Religion and Politics in the Middle East

Catalog description

This course examines the intersection of religion and politics in the current landscape of the societies of the Middle East. While the West has emphasized separation of church and state, numerous nations and political parties in the Middle East emphasize the relationship between the two and the guiding role that religion is meant to play in political decision making. This course also examines the impact that secularization has had upon religion in the Middle East and it notes how this has played a key role in the development of Islamic militarism and the strengthening of some of the religiously based political parties of the region. Instructor’s permission may be required for this course.