Theory and methodology in the study of religion(s) of the ancient and current world

Course Information
TitleΘεωρία και μεθοδολογία μελέτης της θρησκείας στον αρχαίο και σύγχρονο κόσμο / Theory and methodology in the study of religion(s) of the ancient and current world
Code208
FacultyTheology
SchoolTheology
Cycle / Level1st / Undergraduate
Teaching PeriodSpring
CoordinatorNikolaos panagiotis Roumpekas
CommonNo
StatusActive
Course ID60005501

Programme of Study: Anamorfōméno PPS Tmīmatos THeologías (2023-2024)

Registered students: 169
OrientationAttendance TypeSemesterYearECTS
KORMOSCompulsory Course215
Class Information
Academic Year2020 – 2021
Class PeriodSpring
Faculty Instructors
Weekly Hours4
Class ID
600165228
Course Type 2016-2020
  • Scientific Area
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
  • Face to face
Digital Course Content
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
  • Greek (Instruction, Examination)
  • English (Instruction, Examination)
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the course are able to: -Clarify the object of study of religion as an interesting aspect of a complex world of human social behavior -Distinguish those human behaviors which they see as the religious -Approach critically the religions of the ancient and modern world -Assess how and why an institution, a movement or a group end up being considered a religion -Integrate structurally the category "religion" in the wider complex system of human behavior
General Competences
  • Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
  • Adapt to new situations
  • Work autonomously
  • Work in teams
  • 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)
A. We are examining the issue: "What is the scientific study of religion?" An excellent response may be provided to this question by asking first "where is the study of religion practiced, by whom and with what purpose?" The answer(s), always dependent on the relevance of things and individual interests, can lead to very different paths and conclusions concerning different people. Another point of interest in our research is the “definition” and “classification” of religions. How can one actually define, classify and study religion(s)? One should find ideal answers to such questions, if they always keep in mind that their way of thinking and their research should be directly related to the environment in which they work and offer their services. This is a sine qua non factor. This context is definitely the public university, which is an institution related solely to the scientific research and way of thinking. It is only within this frame that one can approach religion(s) scientifically and draw acceptable conclusions that are free of generalizations and inaccuracies, providing in this way valid answers to the initial question of what the scientific study of religion is. B.Has there ever been what we call Greek religion? The question may be unnecessary, but it must be clear from the outset that Greek religion as a monolithic totality has never existed. When Greece emerged from the darkness of the past around 800 BC various communities - cities have been developed. Each city had its own pantheon in which some gods were more important than others, and some gods were never worshiped. Each city had its mythology, religious calendar, religious celebrations. Related topics considered in the course: - the concept of polytheism, piety, purity and pollution, - the representatives of the "sanctuary" - the role of the gender and especially of the woman - Alternative forms of Greek piety: mystic curts (Thesmophoria - worship of Dionysus) and mysteric cults(Eleusinian mysteries), "Orphic life".
Keywords
Scientific Study of Religion, Sui generis study of Religion, Religion, Definition, Classification, Comparison, Holy, Myth, Ritual.
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
Use Powerpoints during lessons. Cooperation with the students through E-Mails.
Course Organization
ActivitiesWorkloadECTSIndividualTeamworkErasmus
