Summer Course in Zoroastrian Studies

ECTS Credits

7,5

Level of Study

Bachelor's and Master's level

Teaching semester

Spring/summer and autumn (assessment in Autumn).

In 2023, the teaching will take place in week 26.

Place of Instruction

Norwegian Institute in Rome

Objectives and Content

This summer course, jointly arranged by the University of Bergen (Norway) and SOAS (UK), provides in-depth insight into selected relevant aspects of Zoroastrianism. Each year, the course focuses on a different main topic, which will be announced during spring. Topics can for example include different periods of and contexts for Zoroastrian history, bodies of primary or secondary sources, Zoroastrian hermeneutics, visions of the past and the future, gender, architecture, arts and material cultures, formations of identity, exchanges with and impacts on other religions, the history of the study of Zoroastrianism.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the participants have gained the following learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence

Knowledge

• The student has gained knowledge on a selected aspect of Zoroastrianism.
• The student has obtained knowledge on matters of theory and method related to the study of Zoroastrianism.

Skills

• The student has the ability to present results of reading to the class.
• The student has the ability to write a coherent analytical text on a given topic.

• The student is able to use the standard techniques of academic writing.

General competence

• The student is able to interact with students from other countries.
• The student is able to actively participate in classroom discussions on unfamiliar topics.

Required Previous Knowledge

60 ECTS at university level on any subject.

Good command in English.¿

Recommended Previous Knowledge

MOOC «Zoroastrianism: History, Religion, and Belief» on Futurelearn.com (www.futurelearn.com/courses/zoroastrianism-history-religion-belief)

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

Full overlap with ZOR200

Access to the Course

This course is open to students registered in BA- and MA-programs at any university worldwide. There will be an admission process, based on at motivational letter and educational background.

Teaching and learning methods

Classroom activities comprise lectures, student presentations, and classroom discussions. In addition to classroom activities, students are required to do preparatory readings and to write a term paper.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Active participation on all days while teaching goes on in Rome is compulsory and will need to be approved by the convenors.

Forms of Assessment

Forms of assessment:

- Classroom presentation of an essay in English of approx. 1,500 words on an assigned topic based on the reading list. The presentation should be written prior to attending the teaching sessions.

- Approx. 3,000 word term paper in English on a different topic than the classroom presentation. The topic will have to be approved by the convenor.

The essay and the term paper are weighted equally (50/50) when the final grade is set.

Examination Support Material

None

Grading Scale

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

Assessment Semester

Autumn

Reading List

The reading list will be published by April 1. Typically, the list will comprise primary and secondary sources and academic literature.

Course Evaluation

The summer course will be evaluated regularly.¿

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee for the Study of Religions at University of Bergen in Coordination with SOAS.

Course Coordinator

The Programme Committee for the Study of Religions at University of Bergen in Coordination with SOAS.

Course Administrator

Department of archaeology, history, cultural studies and religion, University of Bergen