Objectives and Content:

The objective of the course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of different relations between religion and politics in the modern world, and of some methods and theoretical perspectives used in the analysis of these relations.

RELV228 is an optional unit within the Bachelor Programme in the Study of Religions.

The student shall by the end of the course have gained the following learning outcome defined in knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student

• has basic knowledge of various types of relations between religion and politics in modern societies
• has acquaintance with some methods and methodological problems and a selection of theoretical perspectives used as scientific and scholarly tools in the analysis of religion and politics
• has the capability of putting the knowledge about religion and politics in relation to the history of religions in general
• has knowledge about new and earlier research and about important issues relevant for the study of religion and politics, pertaining to the social sciences as well as to the humanities

Skills:

The student

• has the capability of analysing a complex theme and of drawing conclusions of one¿s own
• has the capability of critically examining theories and methods
• has the capability of writing a coherent analytical text, thereby demonstrating a capacity for using the norms and techniques of academic writing

General competence:

The student

• has practice in handling large quantities of information and literature within a short time period, and of interpreting and presenting information

The student should have a sound knowledge of English since the course literature and the lectures are in English

Due to course overlap, students cannot take RELV228 as well as RELV328.

If combined, the outcome of credits will be reduced with 15 ECTS credits.

Form of assessment:

• School exam (written) of 6 hours

The test consists of an essay as well as 10 questions to be answered briefly. Both the essay and the questions have to fill a minimum requirement for the student to pass the exam. The minimum requirement for the questions is 5 points (each of the 10 questions can give 0, 0,5 or 1 point). The 10 questions count as 20% and the essay as 80% of the total score.

Autumn.

There will also be assessment early spring semester (only for students with valid mandatory course requirements, if any), given that the course is instructed the semester before.

The reading list runs to about 1000-1500 pages.

The reading list is published by June 1st. for the autumn semester and by December 1st. for the spring semester. 

Study Advisor: mailto:studierettleiar@ahkr.uib.nostudierettleiar@ahkr.uib.no

Administration of examination: mailto:eksamen@ahkr.uib.noeksamen@ahkr.uib.no