<p> Contemporary Approaches to Islamic Law</p><p>Spring 2013 Syllabus</p><p>Meeting Time: Mondays </p><p>Place: TBA </p><p>Adjunct Associate Professors: Khalil Abdur-Rashid & Khalid Latif</p><p>Office Hours: By Appointment (email: [email protected] & [email protected]) </p><p>Course Description</p><p>In this course we will survey contemporary issues in Islamic law and explore the degree of continuity and change as a result of modernity. Students will become familiar with major topics in Islamic law, specifically the content of Sunni jurisprudence, as it relates specifically to individual, familial, and communal issues.</p><p>Requirements</p><p>(1.) Students will be expected to complete the assigned readings before each class session and submit Weekly Posting to the readings. The responses should reflect the students’ views on the reading and contain either questions or comments on the reading. They should not summarize the reading but should be a conversation with the reading. The students may incorporate current events from the news or local issues into the posting. The postings should be no more than one- page and should be emailed to both professors by Sunday night at mid-night. (25%)</p><p>(2.) Students will be required to make an In-class Presentation of at least one of the assigned readings where they will discuss and identify the main points of the argument and critically analyze the reading. The presentation is to be done individually and should be no more than 15 minutes. The student making the in-class presentation for a given week is not responsible for submitting a posting for that week. The presentation must also pose two questions for discussion and reflection. (25%)</p><p>(3.) 4 - credit students are responsible for a final paper. The paper may explore a topic utilizing the themes and content learned in class or may analyze a new topic. More information on the paper will be provided as the semester progresses. Paper topics must be approved by the professors by April 1. The paper is due the last day of class. (50%) 2-Credit Students</p><p>Students taking the course for 2-credits are responsible for submitting weekly posts and giving one in-class presentation, along with attending all sessions. </p><p>Attendance </p><p>Attendance is mandatory for all students except in documented cases of illness or family emergency. Students who have more than one unexcused absence or who are consistently late to class will receive a drop in their grade. Students are expected to notify the professor of any absence in advance as early as possible. </p><p>Course Topics</p><p>Introduction (January 28)</p><p> Modernity & Islamic Law </p><p>Topic One: Individual Life & Islamic Law (Feb. 4, 11, 18, & 25)</p><p> Human Rights</p><p> Abortion</p><p> Euthanasia</p><p> Domestic Violence</p><p>Topic Two: The Family & Islamic Law (March 4, 11, 18 & 25)</p><p> Marriage and Divorce</p><p> Birth Control and Sexuality</p><p> Childhood and Children in Islam</p><p> Breastfeeding and the Constructing of Families</p><p>Topic Three: Social Change & Islamic Law (April 1, 8, 15 & 22)</p><p> Bio-medical ethics</p><p> Coffee Drin king</p><p> Smoking</p><p> War and Jihad Topic Four: Governmental Change & Islamic Law (April 29)</p><p> The Islamic State: An Oxymoron? </p><p>May 6 – Final Papers Due</p>