Secularism: An Introduction
RELI 271
Spring 2019 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
REES 216 |
This course traces the idea and ideal of secularism as an ideological project from classic Enlightenment texts to its contemporary incarnations. We begin with philosophical arguments for the separation of church and state as well as the utopian ideals of secular humanism. We then trace how these underpinnings were embodied in state-sponsored atheism in the Soviet Union, in contrast to liberal democratic principles in the U.S. and Europe. Finally, we examine critiques of the secular project, focusing on secularism as a realpolitik approach to governing multi-religious societies and the idea of religious freedom as a universal human right. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (EDST)(REES-MN)(REES-Social Sci)(RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS) |
Major Readings:
Luther and Calvin on SECULAR AUTHORITY
David Hume, DIALOGUES AND THE NATURAL HISTORY OF RELIGION
John Stuart Mill, THREE ESSAYS ON RELIGION
John Raines, MARX ON RELIGION
John Locke, A LETTER CONCERNING TOLERATION
Readings and articles by George Holyoake, Lenin, Glennys Young, Nina Tumarkin, Christal Lane, Sonja Luehrmann, Victoria Smolkin, Charles Taylor, Saba Mahmood, and Talal Asad
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Examinations and Assignments:
Readings, reading responses, class participation, 3 essays |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills the "Historical Tradition" requirement for the Religion Department major. |
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