020003 SE Political Theology and Philosophy in the 20th Century (2014W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Description
Religion and politics are two topics generally deemed off-limits from polite, everyday conversation, due to the tensions that such conversations tend to bear. But that tension comes to bear upon the matter of post-secularism, which presents some of the most pressing concerns in politics today. The rise of post-secularism is indeed centered on questions and problems concerning the disciplines of religion and theology. Religion has proven its importance, and thus, theology demands attention from political theory once again. But this time, as opposed to more secular frameworks, the emphasis is not on how to limit or bracket out religion, but to understand how religion is already at work in our public spheres and political dimensions.This wrestling with the political realities of religions so-called return has proven to be true especially in the last 15 years. From 9/11, to the recent Arab Spring, the sharp line that secularism once tried to maintain between religion and politics, church and state, has been challenged and tested.
Religion and politics are two topics generally deemed off-limits from polite, everyday conversation, due to the tensions that such conversations tend to bear. But that tension comes to bear upon the matter of post-secularism, which presents some of the most pressing concerns in politics today. The rise of post-secularism is indeed centered on questions and problems concerning the disciplines of religion and theology. Religion has proven its importance, and thus, theology demands attention from political theory once again. But this time, as opposed to more secular frameworks, the emphasis is not on how to limit or bracket out religion, but to understand how religion is already at work in our public spheres and political dimensions.This wrestling with the political realities of religions so-called return has proven to be true especially in the last 15 years. From 9/11, to the recent Arab Spring, the sharp line that secularism once tried to maintain between religion and politics, church and state, has been challenged and tested.
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Mo 15.09.2014 12:00 to Mo 22.09.2014 12:00
- Registration is open from Tu 23.09.2014 12:00 to Su 05.10.2014 12:00
- Deregistration possible until Su 05.10.2014 12:00
Details
max. 20 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
- Thursday 02.10. 15:05 - 19:05 Hörsaal 1 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
- Thursday 09.10. 15:00 - 19:00 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
- Thursday 23.10. 15:00 - 19:00 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
- Thursday 06.11. 15:00 - 19:00 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
- Thursday 20.11. 15:00 - 19:00 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
- Thursday 04.12. 16:00 - 20:00 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
- Thursday 29.01. 15:00 - 19:00 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
Active course attendance, participation through questions, arguments, comments, etc. 20% One 10-15 minute conference style presentation of a course text. This is not to simply be a summary of an assigned text. The presentation should chart out what you think is important in the text, why it matters, where the thinker might be wrong, a critical point the author left out, etc. Also, it is recommended that the student use outside resources beyond the particular text being presented. 35% One short response to someone elses presentation. This response is to be 2-3 pages, with a summary of the presenters arguments, strengths to their arguments, and potential weaknesses of them. This is also a good place to raise the work of other thinkers we have studied in juxtaposition/comparison/contrast with the presenter. 25% 2 questions each week concerning the assigned reading (to be emailed to the professor the night before). 20%
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
English:
Objectives
This course will critically yet generously explore such discourses that have taken place in the last century, both from the perspectives of those who prefer religion to remain outside politics, and those who demand that it in fact is the only reliable, grounding source for it. Students need not have prior training in political, philosophical, or theological discourse, though such backgrounds will indeed be helpful. We will have readings that are strictly from the field of Political Theology, but also works of thinkers who challenge the very possibility of such a field. The course will also deal more closely with political philosophy more generally, and how it has contributed to these conversations. The course will be limited to work taking place in the 20th century, highlighting the philosophical debates that have overlapped between both disciplines.
Objectives
This course will critically yet generously explore such discourses that have taken place in the last century, both from the perspectives of those who prefer religion to remain outside politics, and those who demand that it in fact is the only reliable, grounding source for it. Students need not have prior training in political, philosophical, or theological discourse, though such backgrounds will indeed be helpful. We will have readings that are strictly from the field of Political Theology, but also works of thinkers who challenge the very possibility of such a field. The course will also deal more closely with political philosophy more generally, and how it has contributed to these conversations. The course will be limited to work taking place in the 20th century, highlighting the philosophical debates that have overlapped between both disciplines.
