History of Law in Islamic Society
History · 3 hrs Lecture/Seminar
Offered: Fall Or Winter
No prerequisites listed, you can take this course without prior coursework.
Where HIST-3170 counts
Counts toward 2 more as one option among several, not as a course you must take:
Read from the departments' own calendar pages, where 50 of 208 programs are only partly machine-readable, so treat these as a minimum rather than the full list. Confirm with an academic advisor.
Description
This lecture/seminar course examines the formation of legal structures and practices in Islamic societies from the seventh century to the present. It explores the application and adaptation of general legal principles derived from the Quran, Hadith and Sunna in specific and changing historical contexts. Presenting an overview of the development of law in Islamic society it offers historical perspectives on such issues as the role of religious texts and the limits of interpretation in Islamic law, changes in the legal status of the family, gender relations and women, crime and punishment, modernization, and European influences.
From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.