Required prerequisite knowledge

Completed 60 ECTS in Intercultural Studies or similar (social sciences, humanities, journalism, social studies or teacher education).

Relevance within study programme

Elective course within the Intercultural Competence Bachelor program.

Learning outcomes descriptors

On completion of the course, the candidate should have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student:

• has knowledge about the significance of transnational religious communities, both locally and globally
• has knowledge about the significance of – and changes in – religious belonging and religious community in relation to migration processes and diaspora
• has knowledge about the challenges and possibilities related to religious pluralism and multicultural religious diversity
• has knowledge about the significance of religion in issues related to diversity, equality, and inclusion
• has knowledge about the connections between religion and politics in a transnational perspective
• has knowledge about the significance of religion in conflict and peacebuilding
• has knowledge regarding conflicts between religion and secularity

Skills

The student:

• can reflect on the significance of transnational religious community and belonging, both locally and globally
• can critically reflect on the politicization of religion and religion’s political salience
• can employ appropriate academic perspectives in the analysis of challenges and opportunities connected to transnational religion, religious pluralism, and multicultural religious diversity
• can employ appropriate academic perspectives in the analysis of challenges and opportunities connected to religion, conflict, and peacebuilding

General competence

The student:

• has insight into opportunities and challenges connected to religion and spirituality in a global, national, and local perspective
• can exchange viewpoints with others in this field and participate in discussions on the development of good practices connected to this field
• can present and discuss academic perspectives on this field of knowledge, both in writing and orally, in a reflective and culturally sensitive way
• has intercultural competence linked to religious dimensions of intercultural understanding and interactions

Content

In the media, religion is often associated with conflict, but for a majority of the world's population, religion is a natural part of daily life. Religion is linked to membership in certain communities, and is important on many levels, from individual and collective identity to national and global politics. Knowledge of religion is therefore increasingly necessary to understand diversity and manage important challenges locally, nationally, and globally.

The course IKF219E Religion, diversity, and transnational processes aims to enable students to understand the meaning of religion and deal with religious diversity in a multicultural and global world in an informed way. The course focuses on religion as a practice in both historical and contemporary contexts. Through empirical analysis of examples from many parts of the world, the course provides insight into the importance of transnational communities locally and globally, changes in religious affiliation and community, as well as challenges and opportunities related to religious diversity. The subject further addresses connections between religion and politics in a transnational perspective, and the importance of religion in conflict and peacebuilding. The growth of politicized religion challenges notions that the world is becoming increasingly secularised. The subject provides knowledge about interactions and conflicts between religion and ideas about the secular. Through the readings and various forms of work and assessment, the student's knowledge, critical reflection, intellectual empathy, and intercultural competence are developed in order to understand and contribute constructively in discussion with other people's perspectives and understandings of reality.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and seminars.

Scope

Approximately 300 hours.

Coursework requirements

The following course requirements must be fulfilled for the student to have the right to take the exam:

• Mandatory attendance (at least 80%)
• Active participation in an oral group presentation
• An academic log of approximately 2000 word (+/- 15%), following given criteria

If the group work/oral presentation is not approved, the student will have one additional opportunity for an oral presentation in the same semester. If the academic log is not approved, the student will have one new submission opportunity in the same semester.

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved/ not approved

Final assessment

Oral exam of approximately 30 minutes with two days preparation time.

Grading, examination

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Permitted aids under examination

None

Assessment language

English

Course evaluation

A course evaluation will be carried out in line with NLA’s quality system.

Reading list and academic resources

Book Chapter

Secularization, Enlightenment, and Modern Religion
Casanova, José, Secularization, Enlightenment, and Modern Religion, Chicago, Ill., University of Chicago Press, X, 320 s., 1994, 11-39, isbn:0226095347; 0226095355; 9780226095356,
View online

Book Chapter

The Anatomy of the Myth
William T. Cavanaugh, The Anatomy of the Myth, New York, Oxford University Press, 2009, 3-56, isbn:9780195385045,

This book must be borrowed or purchased.

Book Chapter

Introduction
Mircea Eliade (1907-1986), Introduction, New York, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 256, 1959, 8-18, isbn:015679201X,
View online

Article

THE GOOD OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM
Berger, Peter L, New York, Institute of Religion and Public Life, 39-, First things (New York, N.Y.), 262, 2016-04-01, 39-42,
View online

Book Chapter

Finding Tactics and Making Space: The Individuals and the Communities
Nordin, Magdalena ; Otterbeck, Jonas, Finding Tactics and Making Space: The Individuals and the Communities, Cham, Springer Nature, 2023, 43-67, isbn:9783031307652,
View online

Book Chapter

The Return of Religion in the Public Sphere? The Public Role of Nordic Faith Communities
Furseth, Inger, The Return of Religion in the Public Sphere? The Public Role of Nordic Faith Communities, Germany, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 221-240, 2017, 221-240, isbn:9783110546323,
View online

Book Extract

The Role of Religion in Conflict and Peacebuilding
British Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences, 5-8,
View online

Book Chapter

Religion, Religions, Religious
Jonathan Z. Smith, Mark C Taylor (1945-) (redaktør), Religion, Religions, Religious, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, V, 423, 1998, 269-284, isbn:0226791564,
View online

Technical Report

Faith on the Move: The Religious Affiliation of International Migrants
Pew Research Center, Policy File, 2012-03-08,
View online

Book Chapter

The Invention of Religion
Cavanaugh, William T., The Invention of Religion, Oxford, Oxford University Press, VIII, 285 s., cop. 2009, 57-122, isbn:9780195385045,