Examination topics
Reading list
Reading List
*Any texts or editions available in other languages will be acceptable for students to use*Books to be purchased by student
Habermas, Butler, Taylor, West. The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere Ed: Mendieta, VanAntwerpen, Calhoun. (New York: Columbia University Press, 2011).Carl Schmitt, Political Theology: Four Chapters of the Concept of Sovereignty (Chicago: Univ. of Chicago, 1985).Lilla, Mark. The Stillborn God.Selections to be sent by professor
Hannah Arendt The Human Condition
Rowan Williams Faith in the public square
Johann Baptist Metz. A Passion for God: The Mystical-Political Dimension of Christianity, (translated Matthew Ashley)
Jacques derrida, On Cosmopolitanism and Forgiveness
Martin Luther King Letters from Birmingham Jail
Jurgen habermas 2010, debate on post secularism
Peter sloterdijk. You Must Change your Life
Habermas and Religion (2013)
Adam Fergusons Political theology
Zizek, Slavoj. Michaelangelos Christ on the Cross and other essays
Jacques Derrida, Force of Law: The Mystical Foundation of Authority in Derrida, Anidjar
(ed.) Acts of Religion (New York: Routledge, 2002). pp. 228- 298
Thomas Jeffersons Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom
Heinrich Meier, "What Is Political Theology?" in Interpretation 30 (2003).
Habermas, J., 2010, An Awareness of Whats Missing: Faith and Reason in a Post-Secular Age, trans. Ciaran Cronin, Malden, MA: Polity Press.
Jeffrey W. Bailey, Craig Hovey, eds, An Eerdmans Reader on Contemporary Political Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012
Gustavo Gutiérrez, A Theology of Liberation (New York: Maryknoll, 2010).
John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1994)
Karl Barth, Church and State, ER, 303-315.
*Any texts or editions available in other languages will be acceptable for students to use*Books to be purchased by student
Habermas, Butler, Taylor, West. The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere Ed: Mendieta, VanAntwerpen, Calhoun. (New York: Columbia University Press, 2011).Carl Schmitt, Political Theology: Four Chapters of the Concept of Sovereignty (Chicago: Univ. of Chicago, 1985).Lilla, Mark. The Stillborn God.Selections to be sent by professor
Hannah Arendt The Human Condition
Rowan Williams Faith in the public square
Johann Baptist Metz. A Passion for God: The Mystical-Political Dimension of Christianity, (translated Matthew Ashley)
Jacques derrida, On Cosmopolitanism and Forgiveness
Martin Luther King Letters from Birmingham Jail
Jurgen habermas 2010, debate on post secularism
Peter sloterdijk. You Must Change your Life
Habermas and Religion (2013)
Adam Fergusons Political theology
Zizek, Slavoj. Michaelangelos Christ on the Cross and other essays
Jacques Derrida, Force of Law: The Mystical Foundation of Authority in Derrida, Anidjar
(ed.) Acts of Religion (New York: Routledge, 2002). pp. 228- 298
Thomas Jeffersons Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom
Heinrich Meier, "What Is Political Theology?" in Interpretation 30 (2003).
Habermas, J., 2010, An Awareness of Whats Missing: Faith and Reason in a Post-Secular Age, trans. Ciaran Cronin, Malden, MA: Polity Press.
Jeffrey W. Bailey, Craig Hovey, eds, An Eerdmans Reader on Contemporary Political Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012
Gustavo Gutiérrez, A Theology of Liberation (New York: Maryknoll, 2010).
John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1994)
Karl Barth, Church and State, ER, 303-315.
Association in the course directory
[B]PH-SE
[FT]PH-SE
[FT]PH-SE
Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:27