Religion and Art

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Bachelor

Full-time/Part-time

Full time

Teaching semester

Autumn, but not regularly

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

The aim of this course is to give an introduction to:

• the main types of two- and three-dimensional art and of architecture within Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam;
• the most important differences in views of art within these five religions;
• convictions and debates about art within these five religions;
• methods and theoretical perspectives in the study of religion and art;
• how religious art is used in popular culture and advertising; and
• how religious art is used in the criticism of religions

RELV233 is an optional unit within the Bachelor´s Programme in the Study of Religions.

Learning Outcomes

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

Knowledge:

The student

• has general knowledge about the main types of art, different views of art, and convictions and debates about art within Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• has general knowledge about methods and theoretical perspectives in the study of religious art.
• has knowledge about how religious art is used in popular culture, advertising, and in the criticism of religions.
• has the capability of analysing religious art with the help of some central methods and theoretical perspectives from the History of Religions and the History of Art.
• has the capability of putting the knowledge about religious art in relation to wider contexts within the History of Religions.

Skills:

The student

• has the capability of analysing subject-matters in English and of drawing conclusions of one´s own.
• has the capability of critically examining methods and theoretical perspectives used in the study of religious art.
• has the capability of writing a coherent analytical text about religious art, thereby demonstrating a capacity for using the norms and techniques of academic writing.
• has the capability of conveying information about the subject field to others, both in writing and orally.

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.

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Recommended Previous Knowledge

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

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

RELV233 overlaps with RELV333, and the two courses cannot be combined. If combined, the outcome of credits will be reduced with 15 ECTS credits.

Access to the Course

The course is open to students enrolled in the University of Bergen

Teaching and learning methods

Approximately 10 lectures à two hours plus 5 seminars à four hours, 40 hours in all.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

None

Forms of Assessment

Written school exam (up to 3000 words) of 6 hours

The test consists of an essay as well as 10 questions to be answered briefly. The 10 questions count as 20% and the essay as 80% of the total score.

Examination Support Material

You are permitted to use a non-encyclopedic dictionary between your own language and English.You may bring your own dictionary to the exam location. The teacher will check the dictionary at the exam location.

Grading Scale

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

Assessment Semester

Autumn (semester of instruction)

There will also be assessment early in the spring semester following the semester of instruction.

Reading List

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.

Course Evaluation

The course unit will be evaluated regularly.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee for The Study of Religions

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)