Religion and Music

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The objective of the course is to give an introduction to:

  • the main types of music (recitation, other forms of vocal music, other forms of ritual music) within Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam;
  • the most important differences in views of music within these five religions;
  • convictions and debates about music within these five religions;
  • methods and theoretical perspectives in the study of religion and music;
  • how religious music is used in popular culture and advertising; and
  • how religious music is used in the criticism of religions.

RELV234 is an optional unit within the Bachelor´s Programme in the Study of Religions.

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 general knowledge about the main types of music, different views of music, and convictions and debates about music within Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
  • has general knowledge about methods and theoretical perspectives in the study of religious music.
  • has knowledge about how religious music is used in popular culture, advertising, and in the criticism of religions.
  • has the capability of analysing religious music with the help of some central methods and theoretical perspectives from the History of Religions and Musicology.
  • has the capability of putting the knowledge about religious music 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 theories and methods used in the study of religious music.
  • has the capability of writing a coherent analytical text about religious music, 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.

Full-time/Part-time

Full time

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Autumn, but not regularly.

Place of Instruction

Bergen
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
RELV234 overlaps with RELV334, 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.

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

Autumn (the semesters 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 1200-1500 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.
Examination Support Material

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

Headsets will be handed out in the exam location, you cannot use your own headsets or earplugs.

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)