Religion and the City

Postgraduate course

Course description

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

ECTS Credits

15 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Autumn

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge
None
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

Due to course overlap, students cannot take RELV337 in combination with RELV237

If combined, the outcome of credits will be reduced with 15 ECTS credits.

Access to the Course
The course is open to all Master's students matriculated at 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 two semesters; the 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.

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

The exam assignment will be given in English.

The exam can be submitted in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

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 (autumn).

Reading List

The reading list consists of 1200-1500 pages.

The reading list is published by July 1st for the autumn semester.

Course Evaluation
The course unit will be evaluated regularly.
Examination Support Material
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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 Religion (AHKR)
Course Administrator
Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies, and Religion (AHKR)