Aims

To acquire knowledge and insight in the development of the place of Christianity in modern Europe in a global context since 1650.
To get acquainted with different theoretical and methodological approaches of religion and globalization with respect to modern Europe 
To be able to critically reflect on and discuss key concepts such as religion, globalization, modernity/ modernization, secularism/secularization,  public/ private sphere, etc.

Previous knowledge

The student has to be familiar with the general political and cultural history of Europe, familiarity with Christianity is not required but obviously helpful.

Content

Since 9/11 and books by S.P Huntington (The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, 1996) and alike, the importance religion in modern societies is being recognized again. Still, as regards Europe, this continent is often believed being largely secularized since the nineteenth century. In reality though Christianity remained an important albeit often underestimated part of European society in the Modern Era. Hence this course looks at different aspects where that comes to the fore, dealing both with the macro-political aspects of Christendom – Church-State relations, political parties (the phenomenon of Christian Democracy), attitudes towards Communism and Fascism, and its impact on the Welfare State – and with ‘history from below’, in particular popular religion, the creation and functioning of religious subcultures, the different meaning of religious practices for men and women, and religious imagination and representations. By doing so it introduces a variety of historical and social scientific approaches to the subject. In addition, it particularly investigates the transnational dimensions of religion, including non-Christian religions, and adopts a global perspective, and takes in account the significance of imperialism, colonization and decolonization. Finally the course compels students to reflect on the meaning of concepts such as ‘modernity’, the role of religion in modern and contemporary societies, and on the identity and self-imagination of Europe, and strongly invites them to compare European and non-European experiences and attitudes towards the place of religion in society.

Course material

Articles and literature
Toledo / e-platform
Slides, transparencies, courseware

Is also included in other courses

• Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives 60 ects.