Religion and Global Politics

The programme is designed to appeal to policy-makers, analysts, journalists and researchers in either international, national or regional institutions and organisations engaged in policy formation, inter-religious dialogue and community development, social work, development, conflict resolution, peace building or diversity management. It will also provide a solid basis from which to pursue doctoral study. The programme is intended to enable professional development in the area of ‘Religion and Politics’ as well to provide pre-doctoral research training in social scientific analyses of ‘Religion and Politics.

The MA Religion and Global Politics at SOAS is unique: it has a regional focus rarely, if at all addressed in similar programmes in the subject area, draws on a variety of disciplinary perspectives (Law, International Relations and Politics, Development, Anthropology, Migration and Diaspora Studies, and Gender Studies) and has a rigorous theoretical basis built in, such that students will be familiarised with the current state-of-the-art debates regarding religion in the public sphere, secularisms, postsecularism, and political theology. The range of course options available on the programme is unparalleled ensuring that students will benefit from a truly interdisciplinary, intellectually rigorous, and regionally focused programme.

Programme Aims

The programme’s inter-disciplinary focus aims to provide students with advanced training in the area of religion and politics through the study of a wide range of theoretical and regional perspectives. It will serve primarily as a platform for professional development and further (MPhil/PhD) graduate research. The programme will offer students

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of significant approaches, methods, debates, and theories in the field of religion and politics, with particular reference to the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East;
• Advanced skills in researching and writing about topics in and theorisations of religion and politics;
• Advanced skills in the presentation or communication of knowledge and understanding of topics in religion and politics as they pertain to regional, international, and transnational contexts.

Students take courses to the value of 4 units over the length of their degree. This will include a compulsory core course and dissertation.

Core Courses

Two compulsory courses

• Religion and Global Politics: Themes and Theories - (1.0 Unit) - Subject to final course approval
• Dissertation in Religion and Global Politics - (1.0 Unit) - Subject to final course approval

Option Courses

Religion Courses

• Christianity and Social Change in Sub Saharan Africa - 15PSRC157 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• Contemporary Islamism in South Asia: Readings in Sayyid Abu al-A'la Mawdudi - 15PSRC170 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Critical Theory and the Study of Religions - 15PSRC037 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Death and Religion - 15PSRC162 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• East Asian Buddhist Thought - 15PSRH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Eastern and Orthodox Christianity - 15PSRC055 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• History and Doctrines of Indian Buddhism - 15PSRC059 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Muslim Britain: Perspectives and Realities - 15PSRC158 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Non-Violence in Jain Scriptures, Philosophy and Law - 15PSRC062 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Please note that from September 2011 this course unit will be named "Non-Violence in Jain Scriptures, Philosophy and Law"
• Religion, Nationhood and Ethnicity in Judaism - 15PSRH030 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Religious Practice in Japan: Texts, Rituals and Believers - 15PSRC071 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Theory and Method in the Study of Religion - 15PSRC010 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Locating China I: China and other Worldviews before 'Westernization' - 15PSRH025 (0.5 Unit) - Not Running 2013/14
• Locating China II: Missionaries and Misfits in the British Construction of China - 15PSRH026 (0.5 Unit) - Not Running 2013/14
• The Great Tradition of Taoism - 15PSRH036 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Jainism: History, Doctrine and the Contemporary World - 15PSRC024 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• Text and Context in Classical Hinduism - 15PSRC007 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• Modern Muslim Thinkers from South Asia - 15PSRC169 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• The Holocaust in Theology, Literature and Art - 15PSRH028 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Religion in Britain: Faith Communities and Civil Society - 15PSRC163 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
• Israel, the Arab World and the Palestinians - 15PNMC038 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Zionist Ideology - 15PNMC035 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Modern Trends in Islam - 15PNMC228 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Mediated Culture in the Middle East: Politics and Communications - 15PMSH003 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• International Political Communication - 15PMSH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Representing Conflict: A Cross-Cultural and Inter Disciplinary Approach - 15PARH039 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Gender, Armed Conflict and International Law - 15PLAH035 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Conflict, rights and justice - 15PPOH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Comparative International Political Thought - 15PPOH021 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Gender in the Middle East - 15PGNH001 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Human rights and Islamic law - 15PLAC150 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Gendering migration & diasporas - 15PGNH002 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Violence, justice and the politics of memory - 15PPOH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• African and Asian Cultures in Britain - 15PANH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• African and Asian Diasporas in the Modern World - 15PANH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Religions on the move: New Currents and Emerging Trends in Global Religion - 15PANH055 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Gender, law and the family in the history of modern South Asia - 15PHIH030 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Transnational Communities and Diasporic Media:Networking, Connectivity, Identity - 15PMSH004 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• African Philosophy (Postgraduate) - 15PAFH008 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Afrophone Philosophies (Postgraduate) - 15PAFH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
• Taiwan's politics and cross-strait relations - 15PPOC252 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Culture and Conflict in the Himalaya - 15PSAC291 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• The Politics of Culture in Contemporary South Asia - 15PSAC314 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Diaspora Contexts and Visual Culture - 15PARH042 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - 15PPOH020 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• The Making of the Contemporary World - 15PHIH035 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1

Applicants should have a first or good second class honours bachelors degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in a subject appropriate to that of the programme to be followed. As an approximate comparison, an equivalent BA from a US university would have a Grade Point Average of either 3.3 or 3.5 depending on the awarding university. If an applicant does not have a bachelors degree in an appropriate field s/he may be required to complete a qualifying year or a one year diploma before entering the masters programme. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. Individual courses may have specific entry requirements, so you are advised to consult the postgraduate prospectus for further information.However, due consideration is given to the applicants’ individual profiles, and to the fact that great potential for the successful undertaking of the academic study of the field is not necessarily acknowledged or certified through the applicant’s academic qualifications. Interviews can be arranged for applicants who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements, and early contact with the programme convenor is advisable. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.