SO4557: POLITICS & RELIGION (2015-2016)

Religion inspires political action, pervades national identities, and shapes political regimes. Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, Nigeria, Mali, Syria; the conflicts in these countries all involve religious differences. Religion may be in decline in the West but even in Europe there are arguments about the proper place of religion and about religious exemptions from general laws. In the USA religious conservatives use the courts, state legislatures and Congress to fight against abortion and gay rights. Taking a very broad view of politics, this course examines the links between religion and politics.

• Either Sociology (SO) (Studied) or Master of Letters in Islamic Studies (Studied)
• One of SO3017 Religion and Society (Passed) or SO3066 Thinking Sociologically (Passed) or SO3067 Religion and Society (Passed) or SO3566 Thinking Sociologically (Passed) or SO3567 Religion and Society (Passed) or Master of Letters in Islamic Studies (Studied)
• One of SO2503 Study Social Life 2 (Passed) or SO2504 Studying Social Life 2 (Passed) or SO2505 Studying Social Life 2 (Extended) (Passed) or Master of Letters in Islamic Studies (Studied)
• One of SO2003 Study Social Life 1 (Passed) or SO2004 Studying Social Life 1 (Passed) or SO2005 Studying Social Life 1 (Extended) (Passed) or Master of Letters in Islamic Studies (Studied)
• Either Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied) or Master of Letters in Islamic Studies (Studied)
• One of SO3522 Social Research Methods (Passed) or SO3524 Social Research Methods (Passed) or Master of Letters in Islamic Studies (Studied)
• Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4