Description
This course explores the complex and contested nexus between religion and politics. The first section of the course analyses characterizations of religion at play in several theories of democracy so as to critically examine commonly-assumed notions of religion that underpin much contemporary political discourse. The second section investigates several country case studies, each of which exemplify a distinct model regarding the relation between religion and politics. The course concludes with a third section that probes the politics surrounding several contemporary issues, inquiring as to how religion might be entangled in the debates.
Course objectives
Through participation in this course, diligent students will:
Gain an understanding of the conceptualizations of religion at play in prominent theories of democracy
Expand their knowledge of the different ways in which several countries around the world have structured the relationship between religion and politics in practice
Become aware of the multifaceted presence of religion in contemporary political debates
Develop critical thinking skills to further pursue questions regarding religion and politics as well as to interject as informed citizens within public debates
Through participation in this course, diligent students will also:
Learn to synthesize and prioritize large amounts of information
Cultivate the ability to distill complex arguments
Improve writing skills through assignments and examinations
Improve public speaking skills through engagement with peers in class discussion
Timetable
Timetable Religiewetenschappen
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Course Load
Course load (5 EC = 140 hours):
Lectures: 26 hours (2 hours per week x 13 weeks)
Study of compulsory literature: 78 hours (6 hours per week x 13 weeks)
Assignments: 15 hours (3 x 5 hours each)
Preparation exam: 18 hours
Exam: 2 hours
Exam Review: 1 hour
Assessment method
45% Three response essays (750wds. each)
55% Written examination with essay questions
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average.
Resit
Students who have submitted their response essays on time but scored an overall insufficient grade for the course are entitled to a resit. For the resit, students are given a chance to retake the written examination.
Exam review
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
Reading list
The reading list will be available on Blackboard prior to the start of the course.
Registration
Students are required to register through uSis
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs