The State, Law and Religious Freedoms

Module code: LW7250

This module provides an introduction to the law which governs freedom of thought, conscience and religion in a contemporary western liberal democracy. The module will cover a variety of topics ranging from the legal regulation of religious dress and the role of an Established Church in an increasingly secular society, to the teaching of religion in public schools and contemporary debates about the accommodation of elements of sharia law.

Whilst this module examines the subject matter primarily from the perspective of UK law, detailed reference is also made to the relevant legal standards in the Council of Europe and North America. The aim of the module is to provide you with a detailed knowledge about the oft controversial and increasingly topical relationship between the state and the individual in respect of freedom of thought, conscience and religion.