POSC 377 - Religion and Global Politics

(Same as PCST 377.) This course examines the relationship between religion and politics in the sphere of international relations, with a particular focus on recent developments in socio-scientific theory dealing with religion. The course is structured around three broad themes. First, we discuss intersections between the specific religion literature and broader IR theory, in particular social constructivism and rational choice theory. Second, we look at debates surrounding the secularization thesis and its validity in the contemporary world. Third, we apply these notions to several case studies by looking broadly at the issues of violence. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits