This course is at the intersection of ‘sociology of religions’ and ‘development studies’. It aims to develop students’ critical understanding of how different religious traditions, by way of instilling certain cultural values, can affect economic institutions such as work ethic, individual empowerment, etc., and other norms important for socio-economic development. The course will equip students with key concepts that will allow them to analyze religious values impacting development, and familiarize them with the various approaches different faiths employ to tackle issues such as poverty and wealth, health, empowerment, charity, work, social order and wellbeing. The course will cover historical and current cases that will exemplify these various viewpoints. Its materials will also illustrate how religious views can either impede or encourage economic development and more broadly human development. Case studies will serve as a foundation for analyses and discussions of some of the ethical issues and tensions arising at the interface between religion and development. Finally, it will look at the ways of how economic growth and rising living standards in some emerging economies may be changing (if at all) the religious landscape there.

Continuous Assessment: 100%