Religion and Political Theory PLSC 390H-001 / RELG Spring 2012 WF 11:00-12:15 Kinard 312

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1 Religion and Political Theory PLSC 390H-001 / RELG Spring 2012 WF 11:00-12:15 Kinard 312 Dr. Michael Lipscomb, Associate Professor of Political Science Office: 336 Bancroft lipscombm@winthrop.edu Phone: ( is preferred) Open office hours: 9:30 to 11:00, Monday and Wednesday; and by appointment. Dr. William P. Kiblinger, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies Office: Kinard kiblingerw@winthrop.edu Phone: ( is preferred) Open office hours: W 12:30-3:30; F 12:30-1:30; or by appointment COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course addresses religion as an unavoidable fact of politics, focusing on the relationship between religious belief and political authority. The class will investigate the modern, liberal democratic solution to the problems created by competing religious factions, tracing how the separation of church and state has evolved in an American political context. The limits of this liberal democratic tradition will be examined through critical readings of Carl Schmitt, Walter Benjamin, Jacques Derrida, and others. The class will conclude with an assessment of contemporary confluences between the religious and the political. This course has a prerequisite of a C- or better in HMXP 102. It is worth three (3) credit hours. Though it is not listed as an Honors course in Religion, it may be taken as one; please speak to the instructors if you are interested in that designation. Any subsequent changes to this syllabus will be announced in class if minor, or else distributed in writing. COURSE GOALS AND METHODS Goal 1: Demonstrate the ability to read critically the significant primary and/or secondary sources on the key questions of the course. Method: Reading primary texts from major theorists; analyzing those readings in class discussion; assessing the merits of their positions in written assignments. Assessment of Student Learning Outcome: Students will participate in a seminar discussion and take turns presenting ideas to the group. More in-depth writing assignments on exams and in the term paper will gauge their understanding of intertextual nature of the ideas in the course and their implications. 1

2 Goal 2: Demonstrate the ability to think across disciplines, i.e., the ability to appreciate and articulate the differences and the relationships between political and religious ideas and to use the methodologies of political science and religious studies to do so. Method: Comparing different political theories as they developed historically in response to the religious context of the time; displaying this understanding in written form on exams. Assessment of Student Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate their understanding of the connections among the political and religious ideas and the context in which these ideas took shape through a variety of assignments quizzes, writing assignments, and exams. Goal 3: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in standard English. TEXTS In Bookstore: Method: Discussion, oral presentations, and written work in which a premium is placed on precision in language. Assessment of Student Learning Outcome: Class discussions and presentations as well as writing assignments will provide plenty of material with which to assess this goal. 1. Carl Schmitt, Political Theology: Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty, translated by George Schwab (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005). 2. Georges Bataille, Theory of Religion, translated by Robert Hurley (New York: Zone Books, 1992). Other Required Readings (in order of appearance on syllabus): 1. Michael Allen Gillespie, The Contradictions of Enlightenment and the Crisis of Modernity. 2. John Wilson, Religion, Government, and Power in the New American Nation from Religion and American Politics. 3. Carl H. Esbeck, Equal Treatment: Its Constitutional Status, from Equal Treatment of Religion in a Pluralistic Society. 4. James W. Skillen, The Theoretical Roots of Equal Treatment, from Equal Treatment of Religion in a Pluralistic Society. 5. Derek H. Davis, Equal Treatment: A Christian Separatist Perspective, from Equal Treatment of Religion in a Pluralistic Society. 6. Rogers M. Smith, Equal Treatment? A Liberal Separationist View, from Equal Treatment of Religion in a Pluralistic Society. 7. Walter Benjamin, Critique of Violence. 8. Chris Thornhill, Carl Schmitt and Early Western Marxism. 9. Heinrich Meier, Politics, Or What Is Truth? from The Lessons of Carl Schmitt. 2

