IS 426 - Religion and War

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Credit Hours: 3

What is the relationship between religion and political violence, and how it has evolved through modern history? Given that religion preaches peace, why does it seem to be inherently prone to violence? How is religion used to mobilize popular support for secular or material causes? We will address these questions and others using theories and concepts in political science (such as those dealing with social mobilization, collective rationality and irrationality, and group psychology), as well as historical treatments of “holy war,” including the Crusades, the shifting Islamic conception of jihad, and modern-day politico-religious terrorism.