POLS 367 - Politics and Religion

In liberal democratic societies the state stays neutral to the citizens’ religious orientations. Accordingly, the law is legislated under the condition of separation between church and state. Thomas Jefferson’s Wall of Separation Letter (Jan.1.1802) articulates this point. Religions’ recent resurgence at the global level and in the public sphere, however, poses a threat to the separation clause. How so? Why? And, at what cost for democracy? In order to address these concerns, this course investigates a variety of ideas on the makeup of religion, the nature of politics, and the appropriate pattern of interaction between the two. The path towards such investigation cuts through issues such as the relationship between reason and religion; political theology; the sacred and its political role; tolerance; religious fundamentalism; and political secularism.

Credits 1

Area
Social Sciences

Connection
21003

Division
Social Sciences

Compass Attributes
Social Science, Structure/Power/Inequality, Taylor and Lane Scholars