42571 - Introduction to Religion Studies (A-L)

Learning outcomes

This course first provides a theoretical and historical framework on religious phenomena, and then it gives a closer look at some religions as systems – Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. By the end of the course, the students shall acquire the necessary skills to interpret the relations between religions and contemporary society.

Course contents

Classes begin: 24 September 2018 (I + II period)

Mon, Tue h 15-17 aula Grande SGM

Thur 9-11 (I period) Thur 13-15 (II period) aula Grande SGM

 

Constructing the sacred: fundamental theories to study religious phenomena

In this course, students will acquire the fundamental notions to interpret the complexity of religious systems, recognize their mutual relations and focus on their structural patterns. They will possess knowledge that is suitable to favor inter-religious understanding and communication.

This course will address a number of classic topics in religion anthropology and focus on some of the conceptual issues in the study of the sacred and of magic and religion practices, including lay ones.

During the course the following subjects will be addressed:

• Rites, myths and sacrificial apparatus
• Beliefs and practices
• Terminology of the history of religions (holy, religion, etc.)
• Classification of religions
• Religious Studies: origin, authors and main theories
• Religion as a product of man and historical document
• Components and structure of the religious system
• Corporality in religious systems;
• Religious scriptures and text construction
• Religious identity and plurality

Some of the issues discussed in the course will also be reconsidered by watching some documentaries, short videos and movies:

Les dieux objects, Marc Augé, Jean-Paul Colleyn, Jean-Pierre Dozon, Catherine Clippel (2010); On fait les reliques, Francesca Sbardella (2002); Brian di Nazareth, Terry Jones (1979).

At the end of the course the student shall be able to:

• determine and analyze the distinguishing features of religious facts;
• acquire competences to interpret the relations between religions and society;
• develop collaboratively a functional analysis model applied to historical-anthropological research;
• read, analyze, summarize, understand, and explain explicit and implicit information in texts about historical-religious theories;

• provide some basic means to develop the necessary skills in collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting genuine empirical data concerning the magical-religious field.

Readings/Bibliography

Programme for attending and for non-attending students

Handbook

1. Gasparro Sfameni G., Introduzione alla storia delle religioni, Laterza, Bari 2011.

   Classics

2. Durkheim É., Le forme elementari della vita religiosa, Meltemi, Roma 2005 [o qualsiasi altra edizione]
3. One of the following texts:

   - Weber M., Sociologia delle religioni, vol. 1 L’etica protestante e lo spitito del captalismo [qualsiasi edizione]

   - Mauss M., Teoria generale della magia e altri saggi, Einaudi, Torino 2000.

   - Le Bras G., La Chiesa e il Villaggio, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 1971.

   Thematic works

4. One of the following texts:

- Sbardella F., Abitare il silenzio. Un’antropologa in clausura, Viella, Roma 2017.

- Sbardella F, Antropologia delle reliquie. Un caso storico, Morcelliana 2007.

The syllabus for non-attending students is not subject to any integration. Non-attending students will need to make a greater effort in preparing the exam individually.

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures will alternate with seminars for in-depth discussion in which students are invited to actively take part with personal investigations, presentations and reports concerning the proposed issues.

Assessment methods

The exam is a written test to be sit at the IT lab. The test includes a series of questions with open answers about the texts in the syllabus and the specific subjects addressed in them.

The written exam consists of six questions, each worth approximately 5 points. Extra award (laude) may be attributed in case of appropriate terminology and particularly clear and efficient exposition.

Exam registration should be completed via the Almaesami website.

Evaluation criteria:

• in-depth and detailed knowledge of text contents
• critical thinking and argumentative skills
• use of appropriate terminology

Teaching tools

Multimedia tools will be used, e.g. audio recordings and videos.

Slides and Power Point presentations will also be used in some classes.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Sbardella