Teaching Religion and International Politics: Beyond Theology and Belief

Author: Jocelyne Cesari

August 5, 2019

The study of religion and international religions has witnessed an exponential growth in recent decades. Courses and programs exploring the complex entanglements between faith and global politics have likewise mushroomed around the world. Nonetheless, reflections on teaching religion and international relations have so far lagged behind. In this contribution to "Teaching Religion and International Relations: Disciplinary, Pedagogical, and Personal Reflections" Jocelyne Cesari describes how her teaching tries to both channel the body of knowledge from religious studies into international relations analysis and show the political relevance of investigating religion beyond belief and identity. Cesari concludes that eclecticism in the classroom is key to utilize different theories depending on the issue at hand. Most of all, it entails being ready to question some of our most engrained conceptions (secular versus religious, politics versus religious) in order to make sense of the ways religion operates in contradictory ways and diverse contexts. The article was published in International Studies Perspectives.

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