Admission requirements
This course is available for students of the Humanities Lab
If you have received your propaedeutic diploma within one academic year, your academic results are good and you are a very motivated student, you may apply for a place in the Humanities Lab.
Description
This course explores the complex and contested nexus between religion and politics. It does so, for one, by exploring the characterizations of religion at play in several theories of democracy so as to better understand commonly-assumed notions of religion that underpin much contemporary political discourse. The course also examines several country case studies, each of which exemplify a distinct model regarding the relation between religion and politics. Furthermore, the course delves into the politics surrounding several contemporary issues, inquiring as to how religion might be entangled in the debates.
Course objectives
Gain an understanding of the characterizations of religion at play in prominent theories of democracy
Expand knowledge of the different ways in which 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 an informed citizen within public debates
Learn to synthesize and prioritize large amounts of information
Cultivate the ability to distil complex arguments
Improve writing skills through assignments
Improve public speaking skills through engagement with peers in class discussion
Timetable
Courses of the Humanities Lab are scheduled on Friday afternoon from 13.00 to 17.00.
For the exact timetable, please visit the following website.
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Course Load
Total course load 5EC x 28 hours = 140 hours
Attending and participating in seminars: 24 hours (6 x 4 hours/week)
Studying course literature: 60 hours (6 x 10 hours/week)
Writing response papers: 16 hours (2 x 8 hours)
Researching and writing research paper: 40 hours
Assessment method
20% Participation
40% Two Response Papers (750wds each)
40% Research Paper (3000wds)
Attendance
Attendance is compulsory for all meetings (lectures, seminars, excursion). If you are unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control, notify the Humanities Lab coordinators (honours@hum.leidenuniv.nl) in advance, providing a valid reason for your absence, and hand in your weekly assignment in writing to the lecturer (if applicable). Being absent without notification and valid reason may result in lower grades or exclusion from the course.
Resit
Students who have been active participants in class and submitted the research paper on time, but scored an overall insufficient mark, are entitled to a resit. For the resit, students are given a chance to hand in a new version of the research paper.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for:
- Submitting digital copies of assignments
Reading list
The reading list will be available on Blackboard prior to the start of the course.
Registration
Students of the Humanities Lab will be registered via uSis by the administration of the Humanities Lab. More information about registration for courses will be provided on Blackboard.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
John-Harmen Valk
Humanities Lab office: e-mail
Remarks
This course is part of the Humanities Lab programme, visit the website for more information.
Visit the Honours Academy website for more information about the Honours College.