Christianity in Contemporary China and India

ECTS Credits

5 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Teaching semester

Spring

Place of Instruction

Online course, and therefore not restricted to Bergen.

Objectives and Content

The purpose of the course is to understand Christianity as a religious minority in modern and contemporary China and India. In both countries minimum two percent of the national population professes adherence to one or the other variety of Christianity, centered geographically on some regions more than others. In both countries, Christianity has a long history, going back more than a millennium, and in both countries Colonialism and Imperialism have boosted the status of this religion. In recent years, in contrast, several Christian groups have faced discrimination, repression, and acts of violence.

The course will provide an introduction to the history of Christianity in both countries, to the main varieties of the religion, discuss the respective legal frameworks and contentious issues and shed light on characteristic forms of the religion in terms of discourses, practices, and material cultures.

Learning Outcomes

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

• can describe the historical trajectories of Christianity in China and India
• can give a basic outline of the challenges and opportunities faced by different Christian groups in both countries
• can outline specific forms of discourse, practices, and material cultures of Christianities in China and India

Skills:

The student

• can compare the situation of Christianities in India and China
• can articulate this in a comparative essay
• can critically assess other students' ideas and observations through peer-reviews

General competence:

The student

• can analyze, assess, and articulate the reasons for the emergence, decline and resilience of religious minorities in societies
• can problematize stereotypes about religious minorities

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Recommended Previous Knowledge

The course literature is in English. Students should therefore have a sound knowledge of English.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Access to the Course

Admission to the Master¿s Programme Religious Minorities or other Master¿s Programmes at the UiB.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching and student activities in this course will entirely take place online.

Examples

• short introductory videos
• readings
• following each video/reading there will be a short quiz, that tests the students basic understanding of the video/reading
• individual feedback on discussion postings and essays from the instructor
• participation in online discussions

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

In this course the following compulsory requirements have to be approved in order to sit for the examination:

• Course quizzes following videos and/or texts. There will be 1-5 quizzes per week, and successful completion of at least 70 % of the quizzes is required.
• An outline (minimum 500 words) of the final essay (see below, under vurderingsformer) shall be posted 10 days before delivery date.
• comments on essays of other students (peer-reviewed assignments)

Compulsory requirements are evaluated with "approved/not approved."

Forms of Assessment

The examination consists of one essay of 2000 words. The essay shall provide a comparative discussion of one theme or group with reference to China and India respectively.

Examination Support Material

-

Grading Scale

A graded marking scale (A to F) is used. A is the top grade and F means Failed.

Assessment Semester

The course is normally assessed in the teaching semester only.

Reading List

The reading list consists of around 600 to 800 pages.

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

Course Evaluation

The course unit will be evaluated regularly.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee for The Study of Religion

Course Coordinator

The Programme Committee for The Study of Religion

Course Administrator

Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion (AHKR)