This course focuses on the intersection of law and religion through the lenses of legal philosophy and history, constitutional, comparative, and international law. Two interrelated aspects of law and religion that the course comprehensively addresses are religion-state relations and religious freedom both in the United State and abroad. Methodologically, the course combines traditional normative approach to law and religion with social analysis of these two phenomena in their interactions. The course includes the following topics: approaches to the justification of religious freedom; comparative constitutional perspectives on religion-state relation; international standards and best practices of freedom of/from religion in the dialogue with American legal system; freedom of religion and freedom of expression; responding to religious extremism, gender aspects of religious freedom; rights of religious organizations; religion freedom and education; and religion in public life.

Student grades will be based on a combination of the final paper (50% total), participation, under the supervision of the professor, in podcast recording (25%), and class participation (25%). The assessment of class participation is based on the quality of participation.

Recommended for the following Professional Pathways: International Law/Human Rights; Civil Rights/Civil Liberties; Government/Public Sector; Law Through a Different Lens

3 Credits