The Great Separation: Politics, Religion and the Modern West
COL 115
Spring 2008
| Section:
01
|
| Crosslisting:
HIST 125 |
This course investigates the relationship between the idea of moral autonomy and modern political thought from the closing of the Middle Ages to the end of the Enlightenment. We begin by surveying the decline and resurgence of theologically-motivated political doctrines from the seventeenth century to the present. Then, in a close reading of important primary texts, we will ask to what extent the emergence of a modern concept of the morally autonomous rational individual was indebted to the assertion of an all-powerful state that could enforce laws and preserve order and property without recourse to religious authority. Finally, we will ask whether the Western experience can serve as the normative basis for other cultures and societies, or whether the return of the divine to political discourse threatens the 'fragile exception' of secular political philosophy. |
|
Essential Capabilities:
Writing |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS COL |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
|
Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
|
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 | | Special Attributes: FYI |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Primary Readings include: Dante, Luther, Hobbes, Rousseau, Kant
Secondary Readings include: Mark Lilla, THE STILLBORN GOD.
|
| Instructor(s): Printy,Michael O. Times: .M.W... 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: BTFDA414; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: X | JR major: X | | |
| Seats Available: 6 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: 19 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
|
|