Topics in Comparative Religion (379-0-28)

Topic

Political Religion in the Contemporary World

Meeting Info

Locy Hall 214: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Political Religion in the Contemporary World (Brief Description)

In the post-secular era, marked by the reemergence of religion in the public sphere, contemporary societies have witnessed the expansion of political religion as a significant global phenomenon. Political religion can be understood through two interrelated processes: the politicization of religion and the sacralization of political ideologies. These processes operate across both monotheistic and non-monotheistic traditions and have played a crucial role in shaping movements, organizations, and forms of fundamentalism that challenge modern political and social orders, particularly in relation to identity and national security.

This course examines the characteristics, origins, and diverse representations of political religion from a sociological perspective. It also explores how political religion manifests not only in formal political structures but also in everyday life. Through a comparative approach, the course analyzes political religion in major religious traditions—including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Confucianism—while equipping students with methodological tools to critically interpret these phenomena.

Brief Syllabus
What is Political Religion? Conceptual Foundations
Fascism and Nazism as Forms of Political Religion
Civil Religion and the Sacralization of the Nation
Politics in Abrahamic Religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Political Religion in the Islamic Republic of Iran (Case Study)
Al-Qaeda as a Form of Political Religion
The Taliban and Political Religion
ISIS (Islamic State) and the Radicalization of Political Religion
Messianism and Its Political Dimensions
Religion, Politics, and Violence

*The seminar counts toward Religion, Law, and Politics (RLP) religious studies major concentration.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Conceptually define and differentiate key frameworks such as secularism, post-secularism, and political religion, including the distinction between the politicization of religion and the sacralization of political ideologies. Critically analyze empirical cases of political religion across diverse contexts (monotheistic and non-monotheistic), identifying mechanisms of identity formation, mobilization, and ideological legitimation. Evaluate the role of political religion in shaping contemporary issues such as nationalism, fundamentalism, conflict, and national security. Identify discursive and symbolic mechanisms through which political actors sacralize authority, construct legitimacy, and produce "us vs. them" ideological boundaries. Demonstrate methodological awareness by utilizing qualitative approaches (e.g., discourse analysis) to interpret political-religious phenomena

Teaching Method

Class Materials (Required)

Articles

Class Notes

Dr. Zahra Khoshk Jan is a political sociologist and researcher specializing in the sociology of religion. Zahra's research primarily focuses on "the political sociology of religion," an interdisciplinary field that examines the mutual influences between religion and politics, including political religion and emerging forms of implicit religion, especially in the modern era. She has published multiple papers in Persian and English on the interaction of politics and religion.

Dr. Zahra Khoshk Jan can be reached out at khoshkjan27@gmail.com

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci