Religion and Politics in Late Modernity

If you previously taken this course POLI2619 The Rise and Fall of the Idea of Secularism: Politics, Religion, and Modernity, do not take this course.The disappearance of religion from political life the -- famous or infamous "disenchantment of the world" -- was long considered a hallmark of Western modernity. However, the first decades of the twenty-first century have witnessed a forceful, and at times violent, re-entry of religious actors and claims into politics, challenging the familiar narratives of secularization. This course will explore the early modern idea of a secular political sphere (Martin Luther, Benedict Spinoza, Immanuel Kant), consider late-modern interpretations and master-narratives of secularization (Max Weber), and engage contemporary thinkers who argue that we may now live in a post-secular age (Charles Taylor, Jurgen Habermas). In doing so, we will critically examine the conceptual and historical foundations of secularization, as well as the normative questions it raises for liberal political life.