Geopolitics of Religions
E-learning Certificate Course
Online · self-paced (2–6 months)
Religions are re-emerging in the social, political and economic spheres amid the crisis of the nation-state, revealing the limits of secular institutions and ideologies. The political use of religion has become a significant factor in power rivalries and considerably affects contemporary geopolitics. Understanding these dynamics requires an interdisciplinary, holistic approach; geopolitical analysis provides one, integrating geographical, political, historical, sociological, cultural, demographic and economic parameters.
Objectives
The course examines how the growing role of religion influences politics amid the erosion of state sovereignty and the crisis of the major secular ideologies, and how this affects geopolitical configurations at national, regional and global levels. Case illustrations address the geopolitical role of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism. On completion, participants can apply the geopolitical approach to situations where religious factors shape power rivalries among state and non-state actors.
Programme highlights & learning outcomes
- Understand how the growing influence of religions affects politics
- Assess the influence of religions in contemporary geopolitical dynamics
- Apply the geopolitical approach to power rivalries with a religious dimension
- Assess processes shaped by the political use of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism
The 12 lessons
- 01What Geopolitics of Religion Is
- 02From a Religion of Progress to the Progress of Religion
- 03Religion and Politics in the 1970s: The Watershed
- 04Plural Islam
- 05Islam and Politics
- 06Hinduism and Indian Identity
- 07Buddhism: A Religion of Power
- 08Judaism between Religion and Ethnos
- 09Orthodox Christianity and Orthodox Countries
- 10The Protestant Galaxy
- 11Catholicism and the Geopolitics of the Church
- 12Religions and International Relations in the 21st Century
How it works
Learn at your own pace — the course can be completed within two to six months depending on your availability. Once your application is approved and payment received, you can enrol at your convenience. A certificate is awarded by GIGS on successful completion.
The set text is Holy War and Holy Alliance. Religions and Global Disorder in the 21st Century (Columbia University Press, 2017); the tuition fee covers the textbook.
Prerequisites
English proficiency and a good knowledge of international relations.
Lecturers
Dr. Manlio Graziano — course tutor
Doctorate from the University of Grenoble; teaches Geopolitics at the American Graduate School in Paris and at Sorbonne University. Author of Holy War and Holy Alliance (Columbia University Press, 2017), the set text for this course.