The objective of the course is to provide the student with a deepened understanding of relations between religion and politics in one region in a historical perspective, and of methods and theoretical perspectives used in the analysis of religion and politics in that region.

The course unit can be studied at 200 and 300 level, and it can be included as an independent unit in a Bachelor´s or a Master´s Programme. RELV229 is an optional unit within the Bachelor Programme in the Study of Religions.

When the course requirements have been fulfilled, the student will have achieved the following:

Knowledge

Deepened knowledge of relations between religion and politics in one of the following nine regions in a historical perspective: (a) U.S.A., (b) Latin America, (c) Western Europe, (d) Eastern Europe and Russia, (e) Africa (south of Sahara), (f) the states in North Africa and West Asia with Islam as the religion of the majority, (g) Israel, (h) South Asia, or (i) East Asia. The choice of region is optional.

Deepened acquaintance with methods, methodological problems and theoretical perspectives used in the analysis of religion and politics in the region one has chosen.

Deepened capability of putting the knowledge about religion and politics in relation to the history of religions in general.

Deepened knowledge about new and earlier research and about important issues relevant for the study of religion and politics in the region one has chosen.

Skills

Deepened capability of:

analysing a complex theme and of drawing conclusions on one´s own,

critically examining theories and methods, and

writing a coherent analytical text, thereby demonstrating a capacity for using the norms and techniques of academic writing.

General competence

Practice in handling large quantities of information and literature within a short time period, and of interpreting and presenting information.