Syllabus

The syllabus for this module is based on selected readings from the second volume of Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr’s Al-Halaqat series. This volume discusses many of the topics mentioned in the first volume (covered in the Principles of Jurisprudence 1 and 2 modules); however this time, the author explores the topics in far greater detail and depth and evaluates differing jurisprudential perspectives. This approach of studying a subject more than once but with increasing depth each time is a feature of the Hawza tradition of learning, and is a style that al-Sadr has adopted in Al-Halaqat.

1. Legal Rulings and their Divisions
2.  Substantiating Arguments (al-’Adillāt al-Muḥrizah)
   o Religious Evidence (al-Dalīl al-Shar‘ī)
    Verbal Religious Evidence (al-Dalīl al-Shar‘ī al-Lafẓī)
    Non-Verbal Religious Evidence (al-Dalīl al-Shar‘ī Ghayr al-Lafẓī)
   o Rational Evidence (al-Dalīl al-‘Aqlī)
3.  Procedural Principles (al-Uṣūl al-‘Amalīyyah)
4.  Contradiction Between Evidences (Ta‘arruḍ al-’Adillah)

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy

Assessment Mode

Graded assessment is by presentation and written examination. The presentation will be for 15 minutes, requiring students to compare and evaluate different opinions of jurists on a particular area of Principles of Jurisprudence and to present their research in a concise and effective manner that demonstrates a critical understanding of the issues. The 2 hour written examination will take place at the end of the semester.

Assessment Weighting
Presentation: 40 %
Written examination: 60 %
Each assessment component must be passed in order to pass the module.

Learning materials

Core readings
Al-Sadr, M.B. (2007). Durus fi ‘Ilm al-Usul (al-Halaqat al-Thaniyah). Qum: Markaz al-Abhath wa al-Dirasat al-Takhassusiyyah li al-Shahid al-Sadr.