Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 329"
COURSE NAME: "Religion and Global Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2025

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Melissa Marie Matthes
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 11:10 AM 1:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
“Religion” is driving contemporary political events in multiple, multifaceted, and mysterious ways. This course is designed to help students to make sense of this phenomenon and to begin to understand why, and in what ways, religion influences global politics today. In order to do so, the course will address normative concerns about the proper relationship between religion and states in contemporary political societies; theoretical concerns about how various religious institutions and religion-state arrangements influence and are influenced by political processes; and empirical concerns about how, why and where individuals are religious across the globe, and in what ways their religious ideas and identities might influence their political decisions and behaviors. Throughout the course students will be introduced to a set of concepts used by scholars to understand the theory and practice of religion and politics today. They will then have an opportunity to employ and critique these concepts by researching and writing a term paper on a case of religion intersecting with international affairs today. Possibilities include, but are not limited to, the Iraq war debate; the EU vs. the Crucifix debate; the Islam and Democracy debate; and the US foreign policy debate over the engagement of the “global Muslim community.”

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
“Religion” is driving contemporary political events in multiple, multifaceted, and mysterious ways. This course is designed to help students to make sense of this phenomenon and to begin to understand why, and in what ways, religion influences global politics today. In order to do so, the course will address normative concerns about the proper relationship between religion and states in contemporary political societies; theoretical concerns about how various religious institutions and religion-state arrangements influence and are influenced by political processes; and empirical concerns about how, why and where individuals are religious across the globe, and in what ways their religious ideas and identities might influence their political decisions and behaviors. Throughout the course students will be introduced to a set of concepts used by scholars to understand the theory and practice of religion and politics today. They will then have an opportunity to employ and critique these concepts by researching and writing a term paper on a case of religion intersecting with international affairs today. Possibilities include, but are not limited to, the Iraq war debate; the EU vs. the Crucifix debate; the Islam and Democracy debate; and the US foreign policy debate over the engagement of the “global Muslim community.”

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
“Religion” is driving contemporary political events in multiple, multifaceted, and mysterious ways. This course is designed to help students to make sense of this phenomenon and to begin to understand why, and in what ways, religion influences global politics today. In order to do so, the course will address normative concerns about the proper relationship between religion and states in contemporary political societies; theoretical concerns about how various religious institutions and religion-state arrangements influence and are influenced by political processes; and empirical concerns about how, why and where individuals are religious across the globe, and in what ways their religious ideas and identities might influence their political decisions and behaviors. Throughout the course students will be introduced to a set of concepts used by scholars to understand the theory and practice of religion and politics today. They will then have an opportunity to employ and critique these concepts by researching and writing a term paper on a case of religion intersecting with international affairs today. Possibilities include, but are not limited to, the Iraq war debate; the EU vs. the Crucifix debate; the Islam and Democracy debate; and the US foreign policy debate over the engagement of the “global Muslim community.”

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
“Religion” is driving contemporary political events in multiple, multifaceted, and mysterious ways. This course is designed to help students to make sense of this phenomenon and to begin to understand why, and in what ways, religion influences global politics today. In order to do so, the course will address normative concerns about the proper relationship between religion and states in contemporary political societies; theoretical concerns about how various religious institutions and religion-state arrangements influence and are influenced by political processes; and empirical concerns about how, why and where individuals are religious across the globe, and in what ways their religious ideas and identities might influence their political decisions and behaviors. Throughout the course students will be introduced to a set of concepts used by scholars to understand the theory and practice of religion and politics today. They will then have an opportunity to employ and critique these concepts by researching and writing a term paper on a case of religion intersecting with international affairs today. Possibilities include, but are not limited to, the Iraq war debate; the EU vs. the Crucifix debate; the Islam and Democracy debate; and the US foreign policy debate over the engagement of the “global Muslim community.”

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Section One: Religion’s Place in the World

Monday, July 7: Class Introduction and Overview

Tuesday, July 8: Story of Adam and Eve

Read Genesis1:1-4:22, Creation Story, and Story of Adam and Eve, NRSV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201&version=NRSVUE

Wednesday July 09:

Jack Miles, God: A Biography https://archive.org/details/godbiography0000mile

Read pgs. 3-46.

Thursday July 10:

Watch, AWAKE: The Life of Yogananda (90 minutes) (Available on youtube, prime video, etc.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfBfpWcr_jU

Is Yogananda a legitimate religious leader? By what criteria? Why do you think so many Americans followed him? What problem is he addressing/solving in their lives? Is this movement different than a political movement? How?

Monday July 14: Islam

Read, Islam in God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Rule the World, Stephen Prothero pgs. 25-63. (optional Introduction, pgs. 1-24.)

Tuesday, July 15: Muhammad

Read, Karen Armstrong, Muhammad: A Biography

Wednesday July 16: Muhammad

Finish Muhammad: A Biography

Visit to the Mosque of Rome. Details to be determined.

Section Two: The Economics of Religion & the Religion of Economics

Thursday July 17: Protestantism & Capitalism

What is the Protestant ethic, according to Max Weber? How does Weber think that it is entwined with capitalism? Do all religions have an economic element?

Read, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber (Moodle)

Part One: The Problem pgs. 25-53.