Lectures522.1✓✓✓
Reading Assigment602.4✓✓✓
Written assigments120.5✓✓✓
Exams20.1✓✓✓
Total1265.0
Student Assessment
Description
Exams (written-oral), or writing of papers. The degree of participation of the students in the class during the lectures of the Semester included in their final evaluation.
Student Assessment methods
  • Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Summative)
  • Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Summative)
  • Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Summative)
  • Written Assignment (Summative)
  • Oral Exams (Summative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
1α. Π. Παχής, Δήμητρος Δωρεαί. Θρησκεία,Εύρεση, Οικονομία στην Αρχαία Ελλάδα, Θεσσαλονίκη: Εκδόσεις Πανεπιστημίου Μακεδονίας, 2018. 1β. Σημειώσεις
Additional bibliography for study
A. 1. M. C. Taylor (ed.), 1998. Critical Terms for Religious Studies, Chicago-London:The University of Chicago Press. 2. W. Braun - R. McCutcheon (επιμ.), 2003. Εγχειρίδιο Θρησκειολογίας (μετ. Δ. Ξυγαλατάς. Επιμ. Π. Παχής), Θεσσαλονίκη: εκδόσεις Bάνιας. 3. P. Antes- A. W. Geertz- R. R. Warne (eds.), 2004. New Approaches to the Study of Religion, vols I-II, Berlin-New York: Walter de Gruyter. 4. J. Z. Smith, 2004. Relating Religion. Essays in the Study of Religion, Chicago-London: The University of Chicago Press. 5. J. R. Hinnells (ed.), 2005. The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion, London-New York: Routledge. 6. W. Braun-R. McCutcheon (eds.), 2008. Introducing Religion. Essays in Honor of J. Z. Smith, London-Oakville:Equinox. B. 1. M. P. Nilsson, Ιστορία της αρχαίας ελληνικής θρησκείας ( μετ. Αικ. Παπαθωμοπούλου, προλεγόμενα Δ. Σταθόπουλου), Αθήνα 1977. 2. ----------------, Ελληνική λαϊκή θρησκεία (μετ. Ι. Θ. Κακριδή), Αθήνα 1979. 3. Ν. Παπαχατζής, «Η θρησκεία στην αρχαία Ελλάδα», Αθήνα 1987. 4. W. Poetscher, «Ελληνική θρησκεία», Ευάγγ. Ρούσσος (επιμ.), Οι Θρησκείες (Εκπαιδευτική Ελληνική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια, τόμος 12), Αθήνα 1992, σελ. 146-155. 5. Ν. Παπαχατζής, «Ελληνική επίσημη και λαϊκή θρησκεία», Ευάγγ. Ρούσσος (επιμ.), Οι Θρησκείες ό.π., σελ. 155 – 160. 6. W. Burkert, Αρχαία ελληνική θρησκεία, Αρχαϊκή και κλασική εποχή (μετ. Ν.Π.Μπεζεντάκος – Αφρ. Αβαγιανού, φιλολογ. επιμ. Ν.Π.Μπεζεντάκος), Αθήνα 1993. 7. L. Bruit Zaidman – P Schmitt Pantel, Η θρησκεία στις ελληνικές πόλεις της κλασικής εποχής (μετ. Κ. Μπούρας, επιμ. Μ. Τριανταφύλλου), Αθήνα 2002. 8. J. P. Vernant, Μύθος και θρησκεία στην αρχαία Ελλάδα (μετ. Μ.Ι. Γιόση), Αθήνα 2000. 9. ----------------, Ανάμεσα στο μύθο και την πολιτική (μετ. Μ.Ι. Γιόση), Αθήνα 2000. 10. ----------------, Μύθος και κοινωνία στην αρχαία Ελλάδα (μετ. Κ. Αλεξοπούλου -Σπ. Γεωργακόπουλος), Αθήνα 2003. 11. R. Seaford, Ανταπόδοση και τελετουργία. Ο Όμηρος και η τραγωδία στην αναπτυσσόμενη πόλη-κράτος (μετ. Β. Λιάπης), Αθήνα 2004. 12. Chr. Sourvinou-Inwood, “What is Polis Religion”, in: O. Murray-S. Price(eds), The Greek City from Homer to Alexander, Oxford 1998 (reprint), pp. 295 – 322. 13. R. Buxton (ed), Oxford Readings in Greek Religion, Oxford 2000. 14. G. Casadio, “How to write a Survey of Greek Religion from the point of view of the Comparative Study of Religion”, in : L. H. Martin – P. Pachis (eds), Theoritical Frameworks for the Study of Greco–Roman Religions, Thessaloniki 2003, pp.53-56. 15. Simon Price, Religion of the Ancient Greeks (Key themes in Ancient History), Cambridge 1999. 16. R. Parker, Miasma. Pollution and Purification in Early Greek Religion,Oxford 1983. 17. -----------, Athenian Religion. A History, Oxford 1996. 18. ----------, Polytheism and Society at Athens, Oxford 2005. 19. ----------, On Greek Religiοn, Ithaca-London:Cornell University Press, 2011. 20. D. B. Dodd – Chr. Faraone (eds), Initiations in Ancient Greek Rituals and Narratives, London – New York, 2003. 21. D. Odgen (ed.), A Companion to Greek Religion (Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World), Malden ,MA-Oxford:Blackwell, 2007.
Last Update
25-10-2020