation between human and divine sovereignty, to family law and to women's status. The aim is to provide students, also through the analysis of primary sources and by comparing doctrinal positions and case studies, the conceptual, terminological and analytical tools to understand the interplay of historical, socio-political and legal developments in the Middle east, as well as the expectations and difficulties of integration experienced by immigrants from the Middle East.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will be acquainted with the main characteristics of Islamic law , particularly those concerning matters of personal status, and will understand the socio-political factors that influenced the reception of Islamic law in Middle Eastern national codes and Constitutions as well as its interpretation and enforcement. Through a combination of lectures, seminars by external experts and presentations of specific case studies, students will acquire analytical and communication skills that will prove useful in different professional fields,
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The first part of the course will analyze through historical leans the origins, sources and characteristics of Islamic law, and its codification and enforcement in the contemporary Middle East, with particular attention to family law and women's status. In the second part some case studies (Saudi Arabia , Morocco, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran) will illustrate the interplay of political, cultural and social factors. The course will also address the debates on human rights and Islam, on the relationship between codified law and "living Islam, and on the relation between divine and human sovreignty, which have accompanied the introduction and amendment of Middle Eastern codes and Constitutions. In the final lectures students will be asked to analyse some specific aspects of Muslim family law in contemporary Middle eastern countries.
Prerequisites for admission
While not compulsory, attending the course Storia e istituzioni dei paesi musulmani (to become: Storia e geopolitica del Medio oriente) is recommended.
Teaching methods
Teaching, etxernal experts, dicusssions in class, students' presentations
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
1. Lecture notes
2. V.M. Donini e D. Scolart, La shari'a e il mondo contemporaneo, Carocci, 2015, ch. 2 up to p. 136 (except pp. 114-122); ch. 3 up to p. 171; ch. 4; ch. 5 up to p. 248.
3. J. M. Otto, ed., Sharia incorporated, Leiden University Press, 2010 (online on Minerva), pp. 620-652.
4. Material for the presentation
Non attending students:
1. V.M. Donini e D. Scolart, La shari'a e il mondo contemporaneo, Carocci, 2015, ch. 2 (pp. 89-114; 122-136; 149-157); ch. 3 (pp. 159-171; 189-192); ch. 4; ch. 5 (pp. 211-248, 309-311)
2. J. M. Otto, ed., Sharia incorporated, Leiden University Press, 2010 (online su Minerva), pp. 620-652.
1. Lecture notes
2. V.M. Donini e D. Scolart, La shari'a e il mondo contemporaneo, Carocci, 2015, ch. 2 up to p. 136 (except pp. 114-122); ch. 3 up to p. 171; ch. 4; ch. 5 up to p. 248.
3. J. M. Otto, ed., Sharia incorporated, Leiden University Press, 2010 (online on Minerva), pp. 620-652.
4. Material for the presentation
Non attending students:
1. V.M. Donini e D. Scolart, La shari'a e il mondo contemporaneo, Carocci, 2015, ch. 2 (pp. 89-114; 122-136; 149-157); ch. 3 (pp. 159-171; 189-192); ch. 4; ch. 5 (pp. 211-248, 309-311)
2. J. M. Otto, ed., Sharia incorporated, Leiden University Press, 2010 (online su Minerva), pp. 620-652.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students:
Written exam (two questions) and a presentation in class of a case study
Non attending students:
Written exam (three questions)
Written exam (two questions) and a presentation in class of a case study
Non attending students:
Written exam (three questions)
SPS/14 - ASIAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Giunchi Elisa Ada
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Giunchi Elisa AdaEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday 4 PM-7 PM
MICROSOFT TEAMS