Religion and racism SAM5025

SAM5025 Religion and racism aims to give students an advanced understanding of the relationship between religion and racism. The course sees both «religion» and «racism» as concepts that change through history and between geographical contexts. More over, the two terms have been important in shaping each other. The course addresses four aspects of this relationship.

How the two terms are historically entangled, investigating studies of how the concepts of «religion» and «race» accumulated their meanings over time. Studies of the relationship between colonialism, religion and racism are crucial. How the two have been mobilised as legitimation for each other. Primarily how religion has been, and is, used to motivate and shape racist acts and speech. How religion has been used to mobilise and shape anti-racism. How racism has been, and is, directed towards religions and religious identities.

The course will examine these themes worldwide, with an emphasis on Norway and Europe.

The course engages historical, contemporary, empirical and theoretical material to gain a useful and precise understanding of this complex relationship.

About the study

Study requirements

To take the final examinations, the student must:

- take an active part in a minimum of 75% of the formal teaching activities.

- have approved 8 short reading responses, normally in the format of a short video, following guidelines detailed in Canvas.

- 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

Final assessment/Exam

Six hour school exam, with selected materials made available. Graded A-F.

Learning outcome

The student has:

Advanced knowledge of studies of historical entanglement of religion and racism Advanced knowledge of studies of contemporary entanglement of religion and racism when religious identities are shaped and othered. Good knowledge of studies of religious legitimation of racism Good knowledge of studies of religious legitimation of anti-racism.

The student can:

Critically analyse and discuss advanced international research articles about religion and racism Reflect on the significance of positionality and varied experience in studying and discussing religion and racism, and the significance of learning and developing insights from research and the experiences of others. Apply research based knowledge and precise analytical tools to contemporary debates about racism and religion

Course Coordinator

Iversen, Lars Åsmund Laird

Associate Professor

Lars.L.Iversen@mf.no

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