It has been argued that, with scientific progress, religion should lose its influence in the socio-economic and political sphere. However, there is a resurgence of religion in the public sphere. This is evident in politics related to the family in Western economies and terrorism has been justified by groups and cults through religious discourse. We will investigate the demand and supply factors that explain extremism and how economics can help explain religious cults and rigid rituals. We will investigate the impact of religion on economic development and look at factors that prevented economic development in Muslim countries compared to the West. By the end of this course, students will be able to complement their studies in the sociology, psychology, theology or history of religion with the economics of religion.
Instructor: Dr. Junaid Jahangir
Dr. Junaid Jahangir is an associate professor of economics at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. He is interested in economic pluralism and renewed perspectives to teaching economics. He has also published in Islamic Studies and co-authored the book Islamic Law and Muslim Same-Sex Unions. He has developed new courses including Economics of Religion, Economics for Everyone, and Sexual Diversity in Islam.
