Religion and Music
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 15
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn
- Course code
- RELV234
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
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
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
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.
The exam assignment will be given in English.
The exam can be submitted in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading Scale
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 July 1st. for the autumn semester and by December 1st. for the spring semester.
Course Evaluation
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.