This course examines the interaction of religious and political authorities, discourses, and institutions through historical, comparative, and normative perspectives. We will start our discussion with a survey of the role of religion in the formation of modern political institutions and identities, including the modern state, long-distance and national social movements, welfare regimes, and national identities. We will then investigate various aspects of religious politics, focusing in particular on religious movements and violence, the rise and transformation of religious parties, secularism as political ideology and movement and the relationship between religious politics and democracy. The course will conclude with a review of recent debates in political theory on the legitimate place of religion in public life and in the political sphere. In the course of the semester, we will discuss empirical cases drawn from Europe, the U.S., the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Religion and Politics (SOC 408)
| Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
| Cultural Studies | * | ||
| Cultural Studies | * | ||
| Political Science | * | ||
| Political Science and International Relations | * | ||
| Political Science and International Relations | * | ||
| Political Science (Previous Name: Social and Political Sciences) | * |
CONTENT
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 5
2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 4
3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 4
4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 4
5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 2
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the multiple methodologies and interpret different approaches, concepts, and theoretical legacies in the interdisciplinary field of Cultural Studies. 3
2. Identify interconnections of knowledge within and across the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, literature, visual studies, philosophy, and geography. 4
3. Cultivate a critical approach to the study of culture, articulating the relations between culture, power, and history; exploring cultural diversity and socio-cultural change at the local, national and global level; and exploring the corresponding demands for rights and social justice. 5
4. With the use of appropriate technologies, be able to present advanced oral and written evaluations of developments in the realm of cultural production, consumption, and representation. 3
1. To analyze national and global events from various social science perspectives. 5
2. To demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge on political science and international relations and to state views and positions with advanced oral and written skills. 5
3. To compete for increasing career opportunities in national and global institutions. 3
4. To (be able to) understand and follow the changes in political behaviours, opinions and structures. 5
5. To gain the ability to make logical inferences on social and political issues based on comparative and historical knowledge. 5
1. Understand and follow changes in patterns of political behavior, ideas and structures. 5
2. Develop the ability to make logical inferences about social and political issues on the basis of comparative and historical knowledge. 5