| CODE | IRL2066 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Religion and Secularism in International Relations | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | International Relations | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is based on the recognition, by an increasing number of scholars, of the significant role of organized religion, as a major factor in contemporary international conflicts, which makes it necessary to seek to provide an in-depth analysis of the nature of religion’s role in conflict, and of the ways in which religion has played an important function in human patterns of reconciliation in these same conflicts. This study-unit is structured to address a growing academic concern: that the rise of religion has confronted IR theory with a theoretical challenge comparable to that of the end of the Cold War, or the emergence of globalization. It is based on heightened interest in the study of the relevance of religion in international politics, in view of a few important developments, including the difficult time the U.S. is having in imposing secular democracy around the world; the advent of a U.S. foreign policy model that is officially secular yet inspired by a kind of Christianity, and the emergence of a variety of religious movements and organizations with broad bases of national and transnational influence that have become prominent in world affairs. Study-unit Aims This study-unit aims at taking a step forward along a neglected path by examining the role of religion and secularism in current world politics and economics, and exploring their impact on international relations. It looks at relevant differences across various countries and regions, and Huntington's Clash of Civilizations thesis, as well as particular cases like the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. This study-unit, in broader terms, seeks to review complicated questions of ideology and legitimacy, and the ongoing debates about conflicts of religion, identity and nationalism, and their implications for international relations. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to identify in international relations the impact of religious and secular forces; appreciate the differences in the way different societies look at education, human rights and population control; analyze the extension across geography of local religious conflicts, and identify the religious and secular elements in decisions and policies of state managers and policy-makers. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to evaluate the international dimension of religion and secularism; have better understanding of the developments in international relations in relation to the role of religious ideology and religious movements; and make informed interpretation of decisions and policies of politicians in terms of religious and secular underpinnings. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - Fox, Jonathan and Sandler, Shmuel (2006): Bringing Religion into International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan. - Pettman, Ralf (2004): Reason, Culture, Religion The Metaphysics of World Politics. Palgrave Macmillan. - Scott, M. Thomas (2005): The Global Resurgence of Religion and the Transformation of International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan. - Shakman Elizabeth (2008): The politics of secularism in international relations. Princeton University Press. - Huntington, S. (1997): The clash of civilizations and the remaking of world order. Simon&Schster. - Huntington, S. (1984): Will More Countries Become Democratic? Political Science Quarterly [Summer]. - Lustick Ian S. (1994): Religion, Culture, and Psychology in Arab-Israeli Relations. Routledge - Relevant Articles in Journals, Magazines and Newspapers. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | James Sater |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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