Religion and the City

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Bachelor

Teaching semester

Autumn

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

The course aims to offer a discussion of major themes related to the study of religions in urban contexts, with a focus on South Asian and European cities. The aim of the course is to look at places and practices of religions in modern urban landscapes, at the dynamics of religious spaces in culturally diverse urban agglomerations, as well as at the production of urban religious localities. The course also provides an introduction into methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of religions in urban environments.

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 a general knowledge of major themes related to the study of urban religion; a general knowledge of central spatial concepts connected to religion in urban contexts; a general knowledge of methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of urban religion

Skills:

The student

• has the capability of analyzing and drawing conclusions of one¿s own in connection with complex themes, and the capability of producing a text in accordance with the relevant rules for academic writing

General competence:

The student

• has the ability of working with larger amounts of material within a limited time period, and the ability of synthesizing and presenting it

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Recommended Previous Knowledge

None

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

Due to course overlap, students cannot take RELV237 in combination with RELV337. 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 (20 hours)

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

A review of one of the books from the compulsory reading list (up to 750 words).

Compulsory assignments and attendance are evaluated with "approved"/"not approved".

Compulsory requirements of this course are valid for a duration of two semesters; the teaching semester when approved, and the following semester.

Forms of Assessment

• A 5-day take-home examination of approximately 3000 words at the end of the semester
• A mid-term essay of up to 3000 words. Date of delivery and topic will be announced on Mitt UiB

The take-home examination counts for 50%, the mid-term essay for 50% of the final course grade

Examination Support Material

None

Grading Scale

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

Assessment Semester

Autumn.

There will also be assessment early spring semester, given that the course is instructed the semester before.

Reading List

The reading list consists of 1200-1500 pages.

The reading list is published by June 1st for the autumn 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 Religion (AHKR)

Course Administrator

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