Professor: Hilary Zedlitz
4 credits
What does religious freedom mean in a democracy, and who gets to decide? These questions have shaped American politics and law from the founding of the United States to the present. This course examines the politics of religious liberty, focusing on the conflicts that emerge when religious beliefs and practices intersect with constitutional rights, public policy, and political power.
We will explore the ongoing tension between the Constitution’s protections for the free exercise of religion and its prohibition on government establishment of religion. Through historical and contemporary cases, we will consider questions such as: When does protecting religious freedom require government accommodation? When does accommodation become government endorsement of religion? And whose understanding of “religion” counts?
Drawing on scholarship in sociology, psychology, history, and political science, we will also examine how religion is defined and measured and why those choices matter for understanding politics and policy. This course emphasizes discussion, close engagement with diverse perspectives, and independent inquiry. Assignments include short analytical writing and a focused research project in which you develop and pursue your own question about religion, politics, and law. While the course centers on the U.S. context, your own projects may explore questions of religious liberty and politics in other national or comparative contexts.