Society and Sharia in the Middle East

The course aims to provide students with a basic understanding of Islamic law as it has developed and evolved. Complementing previous training activities, the course introduces, from a primarily historical and socio-political perspective, the process of Islamic law's reception in the legislation of various Middle Eastern countries and the question of its application, with particular attention to the debate on the relationship between divine authority and popular sovereignty, family law, and the status of women. The ultimate goal is to provide, through the analysis of primary sources and the comparison of different doctrinal orientations and case studies, the conceptual, terminological, and critical analysis tools necessary to understand the socio-political and legal contexts of the Middle East, and thus also the expectations and difficulties of integrating immigrant communities in Italy.

Upon completion of the course, students will be familiar with the key elements of Islamic law, with particular attention to family law, and will be able to understand, from a historical perspective, the socio-political factors that have influenced the reception of Islamic law in contemporary Middle Eastern codes and constitutions and its interpretation. Through a combination of lectures, expert presentations, and case study presentations, students will acquire critical thinking and judgment skills, as well as presentation skills that will prove useful in a variety of career fields.