Master
2026/2027
Comparative Law in the Sphere of Religion
Type:
Compulsory course (Religious Diplomacy in a Multipolar World)
Delivered by:
Higher School of Law and Administration
Where:
Higher School of Law and Administration
When:
1 year, 4 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
24
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The discipline "Comparative Law in the Sphere of Religion" provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal models regulating religious relations in different countries and legal systems. It examines the historical, cultural, and political foundations that define the boundaries of interaction between the state, religious organizations, and citizens. The discipline enables students to understand how various legal traditions balance freedom of conscience, public safety, the autonomy of religious institutions, and the interests of society. The objectives of the course include studying comparative legal approaches to the regulation of the religious sphere, analyzing constitutional models of state-religion relations, examining judicial practice and international standards in the field of freedom of belief, as well as consolidating skills for assessing legal risks and consequences for different forms of religious activity. In the course of studying the discipline, students will develop competencies in the analytical comparison of legal systems, skills in qualifying situations involving religion and law, the ability to assess the compatibility of religious norms with state legislation, and the aptitude to apply comparative legal methods to real-world legal cases in the sphere of religion.
Learning Objectives
- The aim of the course is to develop students' ability to conduct comparative legal analysis of the models of regulation of the religious sphere in different legal systems and to use its results in expert activity.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Knows the methodology of comparative legal research of the religious sphere.
- Knows the main world models of state-confessional relations.
- Knows the specific features of the regulation of religion in the key foreign legal orders.
- Knows the international standards influencing national religious legislation.
- Is able to apply the methods of comparative law to state-confessional issues.
- Is able to compare national models of regulation on given parameters.
- Is able to assess the applicability of foreign experience in Russian conditions.
- Is able to work with foreign normative and judicial sources.
- Has command of the skills of preparing comparative legal opinions on freedom of religion.
- Has command of the skills of expert review of draft legislation using foreign experience.
- Has command of the skills of academic discussion on comparative law of religion.
Course Contents
- Module 1. Methodology of comparative law in the religious sphere
- Module 2. Typology of models of state-confessional relations
- Module 3. Regulation of religion in European states
- Module 4. The American model of religious freedom
- Module 5. Religious legislation of states of the Islamic tradition
- Module 6. Regulation of the religious sphere in Asia and the post-Soviet space
- Module 7. The Russian model in comparative perspective
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- A history of the European restorations. Vol. 2: Culture, society and religion, , 2020
- Civil enforcement in a comparative perspective : a public management challenge, Kennett, W., 2021
- Climate change litigation in Europe : regional, comparative and sectoral perspectives, , 2023
- Discourses, dissertations, and dialogues on politics, science, and religion, Montesquieu de, C. L., 2020
- Making sense : a student's guide to research and writing: religious studies, Northey, M., 2012
- The Cambridge history of religions in the ancient world. Vol.1: From the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic Age, , 2013
- The Cambridge illustrated history of religions, , 2002
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Collective judging in comparative perspective : counting votes and weighing opinions, , 2020
- Empires of faith in Late Antiquity : histories of art and religion from India to Ireland, , 2020
- Freedom, technology, and the first amendment, Emord, J.W., 1991
- How violence shapes religion : belief and conflict in the Middle East and Africa, Meral, Z., 2018
- Sacred places, emerging spaces: religious pluralism in the post-Soviet Caucasus, , 2018