Fall 2024 Middle East GR6232 section 001

Reading Politics & Law in Classical Arab

ISLAMIC LAW THROUGH TEXTS

Call Number 13565
Day & Time
Location
W 4:10pm-6:00pm
207 Knox Hall
Points 4
Grading Mode Standard
Approvals Required None
Instructor Wael Hallaq
Type SEMINAR
Method of Instruction In-Person
Course Description

This seminar is conducted mainly in Arabic sources. The purpose is to explore legal and political theory and (when possible) practices of Islamic cultures prior to the 19th century with a view to mapping political structures and constitutional organization in Islamic history, and their relationship to the Shari`a. Among the themes of interest are: structure and rationalization of theories of governance; ethics of rule; use of history as authorizing discourse in the culture of political administration; the nature of “branches of power” and separation thereof; siyasa shar`iyya in “law” and “politics” (or the relationship between “law” and “politics”); and the very meaning of politics and sovereignty in Islam; the possibility of a state of exception; enemy-friend distinction; and related themes. Proficiency in Arabic is required. 

Web Site Vergil
Department Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies
Enrollment 12 students (15 max) as of 9:05PM Thursday, December 5, 2024
Subject Middle East
Number GR6232
Section 001
Division Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Section key 20243MDES6232G001