General provisions

The course is included in the Master's Programme in Religion in Peace and Conflict.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree where the main field of study consists of at least 90 credits in theology, law, history, philosophy, linguistics, educational sciences, social sciences or the equivalent. The main field of study should include an independent project of at least 15 credits.

Learning outcomes

The general aim of the course is to provide the student with a good knowledge concerning different religious traditions in relation to political activism and related power structures.

After completion, the student is expected to be able to:

• demonstrate a good knowledge of religion as a concept, the relationship between canon and tradition, pluralism and practices;
• explain tensions at work between religion and politics through the use and adaption of adequate theoretical perspectives;
• identify and analyse political conflicts in reference to religious traditions and the agents involved in those conflicts;
• demonstrate a self-critical approach in relation to different views and positions concerning complex conflicts;
• critically reflect upon his or her own opinions and values regarding Religion, Power and Politics

Content

The course studies the relationship between religion and politics, and seeks to identify power structures that evolve from different types of interaction. Focus is placed on the processes that result in various expressions of oppression – racism, fundamentalism, religiously motivated violence, etc. – but the course also aims at identifying those cases where religion and politics in interaction might create ideological fundaments with an ambition and sometimes ability to fight such destructive cultural and societal phenomena.

Instruction

The course is a distance-learning course. The students must fulfil written assignment and on-line seminar within specified time. Contact between teachers and students takes place via a learning platform. Students have the right to compensate for one missed assignment or seminar. An Internet connect computer is essential.

Assessment

The course is assessed on the basis of active participation in seminar discussions and written assignments. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other regulations

Please note that the stated teaching methods may be replaced by self-studies if there is a very low number of students.

Transitional provisions

Students retain the right to be examined on the course according to this syllabus for 3 semesters after their course instance has ended. Normally, instruction will be given according to the latest version of the course syllabus only.