- Course code: RL1012
- Credits: 10
- Semester: Autumn
- Language: English
Study program affiliation:
Introduction to Religious Studies and Hinduism and Buddhism RL1012
This course is no longer offered. Students who have the right to take or retake the exam in this course can contact the study counselor.
This course consists of two parts:
Part A: Religious Studies (5 ECTS)
Part A will provide basic introduction to Religious Studies, offering an introduction to leading themes and concepts in the study of religions from the ancient world to the present. The course focuses on two core questions: (1) what is religion? and (2) how is religion studied?
Part B: Hinduism and Buddhism (5 ECTS)
Hinduism and Buddhism are among the oldest and largest religious traditions in the world. They both originated in India, but have later spread across Asia. Since the 19the century they are global religions, with adherents across the world. This part of the course will provide basic introduction to both Hinduism and Buddhism, introducing the students to basic cosmologies, concepts and teachings.
Study requirements
In order to receive a final assessment, the student must:
- Take part in a minimum of 60% of the lectures
- Submit and receive approval for one essay (900-1200 words each) by the due date (see the syllabus for details on the topic of the essays and the due date).The essay must include at least two correctly formulated references and a separate bibliography.
- Pass a short test.
- Participate in the in-depth evaluation of the course if such evaluation is stipulated in the relevant term.
When course requirements are not fulfilled, this will count as one examination attempt, unless the student withdraws before the set deadline (1 November).
Final assessment/Exam
The final assessment for this course is based on one written school exam (4 hours). The course and final exam will be graded A-F.
Examination support material permitted on the exam: List F2. Link to overview over support material lists: https://www2.mf.no/dokumenter/studier/eksamen/hjelpemidler_eksamen.pdf
Learning outcome
Part A: Religious Studies
KNOWLEDGE
The student has:
- good understanding of the discipline of Religious Studies
- good knowledge of relevant theories of religion.
- good knowledge of different definitions of religion
- good knowledge of different methodological approaches to the study of religion
SKILLS
The student can:
- analyse and discuss how the discipline of Religious Studies compares to other disciplines
- analyse different definitions of 'religion'
- analyse classifications and typologies of religion
- give and discuss the basic components of religion
- analyse how different methodologies matter for how we understand religion
- discuss the 'insider/outsider' problem in the study of religion
Part B: Hinduism and Buddhism
KNOWLEDGE
The student has:
- good overview of the historical developments of Hinduism and Buddhism
- good overview of sacred scriptures in Hinduism and Buddhism
- good knowledge of basic philosophical and theological traditions in Hinduism
- good knowledge of basic Buddhist teachings
- good understanding of ritual practices and festivals in both Hinduism and Buddhism
SKILLS
The student can:
- discuss basic developments in Indian religious history
- discuss basic Hindu theology and basic philosophical positions in Hinduism
- discuss basic Buddhist teachings such as the Four Noble Truths
- provide basic overviews of Hindu and Buddhist sacred scriptures
- discuss the importance of ritual practices and festivals in Hinduism and Buddhism
Overlapping courses
RL1012 overlaps partly with RL1011 World Religions. Students who have already completed RL1011 will receive 5 credit points (ECTS) for RL1012 on their transcript of records or diploma.
Reading list
Here you can find the reading list for this course.
Part of the literature will be available digitally, while other parts might only be available in paper format. Some of the literature will be available as compendiums, which you can find via the course room in Canvas.
You will automatically get access to literature that is available digitally when you are sitting at MF, otherwise you can get access by using Oria or by using "External access" in the library's list of databases.
Note that it will take some time before link to the reading list is updated. Please make sure that you are looking at the correct semester's reading list.
Course responsible
