INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RELIGION
| Title | ΕΙΣΑΓΩΓΗ ΣΤΗ ΘΡΗΣΚΕΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ / INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RELIGION |
| Code | Υ303 |
| Faculty | Theology |
| School | Social Theology and Christian Culture |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Winter |
| Coordinator | Apostolos Kralidis |
| Common | Yes |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 60005058 |
| Academic Year | 2016 – 2017 |
| Class Period | Winter |
| Faculty Instructors |
|
| Weekly Hours | 2 |
| Total Hours | 26 |
| Class ID | 600055350
|
Class Schedule
| Building | Θεολογική |
| Floor | Όροφος 1 |
| Hall | ΑΜΦΙΘΕΑΤΡΟ Δ (94) |
| Calendar | Δευτέρα 09:00 έως 11:00 |
Course Type 2016-2020
- Background
- General Knowledge
- Scientific Area
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600055350
- At the Website of the School:
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
Learning Outcomes
Students are expected that during the course will
• understand the theoretical pillars of Religiοus Studies as a science and specificities for the approach.
• Relate theory with practice in the interpretation of religion as a cultural phenomenon.
• become familiar with the organization and presentation of ranking methods and separation of religions.
• learn several ways of collecting data for understanding the religious phenomenon in local communities.
• practice in analyzing and interpreting qualitative data about religions.
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Adapt to new situations
- Work in an interdisciplinary team
- Generate new research ideas
- Appreciate diversity and multiculturality
- Demonstrate social, professional and ethical commitment and sensitivity to gender issues
- Be critical and self-critical
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
The course presents a) the science of Religious Studies, as it developed after the mid-19th century. and beyond (historical presentation, schools, trends) b) develops principles and positions regarding the phenomenon of religion, directions of Religious Studies and sub-sectors of the History of Religions, Comparative Religion and Phenomenology of Religion.
1. Religious Studies as Science. Introduction.
2. The study of religion over time. Methodological approaches.
3. The approach of religion as a phenomenon of culture from antiquity to the 19th century. Traditional perspectives.
4. Studying the polysemy of religion within local societies: anthropological, sociological, political and economic approaches.
5. The modern form of Religious Studies. Trends and perspectives.
6. Sectors of Religious Studies:
a. History of religions.
b. Comparative Religion.
c. Phenomenology of religion.
7. The problem of defining religion.
8. Classification-Types of religions.
9. How people experience religion. Perspectives in the study of religion:
a phenomenological approaches.
b psychological approaches.
10. Judging Religion: Critical perspectives and evaluations.
11. Studying religion itself: Perspectives and conclusions.
a Historical approaches.
b. Comparative approaches.
12. Ritual (meaning and significance).
13. The concept of the sacred in religions.
Keywords
Religious Studies, Study of Religion, branches of Religious Studies, History of Religions, Comparative Religion, Phenomenology of religion, definition of religion, classification-types of religions, ritual, sacred.
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
- Multimedia
- Book
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
Description
The use of ICT are made in the auditorium at the time of teaching with use of the computer (viewing text, audio, moving images) in PowerPoint environment and also with a parallel use of multimedia via links (links) from the Internet. All necessary infrastructure is provided by the University and there are relevant multimedia equipment in each classroom. It also possible to access databases and data banks via digital library and all the active digital subscriptions of AUTH. Finally, students can communicate, seek information and hand over their homework through electronic mail (e-mail).
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | ✓ | ||||
| Reading Assigment | ✓ | ||||
| Total |
Student Assessment
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Oral Exams (Formative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
1. Braun W., McCutcheon R., Εγχειρίδιο Θρησκειολογίας, Εκδόσεις Βάνια, Θεσσαλονίκη 2003.
2. Καρυώτογλου Α., Σπουδή στη Θρησκειολογία, Εκδόσεις Γρηγόρης, Αθήνα 2006.
3. Sharpe, E.J., Συγκρητική Θρησκειολογία: Ιστορική Εισαγωγή, Εκδόσεις Άρτος Ζωής, Αθήνα 2008.
Additional bibliography for study
Antes, P.- Geertz, A. W.- Warne, R. R. (eds.), New Approaches to the Study of Religion, vols I-II, Berlin-New york:Walter de Gruyter, 2004
Caillois, R., Man and the Sacred. Glencoe IL: Free Press, 1959.
Campbell, J., The Power Of Myth. New York: Doubleday, 1988.
Capps, W. H., Ways of Understanding Religion. New York: Macmillan, . 1972.
De Vries, J., The Study of Religion: A Historical Approach. New York: Harcourt, 1967.
Devine, G., ed., New Dimensions in Religious Experience. Staten Island: Alba, 1971.
Dubuisson, D., The Western Construction of Religion: Myths, Knowledge and Ideology. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins, 2003.
Ellwood, R. S., Introducing Religion: From Inside and Outside. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1978.
Fitzgerald, T., The Ideology of Religious Studies. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Hayes, V. C., (ed.), Religious Experience in World Religions. Bedford Park SA: AASR, 1980.
Hinnells, J. R. (ed.), The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion, London-New York:Routledge, 2005.
Masuzawa, T., The Invention of World Religions, or How European Universalism was Preserved in the Language of Pluralism. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 2005.
Monk, R. C. et al., Exploring Religious Meaning. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1974.
Noss, J. B., Man's Religion. London: Collier Macmillan, 1974.
Preus, J. S., Explaining Religion: Criticism and Theory from Bodin to Freud. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1996.
Smart, N., The Phenomenon of Religion. London: Macmillan (Seabury), 1973.
Smart, N., The Religious Experience of Mankind. London: Collins, 1971.
Smart, N., The Science of Religion and the Sociology of Knowledge. Princeton NJ: Princeton Univ. Press, 1974.
Smith, J. Z., Realting Religion. Essays in the Study of Religion, Chicago-London: The University of Chicago Press, 2004.
Streng, F. J., and et al., Ways of Being Religious. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1973.
Taylor, M. C., (ed.), Critical Terms for Religious Studies, Chicago-London:The University of Chicago Press, 1998.
Van der Leeuw, G., Religion in Essence and Manifestation: A Study in Phenomenology. 2 Vols. Torchbooks. New York: Harper & Row, 1963.
Waardenburg, J., Classical Approaches to the Study of Religion. 2 vols. The Hague: Mouton, 1973.
Wach, J., Types of Religious Experience: Christian and Non-Christian. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1972.
Zaehner, R. C., Sacred and Profane Mysticism. London: OUP, 1961.
Last Update
25-02-2020
