Those with an interest in Islamic law and governance on the one hand as well as human rights laws on the other will find this module ideal as it critically assesses the compatibility of Islamic teaching and law with internationally accepted standards of human rights. This course will provide a theoretical and conceptual discourse to build a comparative study of human rights in Islamic Law and the secular communities, in particular the West. It also examines the practice of human rights in Muslim Counties based on new definitions of good governance and human security with regard to barriers, interpretations and other influential elements.

Syllabus

• The first part of this module seeks to examine and explores the following theoretical issues:
  • The Islamic approach (Monotheistic) to human rights according to different interpretations of Islam
  • The Western approach (Humanism) to human rights
  • Comparative studies of human rights between Islam and the West
  • Basic Human Rights such as: The Right to life, Individuals and Women’s rights, Human Dignity, The Right to a basic standard of life such as freedom and security, Children’s rights
• The second part of the module aims at focusing on human rights in practice considering political issues such Human security and good governance. Each session will address the contemporary issues of special importance. Students are expected to join the discussion sessions on agreed themes. The topics covered in the second part of the module include:
  • Politics and human rights,
  • Islamic States and citizen’s rights
  • Basic human rights; ethics and morality
  • Human rights at times of war and peace

Learning, Teaching, and Assessment Strategy

All learning materials are developed according to the SCATE format. Students are advised to study units available online followed by timetabled activities which are of crucial importance and require a serious attention. Students need to consult suggested reading materials which are not necessarily available online. At the same time, students are expected to contribute to Discussion Group as an integral part of their study. They would receive feedback regarding their activities and contribution by the module tutor. Extra reading and activities are provided for students who are interested to have a deeper and broader understanding of the issues of concern.

Formative Assessment
Formative assessment for this module will consist of written feedback from the lecturer, questioning and discussion through the online forums. One draft of the students’ final essay (coursework) may be handed in to the lecturer at the 12th learning week for formative assessment, in which the lecturer will give the student feedback on how to improve their research and quality of writing.

Summative Assessment
Students are required to submit 3 out of 5 Review Questions (RQ) and 3 out of 5 Activities (Act) as the weekly assignments for each module during the semester. All of these assignments as well as students’ final essays at the end of the semester will be commented and marked by tutors. Students can see those comments and marks in their drop box which are available in their D2L accounts. Finally, students are required to submit an Individual coursework -final essay (4000 words) on a relevant topic approved in advance by the module tutor.

Assessment Weighting
Activities: 30%
Review Questions & Discussion Group: 10%
Final Essay (Coursework): 60%
Students should get at least a pass mark for all three above components.

Core readings:

1. Ali, S. S. (2000) Gender and Human Rights in Islam and International Law. Equal before Allah, Unequal before Man? The Hague: Kluwer Law International
2. An-Naim, A. (ed.) (1992) Human Rights in Cross-Cultural Perspectives: A Quest for Consensus. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
3. Akbarzadeh, S & MacQueen, B. (2008) Islam and Human rights in practice: perspectives across the Umaah. UK: Routledge
4. Baderin, M. (2005) International Human Rights and Islamic Law. Oxford Univ. Press
5. Cassese, A. (1991) Human Rights in a Changing World. US: Temple University Press
6. Dwyer, K. (1991) Arab Voices. The Human Rights Debate in the Middle East. University of California: Press, Berkeley
7. Hathout, Maher & Uzma J. (2006). In Pursuit of Justice: The Jurisprudence of Human Rights in Islam. UK: Muslim Public Affairs Council
8. Izzidien M (2004) Islamic Law, From Historical foundation to contemporary practice. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
9. Little, D, Kelsay J & Sachedina A.A (1988) Human Rights and the Conflict of Cultures: Western and Islamic Perspectives on Religious Liberty. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press
10. Sachedina, A.A (2009) Islam and the Challenge of Human Rights. Oxford Univ. Press
11. Sait, Siraj & Lim Hilary (2006) Land, Law and Islam: Property and Human Rights in the Muslim World. Zed Books Ltd.