Book Chapter

The Creation Myth of the Wars of Religion
Cavanaugh, William T., The Creation Myth of the Wars of Religion, Oxford, Oxford University Press, VIII, 285 s., cop. 2009, 123-180, isbn:9780195385045,

Book Chapter

Boundaries and Encounters
Vishanoff, D., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Boundaries and Encounters, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 341-364, isbn:9780191509650,
View online

Book Chapter

The Uses of the Myth
Cavanaugh, William T., The Uses of the Myth, Oxford, Oxford University Press, VIII, 285 s., cop. 2009, 181-230, isbn:9780195385045,

Book Chapter

Negotiating Space: Strategies of the European States and Politics of Religion
Nordin, Magdalena ; Otterbeck, Jonas, Negotiating Space: Strategies of the European States and Politics of Religion, Cham, Springer Nature, 2023, 69-85, isbn:9783031307652,
View online

Article

The Conquest of the Temple Scroll and the Creation of the Scholarly Text
Borchardt, Francis, Leiden | Boston, Brill, 31-51, Dead Sea discoveries : a journal of current research on the scrolls and related literature, 1, 31, 2024-02-01, 31-51,
View online

Book Chapter

INTRODUCTION: Endless War
Havrelock, Rachel, INTRODUCTION: Endless War, United States, Princeton University Press, 1-, 2020-06-30, 1-21, isbn:9780691198934,
View online

Book Chapter

Identification and Identity Formations around Shared Shrines in West Bank Palestine and Western Macedonia
Bowman, Glenn, Identification and Identity Formations around Shared Shrines in West Bank Palestine and Western Macedonia, Indiana University Press, 10-28, 2012-02-20, 10-28, isbn:9780253356338,
View online

Book Chapter

Religious Nationalism
Veer, Peter van der, Religious Nationalism, Berkeley, Calif., University of California Press, XVI, 247 s., 1994, 1-24, isbn:0520082567,

Book Chapter

Religion as Hallmark of Nationhood
Perica, Vjekoslav, Religion as Hallmark of Nationhood, New York, Oxford University Press, 2002-07-25, 165-185, isbn:9780195148565,
View online

Article

Invoking the nation, Strengthening Devotion: National Discourse in the Slovak National Pilgrimage
Alexander Bielicki, Slovakia, 80-81, 43, 2017, 105-129,

Article

Religion and nationalism: four approaches
BRUBAKER, ROGERS, Oxford, UK, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2-20, Nations and nationalism, 1, 18, 2012-01, 2-20,
View online

Book Chapter

Judaism and the Religious Other
Kessler, E., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Judaism and the Religious Other, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 64-87, isbn:9780191509650,
View online

Book Chapter

Christianity and the Religious Other
Schmidt-Leukel, P., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Christianity and the Religious Other, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 118-147, isbn:9780191509650,
View online

Book Chapter

Islam and the Religious Other
Thomas, D., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Islam and the Religious Other, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 148-172, isbn:9780191509650,
View online

Book Chapter

Interreligious Majority-Minority Dynamics
Phan, P.C. & Tan, J.Y., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Interreligious Majority-Minority Dynamics, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 218-240, isbn:9780191509650,
View online

Book Chapter

INTRODUCTION: Sharing Sacred Places—A Mediterranean Tradition
Couroucli, Maria, INTRODUCTION: Sharing Sacred Places—A Mediterranean Tradition, Indiana University Press, 1-9, 2012-02-20, 1-9, isbn:9780253356338,
View online

Article

Producing (Arti) Facts: Archaeology and Power during the British Mandate of Palestine
El-Haj, Nadia Abu, Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 33-61, Israel studies (Bloomington, Ind.), 2, 7, 2002-06-22, 33-61,
View online

Book

Nonviolence in the world's religions : a concise introduction
Jeffery D. Long (editor.), Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge, 138, 2022, isbn:1003006760,

Introduction and Chapters 5, 6, 7, & 8

This book must be borrowed or purchased.

Document

A common word between Us and You. A letter from 138 Muslim leaders to Christian leaders worldwide
2007,
View online

Document

A common word for the common good
Williams, Rowan.,
View online

Article

Negotiating Religious Differences: The Strategies of Interfaith Chaplains in Healthcare
Cadge, Wendy ; Sigalow, Emily, Hoboken, NJ, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 146-158, Journal for the scientific study of religion, 1, 52, 2013-03, 146-158,
View online

Book Chapter

Can religion revitalize civil society?: An institutional perspective
Wuthnow, Robert, Can religion revitalize civil society?: An institutional perspective, 191-209, 2003, 191-209, isbn:9780918954855,
View online

Article

A Climate for Justice? Faith-based Advocacy on Climate Change at the United Nations
Glaab, Katharina, Abingdon, Routledge, 1110-1124, Globalizations, 7, 14, 2017-11-10, 1110-1124,
View online

Book Chapter

Encounter as Conflict: Interfaith Peace-building
David (David A.) Cheetham (editor.), Encounter as Conflict: Interfaith Peace-building, New York, New York :, Oxford University Press, 1 online resource (viii, 448 pages), 2013.; ©2013, 262-280, isbn:0-19-964584-1; 0-19-150965-5,
View online

Article

Religion, Conviviality and Complex Diversity
Meintel, D., New Diversities, 1, 18, 2014, 23-36,
View online

Article

Reframing immigrant religious organizations and practices
Kivisto, Peter, 1-17, Nordic journal of religion and society, 1, 27, 2014, 1-17,
View online

Pamphlet

Multi-Religious Approaches to Integration
Lyck-Bowen, M., Owen, M.,
View online

Website

Guds hus

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