BSS480 Religion and Identity in Contemporary World

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2018
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Monika Gabriela Bartoszewicz, MA, MLitt, PhD (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D.
Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 17:00–18:30 P24
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 35 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/35, only registered: 0/35, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/35
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course focuses on several major themes in the study of religion and identity in world politics. It is organised in a seminar format, and requires that students read assigned materials prior to each class and make occasional oral presentations to facilitate discussion.
Learning outcomes
After taking the course, the students: - gain knowledge on the role and impact of religion and identity in international politics; - know the place and role of religion, religious communities as well as religious and social movements in the contemporary world; - are able to identify and analyse fundamentalist and reconciliatory form of religions in modern politics; - are able to explain and characterise the way in which religious and non-religious identities affect and influence individuals and communities on local, national and international level.
Syllabus
  • 1. Definitions of religion and identity; religious map of contemporary world; 2. Issue and importance of individual and collective identity in the contemporary world; 3. Social identity: Recognition and Socialisation – Drawing Boundaries and Representing the Difference; 4. Religion in the modern world: private and public forms of religion; 5. Types of religious influence in the public sphere; role of religion according to the theories of modernisation; secularisation, multiple modernities and clash of civilisation; 6. Meaning of religion and identity in the processes of integration and fragmentation in the contemporary politics; 7. Identity and globalization: analysis and evaluation of reactions to globalisation; 8. Foreign Policy as a site of Identity Politics; 9. Negative identification: Danger, Violence and Exclusion; Racial identity in International Relations; 10. Positive identification: Transnational Ties and the Politics of Amity; 11. Crises, Change and Multiple Identities; 12. Identity and Religion as a source of contemporary conflicts; 13. Critical approach to religion and identity in international politics.
Literature
    required literature
  • J. Casanova, Public Religions in the Modern World, University of Chicago Press 1994.
  • Routledge handbook of religion and politics. Edited by Jeffrey Haynes. London: Routledge, 2009, xii, 432. ISBN 9780415414555. info
    recommended literature
  • P. Beyer, Religion and Globalisation, Sage Publishing 2005
  • Dark, Ken (2000). Religion and International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.
  • Goff, Patricia, Dunn, Kevin C. (2004). Identity and Global Politics: Theoretical and Empirical Elaborations (Culture and Religion in International Relations). Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.
Teaching methods
Students will be required to do the required readings, to attend class sessions, prepare a presentation and to engage in case study analysis both in writing and verbally during classes. Group activities are included in this course.
Assessment methods
Course’s grade will be granted on the basis of: 1. Continuous assessment: individual class presentation (max. 10 points), writing reaction paper (max. 10 points), writting case study analysis (max. 15 points), active participation in discussions (max. 10 points); 2. Oral exam (max. 15 points). During the oral exam the following criteria will be taken into consideration: - knowledge of the main theories and debates; - knowledge of the core readings and main arguments presented therein; - ability to support one’s claim with additional readings and/or case studies; - ability to present logical argumentation; - critical analysis of the problem supported by references to current issues pertaining to religion and identity in international politics. During the exam students will be asked 3 questions; two theory based and one pertaining to recent events concerning religion and identity in international politics.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2018, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2018/BSS480