- Course code: SAM5010
- Credits: 10
- Semester: Autumn
- Language: English
Study program affiliation:
Theories of Religion SAM5010
This required course surveys how scholars have tried to define and theorize religion as an object of academic study. The course includes both the foundations of the discipline 100 years ago and new approaches in common use today.
SAM5010 consists of three thematic blocks.
- In Block One, students will be introduced to three of the core thinkers in the sociological study of religion: Durkheim, Weber, and Marx. We will read both introductory materials, excerpts from their original writings, and examples of how their ideas are used today.
- In Block Two, we turn to problems of defining religion, surveying functionalist, essentialist, and constructivist models of religion.
- In Block Three, students will integrate and apply what they have learned by exploring the contemporary approach to the study of religion known as Lived Religion, practicing analysing and interpreting religion as presented in popular media.
SAM5010 Theories of Religion is an obligatory course in the Master’s program Religion in Contemporary Society.
Study requirements
In order to receive a final assessment, the student must:
- Take an active part in at least 75% of class sessions.
- Have approved a portfolio of home exercises submitted week by week.
- Pass a short written assessment task (800-1000 words)
- 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 is a portfolio consisting of revised versions of the home exercises submitted as course requirements. The course is assessed with grades A-F.
To gain credits for the course the student must fulfill the course requirements.
Exam dates
- Submission date:
- 25. November 2024
- Submission deadline:
- 12:00
- Final deadline to withdraw from examination:
- 1. November 2024
- Release date for results:
- 16. December 2024
Portfolio assessment - Ordinary exam
- Submission date:
- 20. January 2025
- Submission deadline:
- 12:00
- Final deadline to withdraw from examination:
- 5. January 2025
- Release date for results:
- 3. February 2025
Portfolio assessment - New/deferred exam N.B. Own rules for access
Learning outcome
KNOWLEDGE
The student has:
- thorough knowledge of Durkheim, Weber, and Marx's theories of religion
- thorough knowledge of how inherited theories of religion are engaged or critiqued today
- thorough knowledge of the problem of defining religion and of different types of definitions
- good knowledge of Lived Religion approaches and how to apply them
- good knowledge of the core texts at the basis of the sociological study of religion
- good knowledge of continuity and change in the sociological study of religion
SKILLS
The student can:
- use appropriate technologies to build a source-table in order to be able to compare and contrast key points efficiently
- analyze and interpret cases using the theories they have learned
- effectively collect, sort, and sequence relevant evidence and documentation to build an argument
Overlapping courses
SAM5010 Theories of Religion overlaps partly with RL5110 Current Debates in the Study of Religion. Students who have already completed RL5110 will receive 5 credit points (ECTS) for SAM5010 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
