LEGAL SYSTEMS OF THE MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES

MA PROGRAM

The program adopts a comparative approach to the study of legal systems in the Middle East, placing emphasis on the historical development of Islamic law, civil law systems, and hybrid legal models. It further interrogates the role of law in governance, human rights, and conflict resolution in the region. Through rigorous academic inquiry, students will gain a deep understanding of the relationship between law, religion, culture, and politics in the Middle East while critically engaging with the region’s legal challenges and prospects for reform. This academic program provides a rigorous and scholarly approach to understanding the legal systems of the Middle East, with a strong emphasis on critical inquiry, comparative analysis, and practical application. It is ideal for students seeking to deepen their expertise in Middle Eastern legal systems and engage with complex issues related to law, politics, and society in the region.

Core areas of study might, depending on students’ areas of interest, cover Islamic law and its contemporary applications, comparative legal systems, legal pluralism, secularism and state formation, constitutional law and governance, human rights and legal reform, and conflict, law, and transitional justice. A comprehensive study of the principles, sources, and methodologies of Islamic law, including its interpretation and application in both state and non-state legal systems. Emphasis is placed on contemporary debates surrounding Islamic jurisprudence and the adaptation of Islamic Law in modern legal systems.