Tags
WP
Admissions requirements
Transnational Politics.
Description
Religion has become an increasingly important issue in international relations over the past thirty years. Against the expectations of secularisation theorists, religion has not only remained socially strong in many parts of the world, but has become increasingly politically assertive. But how should we study religion in world politics? What do religio-political movements want? What are the implications of the contemporary resurgence of religion for global order?
In this course, students will examine the diverse ways in which religion is reshaping world politics. The course will cover the different theoretical approaches to the study of religion in world politics, questioning how far generalisations about religion in world politics are possible. We will how religion affects contemporary political issues such as democratization, war and peace, conflict resolution, as well as the diverse ways in which religion is governed by political authorities. Through a series of case studies, we will examine some of the most important political movements associated with major religious traditions, including Protestant and Catholic Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to critically reflect on whether theories and categories in the academic literature provide adequate tools for understanding the religious dimension of world politics.
This course is recommended as a preparation for Political Islam in the Middle East at 300-level.
Course objectives
This module aims to provide a critical examination of key issues and processes related to the place and role of religion in world politics. By the end of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of competing theoretical approaches to the study of religion in world politics.
Show knowledge of the historical trajectory of religion in world politics.
Demonstrate understanding of the complexity and diversity of religious politics around the world.
Apply conceptual and theoretical tools to analyse the role religion plays in world politics.
Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills; develop the capacity to learn independently, criticise major texts and approaches, and lead class discussions.
Timetable
Once available, timetables will be published here.
Mode of instruction
The course is taught through two-hour seminars. Students will be expected to participate in both large and small group discussions; present and defend their ideas within an academic setting; and take part in group projects. The instructor will facilitate and ensure the efficient running of the discussion, but students are responsible for shaping its direction. Each seminar has a ‘required reading’ list that must be read in advance of each seminar. Students are also recommended to read some of the items listed under ‘suggested reading’ prior to each seminar and use the extended list as a starting point in their preparation for essay writing.
Assessment
Seminar participation: 15% (ongoing)
Group presentations: 15% (ongoing, weeks 3-7)
Individual short essay: 30% (2000 words, week 4)
Individual final research essay: 40% (3000 words, week 8)
Blackboard
There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.
Reading list
Core text to be confirmed. Recommended texts indicative of the course content include:
Timothy Samuel Shah, Alfred Stepan and Monica Duffy Toft (eds.), Rethinking Religion and World Affairs (Oxford: OUP, 2012).
Monica Toft, Daniel Philpott, and Timothy Shah, God’s Century: Resurgent Religion and Global Politics (New York: Norton, 2011).
Elizabeth Shakman Hurd, The Politics of Secularism in International Relations (Princeton: Princeton UP, 2007).
Scott M. Thomas, The Global Resurgence of Religion and the Transformation of International Relations (Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, 2005).
Registration
This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Curriculum Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr Edmund Frettingham: e.j.frettingham@luc.leidenuniv.nl.