Political Theology

Catalog description

Taught by PSR. The recent resurgence of the language of religion in the public sphere calls for a re-examination of the relationship between theology and political theory. What are the connections between ideas of God and power, especially in an age of secularism? Is the theological always political? And, can the political ever be considered a-religious? If "modern theories of the state are secularized theological concepts" (Schmitt) how can one rethink and critique either state or theology? This course explores the idea of political theology by engaging a wide range of texts, including Paul's letter to the Romans, Jacob Taubes, Augustine, Spinoza, Simone Weil, Hannah Arendt, and Vincent Lloyd. NOTE: This course is the in-class version of STPH 8480 Political Theology. Students wishing to take the online version of this class should register for STPH 8480. [Introductory Theology course; 15 max enrollment]