MA Religion, Politics and Society in Camden United Kingdom | School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Religion continues to wield significant influence in today's global political arena.

This reality demands a critical reevaluation of mainstream secularization theories, along with the definitions and inherent contradictions within secular ideologies. The apparent 'revival' of religious influence in public discourse over recent years has become a major focus of cross-disciplinary research, provoking diverse reactions - from strong resistance to the notion that religious perspectives should shape political discussions, to fresh examinations of how divisions between secular and religious spheres emerged and their connection to modern nation-states.

Emerging scholarship highlights two key concepts: that secularism exists in multiple forms rather than as a single model, and that modern conceptions of religion were shaped by European colonial interests. These ideas represent part of a broader movement to rethink the definitions of religion and secularism, along with their complex interconnections.

SOAS's MA Religion in Global Politics provides an exceptional academic environment to explore these themes through advanced, interdisciplinary study of religion's intersection with political systems across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, both historically and in contemporary contexts.

A fundamental decolonial aim of the program is to counter Eurocentric biases in current discussions about secularism, modernization, and public discourse by emphasizing the diverse, often conflicting interpretations of both religious and secular concepts worldwide. This MA program particularly benefits professionals in policymaking, journalism, research, and community development who work in areas like interfaith dialogue, conflict resolution, social welfare, or diversity initiatives at local, national, or international levels.