Danny O'Connor

Honors Seminar: Global Religion and Politics

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

     In the Fall semester of 2014, I took part in an honors seminar taught by political science professor Laura Jenkins. The class took place each Monday from 2:30-5:20. During the class hours, we discussed several topics primarily concerning the impact religion plays in various culturals and political systems. To supplement the class, we were assigned readings each week that dealt with different politcal themes such as justice, freedom, and equality; in addition to this the writer would often commentate on how religions such as christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others influence these concepts in different parts of the world. We also spent a good deal of time learning about how to define what the word religion means in a broader context. Over the course of the semester, we conducted research on a topic of our choosing concerning a specific case in which religion and politics were tightly intertwined. At the end of the semester, we turned in our work and also presented the topic we chose to the class.

 

     In addition to these class discussions, we embarked on several trips during the class time. Among the places we visted were the Hebrew Union, the Clifton Mosque, the Creation Musuem, and a Scientology church. I found these trips to be incredibly beneficial and enlightening as they gave me the unique opportunity to learn about the various faiths observed first-hand. I have always felt that there is immense value in having an understanding and appreciation for cultures inherently different and unique from our own, and each of these trips achieved this for me in a major way. By visiting the Hebrew Union, I learned about the reformist Jewish movement and the powerful presence it has right here in Cincinnati. At the Clifton Mosque, I learned a great deal about Islam in general, as well as its intrinsic values and views of sprituality. At the Creation museum and Scientology church, I learned about two smaller faiths that are most certainly perceived as obscure; visiting sites where they are observed allowed me to sympathize with their followers and appreiciate why they live the way they do.

 

     Ultimately, this class gave me the ability to not only see my own local community, but also the entire world in an entirely different light. Each of these vistits forced me to be much more aware of the culture and customs constantly being observed around me that I had never thought of before or really even known much about. The class also gave me a new view on the very concept of faith itself. While I may not follow or even agree with what all of these religions teach, I felt as if I had gained an appreciation and understanding for why their followers believe in them as passionately as they do. I believe that this is an incredibly important attribute to have in order to be an impactful member of a global community. It is impossible to effectively work with and interact with others without having sypmathy and respect for where they came from, and the culture they represent. Through the experience I gained in this class, I gained this persepctive.

 

     Attached is my final paper for this class as well as the presentation that accompanied it. The topic I wrote about concerned the ancient schism between the Sunni and Shia sects of Islams. My paper involves a brief history of the split, as well as how sectarianism has impacted the history of the Middle East and modern day relations between middle eastern countries. Major historical events I highlight include the Iranian revolution of 1979 and the subsequent Shia militancy that broke out in Pakistan in its wake.