3 10. Gary Gutting, The Turn to Ethics: Derrida, Levinas, and Foucault, from Thinking the Impossible. 11. Jacques Derrida, Force of Law. 12. Giorgio Agamben, excerpts from State of Exception. 13. William E. Connolly, excerpts from Why I Am Not a Secularist. 14. Jeffrey Stout, The Folly of Secularism. 15. Jeffrey Stout, The Contested Sacred. Supplementary Readings: 1. The Bill of Rights 2. Friedrich Nietzsche, Zarathustra s Prologue 3. Jocelyn Maclure and Charles Taylor, Secularism and Freedom of Conscience. 4. Georges Bataille, The Accursed Share: Volumes I and II. 5. Ryan Lizza, Leap of Faith, The New Yorker, Aug. 15/22, 2011 ATTENDANCE, MAKE-UP POLICY AND TESTS: More than two (2) absences will diminish your grade, while fewer than two will improve it. If you miss a quiz or exam due to illness or a death in the family, appropriate documentation will allow you to take a make-up. EXPECTATIONS OF THE STUDENT 1. Class Participation: Class participation is worth 100 points. What counts as participation? First and foremost, good participation means being present in class, displaying the ready poise of an engaged thinker, and actively questioning and thinking out loud during class. I will judge your contribution with the following indicators in mind: Can you answer questions about the current readings? Can you integrate the material with previous classes? Do you have written notes on your reading assignment? Do you ask good questions? Do you listen carefully to your peers? Do you demonstrate intellectual curiosity? Do you arrive on time with a positive attitude? 2. Presentations: Students will be required to help lead discussion and participate in debates during the semester. Cumulatively these tasks will be worth 200 points. 3. Exams: Students will take two exams. Each will be worth 200 points. 4. Term Paper: Students will write a term paper worth 300 points. GRADING Participation: 100 points Grading scale: Exam 1: 200 points : A : A- Exam 2: 200 points : B : B : B- Presentations: 200 points : C : C : C- Term Paper: 300 points : D : D : D- TOTAL 1000 points 0-599: F 3

4 STATEMENT OF TOLERANCE: Regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, age and ability, you will be treated and respected as a human being. Your continued presence in this course signals your commitment to act likewise. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at , as soon as possible. Once you have your professor notification letter, please notify me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first test. ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER: Winthrop s Academic Success Center is a free resource for all undergraduate students seeking to perform their best academically. The ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that help students achieve academic excellence, such as tutoring, academic skill development (test taking strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), group and individual study spaces, and academic coaching. The ASC is located on the first floor of Dinkins, Suite 106. Please contact the ASC at or success@winthrop.edu. For more information on ASC services, please visit STUDENT CONDUCT: Students are expected to cultivate personal and academic integrity. Academic misconduct will be addressed in accordance with the Student Conduct Code and the University Undergraduate Catalog. Students will submit all major written assignments through Turnitin. Students in this course should be aware of the strong sanctions against plagiarism (misrepresentation of another person s work as one s own) stated in the Student Conduct Code. (See section V. Student Academic Misconduct of the Student Conduct Code in the Student Handbook.) If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic "F" in the course and possible expulsion. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials and the works of others, be sure to consult the instructor. Proper citation procedures are provided in all standard writing manuals. For more information, see the Student Handbook at 4

5 Reading Schedule (subject to modification as needed): Date Assignment Additional Readings January 11 Introduction January 13 January 18 Gillespie, Contradictions of the Enlightenment January 20 Gillespie, Contradictions of the Enlightenment January 25 Wilson, Religion, Government, and Power in the New American Nation January Carl H. Esbeck, Equal Treatment: Its Constitutional Status 2. James W. Skillen, The Theoretical Roots of Equal Treatment The Constitution, particularly The Bill of Rights February 1 1. Derek H. Davis, Equal Treatment: A Christian Separatist Perspective 2. Rogers M. Smith, Equal Treatment? A Liberal Separationist View February 3 Debate in class (no reading) Maclure and Taylor, Secularism and Freedom of Conscience February 8 Benjamin, Critique of Violence February 10 Benjamin, Critique of Violence February 15 Bataille, Theory of Religion Nietzsche, Zarathustra s Prologue ; notes from The Will to Power February 17 Bataille, Theory of Religion Bataille, The Accursed Share : Volumes I and II. February 22 Exam 1 February 24 Thornhill, Carl Schmitt and Early Western Marxism February 29 Heinrich Meier, Politics, Or What Is Truth? March 2 Schmitt, Political Theology March 7 Schmitt, Political Theology March 9 Schmitt, Political Theology March 14 Spring Break March 16 Spring Break March 21 Gutting, The Turn to Ethics March 23 Derrida, Force of Law March 28 Derrida, Force of Law March 30 Exam 2 5

6 April 4 April 6 April 11 April 13 April 18 April 20 April 24 Agamben, State of Exception Agamben, State of Exception Connolly, Why I am Not a Secularist Connolly, Why I am Not a Secularist Stout, The Folly of Secularism Stout, The Contested Sacred Study Day Final: Mon., April 30 11:30 AM Ryan Lizza, Leap of Faith, The New Yorker, Aug. 15/22, Term Paper 6