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CS92PROD
Secularism: An Introduction
RELI 271
Fall 2017 not offered
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, as well as in 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 multireligious societies and the idea of religious freedom as a universal human right.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (EDST)(REES-MN)(REES-Social Sci)(RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS)

Last Updated on MAR-28-2024
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