32890 - History of Faiths and Religions

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: will understand and correctly use the terms and definitions of the semantic field related to this field of study (cults, rituals, myths, religions, faiths, ...); will be able to relate the origins, diffusion, transformation and permanence of forms of worship and devotion with environmental and socio-economic aspects; will know the religious strains that have most impact on human affairs with particular reference to their genesis and propagation; will know the basic dictates of the largest religions and their joints in various creeds and sects; will be able to identify and circumscribe areas of the world with the prevailing religious attendance and areas of friction and conflict between different faiths; will be able to identify the main issues raised by the coexistence of believers of different religions.

Course contents

Throughout the history, all cults, rites, myths and religions were generated and influenced by the resources, from reports and activities of every human group. If you wanted to draw the world's current thematic maps a bit 'unusual relating to political systems, social inequalities, behavior and mentality, they ricalcherebbero largely broadcast areas of the great religions, which in turn manifest themselves more joints and differences internal. Every great religious area, while presenting its general characteristics, is then split into zones of adhesion to the different versions and seven, whose knowledge can help you understand the different attitudes of today's peoples and countries, majorities and minorities: the search for dialogue, fundamentalism more intransigent. In the same fields of religion is therefore possible to understand the coexistence of divergent interpretations and behaviors and sometimes contradictory, which often characterizes the peoples and the countries to which they are prevalent. Besides conflicting views coexist even within the same ethnic and territorial contexts. Exemplary in this regard is the multiplicity of attitudes on social issues of the Catholic world, that beyond its general policy of fervent solicitude, then presents a wide range of real behaviors, ranging from more consistent commitment to concrete actions of solidarity, to the closures that implicitly endorse the most unequal disparities. Though they appeared a little 'everywhere, such contrasts are particularly noticeable in the countries of Latin America, where positions remain almost the opposite: by forces more radical egalitarianism, outdoor support of the restricted circle of the holders of power and wealth. On this basis we will analyze the connections between the events of '"human adventure" and the genesis, development and expansion of beliefs, cults and religions. to the current frictions and conflicts.

Readings/Bibliography

For those who attend at least 2/3 of the lectures, the preparation will be carried out on the lecture notes and the study of the book:

Giovanni Filoramo, Marcello Massenzio, Massimo Raveri, Paul Scarpi, Handbook of the History of Religions, Publisher Laterza, Rome-Bari, 2005.

For those not attending the preparation will be carried out on the study of two volumes:

- John Filoramo, Marcello Massenzio, Massimo Raveri, Paul Scarpi, Handbook of the History of Religions, Publisher Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2005.

- Julien Ries,  The sense of the sacred. In cultures and religions, Jaca Book, 2006.

Teaching methods

Lessons during which, in addition to the teaching method of transmission, we adopt forms of activation of students through discussions and research papers on topics of particular interest.

The lessons will be held from September 29, 2014 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 8:30 am to 10:30 am in the classroom and via Filippo Re, 6.

Assessment methods

The final exam will take place through an interview during which you will experience the acquisition of the learning objectives of the course

Teaching tools

Use of texts, sites of the computer network, computer presentations, videos.

Links to further information

http://dipast.scform.unibo.it/

Office hours

See the website of Rolando Dondarini