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HUM5022 - Religion and Politics

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate applied knowledge of the theoretical issues and debates surrounding the relationship between politics and religion.
Demonstrate critical awareness of the key processes and dynamics through which religion has shaped, and continues to shape, contemporary politics and political institutions.
Relate contemporary issues surrounding religion and politics to conceptual and theoretical frameworks of understanding.

Content:

How do religion and politics impact each other? To what extent are they separate phenomena? The module will analyse the relationships between religion and politics by exploring one or more of issues such as: religion, conflict, violence and peacebuilding; the argument that politics in modernity has been secularised and the contrasting claim that the twenty first century is 'God's century'; separation between church and state, religion and democracy, religious freedom and toleration; religious belief as motivation and legitimation for political opinion and policy; religious identities, multiculturalism and interfaith relations. The specific issue chosen for each semester will be approached through a defined topic and case study such as: terrorism and fundamentalism; religion in US elections; the Israeli-Palestinian or Northen Ireland conflict; Islam and gender in contemporary Europe; religion and nationalism in India and Pakistan.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Collaboration/ small group activity
Contact Hours: 32
Intended Group Size: 25

Tutorial
Contact Hours: 1
Intended Group Size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 167

Further details relating to assessment
The make up of the portfolio will be negotiated with students and will include peer assessment.

Students may also negotiate their assessment topic with the lecturer.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio; 4,000 word equiv.; end of semester 2 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Ann Marie Mealey
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5S2