BA Religions, Theology and Ethics / Course details

The course is based on classical texts in political philosophy and their implicated religious elements. Key political concepts such as the polis, sovereignty, freedom etc. will be examined with respect to religious beliefs and practices. The sharp distinction between religion and politics as a result of the Enlightenment became axiomatic for democratic cultures today. These and other prerequisites of modern political thinking will be discussed. The lectures will facilitate a deeper understanding of political philosophy and corresponding forms of theology such as liberation theology, whereas the seminars will focus on current problems of the interdependence of religion and politics.

• To develop political thinking through classical texts in political philosophy
• To appreciate the interdependence of religious concepts and political thoughts
• To understand the historical development of secular politics in Western political cultures
• To acquire critical and analytical skills to examine contemporary forms of political theology and theological politics

• To have acquired a sound knowledge of classical political texts
• To become aware of the historical transformation of key political concepts
• To gain an in-depth familiarity with political philosophy and political theology

•       To be able to be critical about the current models of the relationship between religion and politics
•       To enhance contextual awareness and improve hermeneutical skills in reading primary texts
•       To gain firm understanding of using different methodologies in analysing media sources

•      To gain experience of working to fulfil the requirements of a specified brief
•      To practice working as part of a team

• To understand and critically evaluate contemporary forms of secularisation and their intellectual background.
• To manage and undertake self-defined research tasks and present the outcomes to a wider audience.
• To develop religious literacy

RE-SIT ASSESSMENT

Hoelzl, M. Ward, G. [eds.]. Religion and Political Thought (Continuum, 2006).

Rosen, Michael [ed. et al.]. 2000. Political Thought.  Oxford Readers. Oxford
University Press.

Cohen, Mitchell; Fermon, Nicole [eds.]. 1996. Princeton Readings in Political
Thought. Princeton University Press.

Boucher, David; Kelly, Peter. [ed]. 2003. Political Thinkers. From Socrates to the Present.
Oxford University Press.

Wolff, Jonathan. 1996. An Introduction to Political Philosophy. Oxford University
Press.

Kymlicka, Will. 22001. Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction. OxfordUniversity Press.

Heywood, Andrew. 2000. Key Concepts in Politics. Palgrave Macmillan.

Davis, Creston [ed. et al.]. 2005. Theology and the Political. The new debate. Duke University Press.
 

A full description of this course can be found in MyManchester.