This course introduces students to the major social science theories of religion. We look at the explanatory value of these theories for various aspects of political development and social movements: institutions and structures, various forms of social movements, church-state relationship, civil society, and democratization. What effect does religion have on political democratization and social change within and across societies? How effective are current theories in adequately explaining the interplay between religion and social life? The course encourages a dialogue between different methodological approaches to the study of religion, politics and social movements.