General provisions

The course is offered within the Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action 120 ECTS credits and is only available to exchange students from partner universities in the Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA).

Entry requirements

The course is only available to exchange students from partner universities in the Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA).

Learning outcomes

The course aims to show the impact religion can have in humanitarian action. Successful completion of the course means that students will have:

• an understanding of different ways to define and understand religion as a social phenomenon;
• knowledge of the key tenets of at least one religion;
• knowledge of religion’s importance in different societies including political culture;
• knowledge of how religion can impact conflicts and peace-building efforts;
• knowledge of different religious humanitarian actors;
• an ability to analyse the impact religion has on humanitarian relief;
• an ability to critically and constructively explain religion’s impact on humanitarian relief and communicate this analysis orally and in writing.

Content

The course focuses on the benefits and challenges that religion poses to the humanitarian field, including the contribution that religion can have for initiating and sustaining conflicts and how religious actors can contribute to peace-building efforts.

Instruction

The teaching on this campus course includes both lectures and seminars. Attendance at seminars and at least 75% of lectures is compulsory. Students who miss seminars must compensate this absence. In general, students who miss more than 25% of lectures must also compensate. However, students who are absent for substantially more than 25% of lectures must instead take part in lectures the next time the course is provided. Participation in all lectures is highly encouraged since the lectures facilitate reading and analysis of the course literature.

The language of instruction is English.

Assessment

The course is examined through a written paper and individual and group presentations. Grade: VG, G or U (Pass with Distinction, Pass or Fail) as well as ECTS grades.

Transitional provisions

Students on a course regulated by this syllabus have the right to be examined for up to two years after their course instance has ended, and in accordance with this syllabus. In exceptional circumstances, they may also be examined later. Normally, instruction will only be given according to the latest version of the course syllabus.