POLI 336
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Religion and Politics
Course Description
Examines the complex relationships between religious institutions, beliefs, and political processes, analyzing how faith shapes political behavior, policy debates, and constitutional frameworks in democratic societies.
When Taught
Contact Department
Min
3
Fixed/Max
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
0
Title
Be spiritually strengthened
Learning Outcome
Articulate principles of faith in political analysis
Title
Define religion concretely
Learning Outcome
Increase fluency with the unique characteristics of religion compared to other belief systems and social organizations.
Title
Evaluate Religious Influences on Political Behavior and Policy
Learning Outcome
Evaluate how religious belonging, believing, and behaving shape political attitudes and behavior such as voting, political participation, policy preferences, and coalition formation in contemporary political systems.
Title
Analyze the Intersection of Religious and Political Systems
Learning Outcome
Analyze the relationships between religious institutions, beliefs, and practices and political processes, institutions, and outcomes across diverse contexts.
Title
Assess Theoretical Approaches to Religion and Politics
Learning Outcome
Assess major theoretical perspectives on the role of religion in politics, such as secularization theory, cultural conflict theory, and religious marketplace theory.
Title
Investigate Contemporary Religion-Politics Controversies Using Rigorous Methods
Learning Outcome
Design and conduct original research on a contemporary religion and politics issue using appropriate research methodologies.
Title
Communicate With Clarity and Evidence
Learning Outcome
Write and present analytical arguments about religion-politics topics with originality and clarity, providing reasons and evidence to support claims while using proper citation of source material.
Title
Recognize Diversity Within and Across Religious Traditions
Learning Outcome
Identify and appreciate the contours of religious diversity across and within major religious traditions.
Title
Apply Course Concepts to Contemporary Political Events
Learning Outcome
Apply theoretical frameworks and analytical tools from the course to explain current events involving religion and politics in domestic and international contexts.
