This course will explore the different interpretations of religion emerging from the Critical
Theory of the Frankfurt School. First generation thinkers in this school understood religion,
especially Judaism and Christianity, to be integral to modern social and cultural evolution.
Religion must be studied, they felt, because it can both display forms of pathological
socialization and yet be a resource for a critique of, and eventual emancipation from, oppressive social realities. After exploring key writings of the first generation of Critical Theorists, the course will examine Jürgen Habermas’s evolving appreciation of religious contributions to social justice and conclude with a selection of readings from contemporary thinkers influenced by the Critical Theory tradition broadly understood, such as Judith Butler, Seyla Benhabib, Enrique Dussel, Achille Mbembe, and María Pía Lara.
Theory of the Frankfurt School. First generation thinkers in this school understood religion,
especially Judaism and Christianity, to be integral to modern social and cultural evolution.
Religion must be studied, they felt, because it can both display forms of pathological
socialization and yet be a resource for a critique of, and eventual emancipation from, oppressive social realities. After exploring key writings of the first generation of Critical Theorists, the course will examine Jürgen Habermas’s evolving appreciation of religious contributions to social justice and conclude with a selection of readings from contemporary thinkers influenced by the Critical Theory tradition broadly understood, such as Judith Butler, Seyla Benhabib, Enrique Dussel, Achille Mbembe, and María Pía Lara.
Dr. Ron Kuipers
ICS 120505 / 220505 F23
ICS 120505 / 220505 F23
ICT5772H L6201*
Remote (Online Synchronous)
Thursdays, 10am to 1pm ET
(MWS, MA, PhD)
Enrolment Notes:
To register for this course, email academic-registrar@icscanada.edu. Last date to register is September 15 (Note that the first class for this course takes place on September 14). Maximum enrolment of nine (9) students. ICS reserves the right to decline registrations.
*Attention TST students: if you are interested in taking this course for credit, you must petition your college of registration to count the course credit toward your degree program.