Monday, July 21: The Prosperity Gospel

Read, Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel, Kate Bowler Blessed : a history of the American prosperity gospel : Bowler, Kate, author : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Tuesday, July 22: God and Mammon

Read, “Introduction: Markets and Morals” and “Chapter 1: Jumping the Queue,” in What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets, Michael Sandel.

Wednesday July 23: Crowding Out Morals

Read, Chapter 3: How Markets Crowd Out Morals,” and Chapter 5: Naming Rights, in What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets, Michael Sandel.

Thursday July 24: Sports- God’s Secular Religion?

“Team Spirit: US Sports Mania Called Folk Religion,” James A Mathisen (Moodle)

Is Football the Universal Religion? https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180713-is-football-the-universal-religion

Podcast, Faith on the Field: The Intersection of Religion and Sports

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl3pN2QgiH8

Section Three: Judaism and Global Politics

Monday July 28: Judaism

Read, Chapter “Judaism, “in God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Rule the World, Stephen Prothero

Tuesday July 29: Everyday with Orthodox Judaism

Watch first two episodes of Shtisel (on Netflix) Shtisel - Wikipedia

To help guide your viewing, consider these questions: What are the elements of your reading of Prothero's chapter on Judaism that you see demonstrated in the series? What is the most striking difference between this representation of Orthodox Judaism and American Evangelicalism? Are there any noteworthy similarities? What do you most admire about this series and its representations of this Jewish family? What is most challenging about them?

Section Four: Religion, Politics, Violence

Wednesday July 30: The Church and the Third Reich

What historical, cultural, and psychological features gave rise to the Nazi genocide. What kind of power does propaganda exercise? Are all people vulnerable to propaganda? Are these films propaganda? Why or why not? What defines propaganda? Fake news?

Power of Propaganda (18 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7hJVaTW45M

Rise of Nazi Genocide https://www.ushmm.org/learn/holocaust/path-to-nazi-genocide/the-path-to-nazi-genocide/full-film (38 minutes)

Auschwitz: The Nazis and the Final Solution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGmc66gIlv8&list=PLUjCRIDsGE3VWZVNFZYsg7Jd_49oYoMc4&index=3 (48 minutes)

Thursday July 31: The Pope and Hitler

What is the role of the Catholic Church in the Holocaust, according to Goldhagen? Why does the Church behave the way it does? What is the relationship between the Church’s theology and its politics? Can the Church be forgiven for its complicity? By whom? What do you think of Goldhagen’s recommendations for reconciliation?

Part One: Clarifying the Conduct, A Moral Reckoning: The Role of the Church in the Holocaust and its Unfulfilled Duty of Repair, Goldhagen, pgs. 33-98. (D2L)

Monday August 4: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin

What enabled Bonhoeffer to behave so courageously when so many others were cowardly accommodating gruesome violence? What is the role of the Harlem Black Church on Bonhoeffer’s religious sensibilities? What can we learn from Bonhoeffer about how to resist violence? Why were there not more people like him?

Watch documentary, Bonhoeffer (2003)

Bonhoeffer (2003) | Full Movie | Martin Doblmeier | Klaus Maria Brandauer | Adele Schmidt - YouTube

Note: There is a new fictionalized movie version of Bonhoeffer’s life – Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin (if you are interested in watching that, too)

Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. | Official Trailer | Angel Studios - YouTube

Tuesday, August 5: Religious Symbols and Civic Discourse

What is the difference between free speech and hate speech? Should we all have the right to offend others? Should speech that incites violence be protected? How do we decide what promotes violence? Does it matter if it is a minority faith that is offended versus the faith of the majority?

“Protest Against Cartoon Depiction of Prophet Muhammad”

https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/18/nyregion/more-than-1000-protest-cartoon-depiction-of-prophet.html

Charlie Hebdo Attack: Three Days of Terror

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30708237

Free Speech, Offence and Religion

https://www.cis.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/images/stories/policy-magazine/2006-22-2-jeremy-shearmur.pdf

Right to Offend is an Inalienable Part of Right to Religious Freedom

https://www.cato.org/commentary/right-offend-inalienable-part-right-religious-freedom-free-speech

Wednesday, August 6: Is the Israeli- Palestinian War about Religion?

Why Religion Matters: Social Scientific Insights on the Role of Religion in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Umur Kosal (Moodle)

Thursday August 7: Tying Up All the Loose Ends

Review and Student Presentations of Final Projects

*****

FINAL PAPER/PROJECT DUE FRIDAY NOON AUGUST 8, 2025

Supplemental Material:

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

Questions for reflection and discussion:

1) How might you tell the story of the conflict as a story of colonialism?

2) Is the conflict about religion? Why or why not?

3) Does the documentary (or documentaries) you watched take a particular position in relation to the conflict? Why is it so difficult to tell this story in an “objective way”?

4) Like when we watched the movie, Munich, dating the beginning of the conflict is a political act. How would you tell the origin story of the conflict?

5) What role does the United States play in this conflict?

Required:

1. 1948: Creation and Catastrophe (1hour, 25 minutes)

a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwy-Rf15UIs

2. What is US Policy on Israel-Palestine? (essay)

a. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-us-policy-israeli-palestinian-conflict

Group One: Founding/Nakba

3. How Britain Started the Arab-Israel Conflict (52 minutes)

a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXfuqUhzESg

4. Documentary: Al-Nakba (watch episodes 2 and 3) (47 minutes each)

i. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7FML0wzJ6A

ii. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2D5Fsd9lg