Democracy, Secularism, Violence
This seminar will examine current debates in anthropology, political theory, and religious studies to query how practices of secularism inflect democracy and humanitarianism, and how those practices also represent, carry or cover violence. Readings will include both classical texts in political theory (Locke, Mill, Marx, Bayle,Schleiermacher, Blumenberg,Weber), and contemporary debates (Sullivan, Taylor, Asad, Keane, Connolly, Mazower). The course presumes a facility with theoretical inquiry (it is not an introductory theory course) and a commitment to interdisciplinary thinking about religion and politics. Course enrollment will be determined by instructors (Wendy Brown and Saba Mahmood) on the first day of class. No pre-enrollment is possible.