ATS4006 - Political theology - 2017

Political theology examines explicit and implicit connections between religious and political ideas. It is both a theory and a method and the unit introduces students to both of these dimensions. The theoretical aspect offers students a way of thinking about how religion, power and politics are intertwined through reading and discussion of various texts by modern philosophers, such as Carl Schmitt, Ernest Bloch, Claude Lefort and others. The other aspect offers students a way of using political theology as a method for reading variety of texts in order to uncover forgotten or repressed religious influences in modern secular discourses.

1. Understand important approaches to political theology
2. Understand the history of political theology
3. Enter into current conversations about political theology
4. Employ a range of theoretical frameworks for understanding the links between theologies and various aspects of politics
5. Practice political theology as a method of thinking critically, conceptually and creatively about political problems
6. Research and analyse modern politics using political theology as theoretical and methodological framework

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Tamara Prosic

Religious studies

History

Philosophy