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 508)
| Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
| Computer Science and Engineering - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| Conflict Analysis and Resolution - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Conflict Analysis and Resolution - With Thesis | * | ||
| Cultural Studies - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Cultural Studies - With Thesis | * | ||
| European Studies - Non Thesis | * | ||
| European Studies - With Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Biological Sciences and Bioengineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Industrial Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Materials Science and Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Mechatronics Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Political Science - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Political Sciences - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Political Sciences - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| Political Science - With Thesis | * | ||
| Turkish Studies - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Turkish Studies - With Thesis | * |
CONTENT
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- On completion of the course, students should be able to: Identify the various ways in which religious authorities, organizations, and discourses influence political processes and outcomes.
- Identify the ways in which politicization influences religion.
- Relate real-life examples of religious social movements and parties to relevant theories in the academic literature.
- Present the fundamental ideas in a field of research to peers.
Update Date:
ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA
| Percentage (%) | |
| Term-Paper | 60 |
| Participation | 20 |
| Presentation | 20 |
RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS
| Readings |
* Anna Grzymala-Busse. 2012. ?Why Comparative Politics Should Take Religion (More) Seriously.? Annual Review of Political Science 15: 421-442. |