RELI 0305
Religion and Law
Religion and Law: Between Scripture and Constitution AR, ST, WT
The seminar is designed as an inquiry about the similarities and differences in the interpretation of two types of canonical texts: 1) Scripture in Judaism in Christianity , and 2) constitutions, especially US. Does the notion of the "sacred" transcend religious texts, traditions, and cultures, and apply in secular contexts as well? We will ask how such an approach to the secular and the sacred affects other aspects of law and jurisprudence, and how religious people and secularists can both be good and bad interpreters of scripture and constitution. Our readings will include works on theories of hermeneutics, biblical interpretation, social criticism, philosophers of law, and theories of constitutional law. 3 hrs. sem.
The seminar is designed as an inquiry about the similarities and differences in the interpretation of two types of canonical texts: 1) Scripture in Judaism in Christianity , and 2) constitutions, especially US. Does the notion of the "sacred" transcend religious texts, traditions, and cultures, and apply in secular contexts as well? We will ask how such an approach to the secular and the sacred affects other aspects of law and jurisprudence, and how religious people and secularists can both be good and bad interpreters of scripture and constitution. Our readings will include works on theories of hermeneutics, biblical interpretation, social criticism, philosophers of law, and theories of constitutional law. 3 hrs. sem.