Political Theology (UC Berkeley): Course Syllabus

UC Berkeley Extension Political Theology: Christian, Islamic, Jewish and Radical Perspectives (PHILOS X482) Who may legitimately rule over others, with what means, for which purposes, and with which limitations? The modern era has tended to offer secular answers to this question of politically authority, such as the democratically elected nation-state. Since the rise of Evangelicalism in the 1980s and Islamism in the 1990s, there have been attempts to answer this question in theological terms, breathing new life into the pre-modern discourse of political theology, and critiquing the claims of secular politics. This course is a critical introduction to political theology. Students will examine how Islamic, Christian, Jewish and contemporary radical traditions have tried to answer the question of political authority in various contexts of modernity. Course learning objectives When students have completed this course they will Be able to recognize the deep significance of theological concepts in secular political thought and practices. Have a firm grasp of the differences between Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and radical political theologies. Intended audience The course is intended for those who have a scholarly interest in the ways in which political thought and practice is related to theology. Prerequisites There are no prerequisites for this course, although familiarity with the history of modern political thought and theology is strongly recommended. Session by session summary Session 1 An overview of the development of political theology from Augustine to today, and a discussion of why it matters today by invoking contemporary examples such as Georg W. Bush’s use of religious language, the spread of Islamism, and the question of religious toleration. Readings: Political Theologies: Hent de Vries, “Introduction,” 1-91. Political Theology in a Plural Age: Michael Jon Kessler, “Introduction,” 1-14; Jose Casanova et al., “A Conversation,” 13-43. Session 2 This session will discuss Jewish political theology. Emphasis will be on, among other things, the challenge for Jewish theologians throughout history to combine the political claims of Judaism and the reality of an exiled people. Readings: Political Theologies: Stephane Moses, “From Rosenzweig to Levinas: Philosophy of War”; Hent de Vries, “Levinas, Spinoza, and the Theologico-Political Meaning of Scripture,” 232-251. Political Theology in a Plural Age: Jerome Copulsky, “History and Essence,” 62-99. Session 3 This session will discuss Christian political theology. In particular, the political theologies of Augustine, Luther, and Pope Benedict XVI will be discussed, along with the question of the place of Christianity in a democratic political society. Readings: Political Theologies: M.B. Pranger, “Politics and Finitude,” 113-122; Antonia Szabari, “The Scandal of Religion,” 122-137; Pope Benedict XVI, “Prepolitical Moral Foundations of a Free Republic,” 261-269. Political Theology in a Plural Age: Eric Gregory, “Christianity and the Rise of the Democratic State,” 99-108; Robin Lovin, “The Future of Political Theology,” 181-201; Charles Mathewes, “Augustinian Christian Republican Citizenship,” 218-250. Session 4 This session will discuss Islamic political theology. The variety of Islamic political theologies in their negotiations with modernity will be highlighted, and Western perceptions of Islamic political theologies will be discussed. Readings: Political Theologies: Markha J. Valenta, “How to Recognize a Muslim,” 444-474. . Political Theology in a Plural Age: Paul Heck, “Is the King a Democrat?”, 108-133; Elizabeth Bucar, “Gauging the Status of Political Theologies,” 161-181; Jocelyne Cesari, “Islamic Political Theologies and International Relations,” 250-265. Session 5 This session will discuss radical political theologies on the political right, e.g. Carl Schmitt and George W. Bush. The attempt of rightist politicians and theorists to ground their politics in theological language will be discussed. Readings: Political Theologies: Marc de Wilde, “Violence in the State of Exception,” 188-201; Bruce Lincoln, “Bush’s God Talk,” 269-278; Peter van der Veer, “Pim Fortuyn, Theo van Gogh,” 527-539. Session 6 This session will discuss radical political theology on the political left, e.g. Jürgen Habermas, Judith Butler, and Claude Lefort. Leftist critiques of modern Western politics as secular will be discussed. Readings: Political Theologies: Jürgen Habermas, “On the Relations Between the Secular Liberal State and Religion,” 251-261; Claude Lefort, “The Permanence of the Theologico-Political?”, 148-199; Judith Butler, “Critique, Coercion,” 201-220; Wendy Brown, “Subjects of Tolerance,” 298-318; Matthew Scherer, “Saint John,” 341-362. . Political Theology in a Plural Age: David Novak, “Doing Political Theology Today,” 201-218. Methods of Instruction There are two methods of instruction for this course. First, each session will begin with a lecture (1-1 ½ hrs), giving students a critical overview of the session’s topic. Second, many sessions will contain seminar-style discussions (following the lecture) where students will be divided into smaller groups and discuss the topic of the session, learning to critically use and analyze the readings they have been assigned. Credit Requirements The final exam consists of one short question, and one comprehensive essay question. Course Grade Breakdown In-class assignments: 30%. Response papers: 30%. Final exam: 40%. Required Texts and Materials Political Theology for a Plural Age ed. Jon Kessler (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013). ISBN: 9780199769278. Political Theologies: Public Religions in a Post-Secular World, ed. Hent de Vries (New York: Fordham University Press, 2006). ISBN: 9780823226443.