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.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
1. Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications 5
2. Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the field is related with ; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas. 4
3. Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach. 5
4. Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject. 5
5. Critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas. 5
6. Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study. 3
7. Contribute the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently. 4
8. Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals. 4
9. Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem solving. 1
10. Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. 3
11. Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary. 4
12. Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field. 4
13. Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level. 5
14. Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements. 3
15. Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision making processes in solving problems encountered in the field. 1
16. Contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values. 3
1. Develop the ability to use critical, analytical, and reflective thinking and reasoning 5
2. Reflect on social and ethical responsibilities in his/her professional life. 3
3. Gain experience and confidence in the dissemination of project/research outputs 5
4. Work responsibly and creatively as an individual or as a member or leader of a team and in multidisciplinary environments. 4
5. Communicate effectively by oral, written, graphical and technological means and have competency in English. 5
6. Independently reach and acquire information, and develop appreciation of the need for continuously learning and updating. 5
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the 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 psychology. 4
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the multiple methodologies used in cultural analysis; in particular, ethnographic fieldwork, participant-observation, interviewing, oral history, focus group discussions, textual criticism, and visual analysis 3
4. 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
5. Be able to conduct original research and develop sound analysis of phenomena in the realm of cultural production, consumption, and representation; develop and present advanced oral and written evaluations of one's research and arguments. 5
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the 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 psychology. 4
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the multiple methodologies used in cultural analysis; in particular, ethnographic fieldwork, participant-observation, interviewing, oral history, focus group discussions, textual criticism, and visual analysis 3
4. 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
5. Be able to conduct original research and develop sound analysis of phenomena in the realm of cultural production, consumption, and representation; develop and present advanced oral and written evaluations of one's research and arguments. 5
1. Analyze historical and contemporary developments in Europe, specifically of the European integration process, from a multi-disciplinary perspective. 4
2. Grasp the main dynamics of the European order, politically, historically and economically. 4
3. Explain the European integration process and the EU's decision-making procedures and it's institutions. 2
1. Analyze historical and contemporary developments in Europe, specifically of the European integration process, from a multi-disciplinary perspective. 4
2. Grasp the main dynamics of the European order, politically, historically and economically. 4
3. Explain the European integration process and the EU's decision-making procedures and it's institutions. 2
1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 5
1. Analyze current and persistent conflict situations with an emphasis on perceptual and cultural aspects of social conflicts. 5
2. Conduct research in sources of conflicts and possible conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, third-party intervention, cooperative decision making, peace building, track-two and citizens' diplomacy applied to various social contexts. 3
3. Design and implement conflict resolution process to policy issues related to disputes in or among identity groups, governments, organizations, civil society or corporations. 2
4. Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 5
1. Analyze current and persistent conflict situations with an emphasis on perceptual and cultural aspects of social conflicts. 5
2. Conduct research in sources of conflicts and possible conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, third-party intervention, cooperative decision making, peace building, track-two and citizens' diplomacy applied to various social contexts. 3
3. Design and implement conflict resolution process to policy issues related to disputes in or among identity groups, governments, organizations, civil society or corporations. 2
4. Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 5
1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 5
1. Gain the skills to analyze, understand, evaluate, and make policies in key public areas. 4
2. Develop a policy area of specialization. 4
3. Gain work experience in one of the centers or forums affiliated with Sabancı University. 1
1. Gain the skills to analyze, understand, evaluate, and make policies in key public areas. 4
2. Develop a policy area of specialization. 4
3. Gain work experience in one of the centers or forums affiliated with Sabancı University. 1
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. |