THE 617 The Church and Politics
This course invites students to explore and to consider a variety of responses to the question of the relationship between Church and the polis/state/nation. Materials are drawn from a range of disciplines – from theology to philosophy, political science, and law. Selected readings include excerpts from the Gospels, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hobbes, Spinoza, Rousseau, Federalist Papers, Strauss, liberation theology, and Supreme Court rulings. Emphasis is given to introducing students in a way that is accessible for discussion without prior background. Classes may be taught in an in-class, hybrid, or online format and have set times that require virtual participation. (May be taught concurrently with THE 381)