This course takes thematic approach to the challenge of policy-making and governance in relations with the religious actors and organizations. It studies the issues behind policy-making processes and public policy in the developed as well as developing nations to understand the complex array of factors which influence governments and politicians notably religious and theological groups, sects, mainstream religious congregations etc. The course examines the role that political institutions and social changes play in determining the direction of government policies, explains the importance of political and social issues within the relevant social, cultural and historical context, and draws extensive examples from different regions of the world The political management of religious change in Europe and emerging economies of the world including the dwindling attendance in churches, the growing presence of Muslim religious practices and the increase in people with no religious affiliation  The course shall study the impact of the religion in the return to the conservative and populist politics world wide  The course shall have a global outlook in analysing the comparative impact of the religious organizations in the policy making spaces.  The policymaking and governance of religion in regional institutions like the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights  The influence of religion on political parties and party affiliation in different parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, and the role of religious organizations as political actors