Course Schedule and Catalog
Course Schedule - Spring Semester 2027
Meeting location information can now be found on student schedules in ESTHER (for students) or on the Course Roster in ESTHER (for faculty and instructors).Additional information available here.
Meeting location information can now be found on student schedules in ESTHER (for students) or on the Course Roster in ESTHER (for faculty and instructors).Additional information available here.
RELI 135 001 (CRN: 26848)
RELIGION, ETHICS, AND POLITICS
Long Title: RELIGION, ETHICS, AND POLITICS
Department: Religion
Instructor: Clements, Niki
Meeting: 2:00PM - 3:15PM MW (11-JAN-2027 - 23-APR-2027)
Part of Term: Full Term
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Language of Instruction: Taught in English
Distribution Group: Distribution Group I
Method of Instruction: Face to Face
Credit Hours: 3
Course Syllabus:
Course Materials: Rice Campus Store
Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s):
Undergraduate Professional
Visiting Undergraduate
Undergraduate
Section Max Enrollment: 24
Section Enrolled: 0
Waitlisted: 0 (Max 99)
Current members of the waitlist have priority for available seats.
Enrollment data as of: 2-NOV-2026 2:08AM
Final Exam: No Final Exam
Description: What is the role of religion in contemporary politics, notably in the United States? What is the relation between religion and ethics, when it comes to governmental, legal, medical, and economic policies and practices? This introductory course will work through some of the most urgent and complex intersections of religion, ethics, and politics. We will start with classical theories from the Enlightenment, move to constructions of "civil religion" in mid-20th century U.S., and develop critical analyses of how religion, ethics, and politics intersect in the 21st century. Half of each course will be lecture and half will be a laboratory of critical thinking and debating through these issues.