Discrimination Against Religious Minorities Worldwide

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

Discrimination against religious minorities is not the exception but ubiquitous in countries across the word. Discrimination is here understood as restrictions imposed on religious minorities by the state or state authorities - in particular restrictions that are not imposed on majority religions. This course explores different causes for such discrimination and the different forms it takes. The course takes a cross-cultural and cross-religious approach by looking at a variety of different countries and political systems, different religious majority cultures, and a broad range of religious minorities.

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

  • has thorough knowledge of the main forms of religious discrimination across the world.
  • has advanced knowledge of the main causes of religious discrimination against religious minorities.
  • can critically distinguish between the ways religious discrimination operates in different political systems and different majoritarian religious cultures.
  • can compare in detail two particular cases of religious discrimination.

Skills:

The student

  • can analyze critically factors and forms of religious discrimination.
  • can use relevant methods and research to formulate research questions relating to religious discrimination.

General competence:

The student

  • can communicate about cases of religious discrimination in a balanced and analytical language and terminology representative of the research field.
  • can apply his or her knowledge and skills to work with relevant data sets on religious discrimination.

ECTS Credits

5 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Autumn

Place of Instruction

Online course
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.
Teaching and learning methods

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

EXAMPLES

  • short introductory videos
  • assigned reading and quizzes related to the reading
  • researching background information
  • individual feedback on submitted materials 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 that test the students¿ command of the prescribed course material, and successful completion of at least 70% online quizzes. On average two quizzes per week
  • Researching a bibliography of relevant sources for an assigned case of religious discrimination
  • Giving a five-minute digital (video) presentation of one case of religious discrimination

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

Forms of Assessment
A comparative essay co-written by minimally two students where each is responsible for a part comprising 1.800 to 2.200 words The comparison can be built around two countries and two religions.
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 approximately 300 pages. For the essay, students will need to find additional readings and sources.

The reading list is published by June 1st. for the autumn semester and 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 Religions, Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies- and Religions (AHKR)
Course Administrator
Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies- and Religion (AHKR)