Admission requirements
Background in law
Sufficient command of English (IELTS 6.5 or higher)
Description
The position and role of sharia has had for many centuries a strong impact on law and governance in North Africa and the Middle East. As most countries in this region gained independence during the 20th century, their new political elites enacted constitutions and national laws, and established national systems of law and governance. Some countries such as Turkey opted for a secular approach. Others, like Saudi Arabia, chose to pursue the path of classical sharia as the foundation of their national law. Most countries opted initially for an intermediate solution. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran, in several countries a new trend emerged, i.e. Islamising national law. This has raised both domestic and international concerns about the repercussions for women, minorities, freedom of religion, and human treatment of criminals. Debates have raged about whether Islam can go together with democracy and human rights. Since the 2011 Arab Spring, these questions have acquired new dimensions.
This course addresses law and governance in Egypt, Libya and Morocco, and draws comparisons with other countries in the region. At the time of writing massive assistance programs are about to be launched to “strengthen law and governance in the MENA region”. How successful can these efforts be? This course records actual processes of change and reform, whether diverging from or converging with rule of law and human rights. It addresses issues of constitutional law, family law, and criminal law, and demonstrates how domestic legal institutions have decided about such issues. In doing so it pays attention to how politicians, legal practitioners, and religious scholars have influenced the complex interrelation between sharia and national law and governance.
Course objectives
Objectives of the course:
- The course has the following objectives:
Acquiring of basic knowledge of the development and functioning of law and legal institutions in the Muslim world, in particular in view of the relationship between sharia (Islamic law) and national law in selected countries. Enhancing critical understanding of academic literature and public debates (English language material) on this subject. Enlarging academic skills of reading academic material in English, analyzing, participating in group discussions, learning to study a new legal system (for law students) or new field of study, i.e. law and religion (for students from humanities or social sciences).
Achievement levels:
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
After completing the course students will have:
Knowledge and critical understanding of the development and functioning of law and legal institutions in the Muslim world, in particular of the relation between sharia and national law ;
The ability to independently use English language material to critically evaluate the abovementioned subject; and to present their findings in short oral and written presentations.
Timetable
See: http://www.leidenuniv.nl/rechten/osi/wg/ .
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Number of (2 hour) lectures: 5
Names of lecturers: Prof. Buskens, Prof. Otto and guest lecturers
Required preparation by students: reading texts for the lecture
Seminars
Number of (2 hour) seminars: 5
Names of instructors: Prof. Buskens, Prof. Otto and guest lecturers
Required preparation by students: reading texts for the seminar, prepare a group presentation advance of the lectures
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
- Written exam.
Submission procedures
None.
Areas to be tested within the exam
Selected chapters from the book manuscript (see Course Materials), selected articles in the reader, subject matter taught in the lectures, the seminars, and all other instructions which form part of the course.
Blackboard
More information on this course is offered in Blackboard.
Course Materials
Obligatory course materials
Literature:
- Jan Michiel Otto (ed.), Sharia Incorporated. A Comparative Overview of the Legal Systems of Twelve Muslim Countries in Past and Present, Leiden: Leiden University Press, 2010
Course information guide:
- None.
Reader:
- Reader, available at Onderwijsmaterialen (KOG, room A.045)
Recommended course materials:
- None.
Registration
Students have to register for courses and exams through uSis.
Contact details
Coordinator: Prof. dr. L.P.H.M. Buskens
Work address: Matthias de Vrieshof 4, Room 111B
Contact information: Via secretariat Ms K. van Weeren (see below)
Telephone number: +31 (0)71 5272013
E-mail: l.p.h.m.buskens@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Departement/division
Departement: Metajuridica / Jurisprudence
Division: Van Vollenhoven Instituut
Room number secretariat: KOG, room B3.13, Ms K. van Weeren
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00-12:30 to 13:30-16:00
Telephone number secretariat: +31 (0)71 5277769
E-mail: vollenhoven@law.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Belangstellenden die deze cursus in het kader van Contractonderwijs willen volgen (met tentamen), vinden hier meer informatie over kosten, inschrijving, voorwaarden etc.