Religions, Cultures & Civilisations (957M1)
Religions, Cultures and Civilisations in International Relations
Module 957M1
Module details for 2017/18.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)
Module Outline
This course will explore the implications of the return of religions, cultures and civilisations for world politics and for thinking about international relations. Many sociologists and philosophers have interpreted this return as 'the end of modernity' or the 'de-secularisation of the world'. For our purpose, the course will primarily focus on the renewed centrality of cultural, religious and civilisational identities as strategic frames of reference for politics in the post-Cold War world.
Against the background of the growing multicultural nature of contemporary international society resulting from what Hedley Bull has aptly termed the revolt against the West, the course will try: 1) to problematise the implicit and predominant reading of religion in IR as the ultimate threat to international order and stability (especially, in the forms of the identity politics of the new wars and the terrorist attacks of religious fundamentalists); 2) to engage critically with Huntingtons thesis of the clash of civilisations by providing a more in depth discussion of the possible meaning and role of civilisations, civilisational identities and civilisational analysis in international relations; 3) to discuss the implications of this return for the future of the normative structure and world order of contemporary international society.
Module learning outcomes
To problematise the implicit and predominant reading of religion in IR as the ultimate threat to international order and stability
To engage critically with Huntingtons thesis of the clash of civilisations by providing a more in depth discussion on meaning of civilisations in IR
To discuss the implications of this return for the future of the normative structure and world order of contemporary international society
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (5000 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 3 Wed 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 3 hours | 111111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Prof Fabio Petito
Assess convenor, Convenor
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Mx Emilia Moscardini-Powers
Assess convenor
/profiles/214700
Dr David Karp
Assess convenor
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Mrs Daniella Kiernan
Assess convenor
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