28337 - History of Religions (1) (LM)

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Docente: Angela Maria Mazzanti
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: M-STO/06
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology (cod. 0964)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in History and Oriental Studies (cod. 8845)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to understand  religious phenomena in their various historical contexts. Students will know the principal interpretative theories and analytical mrthods and be able to apply them.

Course contents

 

"Crisis" in history: destabilization or a judgement on change?

Links to the present.

 

 

’History and 'Crisis' : destabilisation or a new perspective? In-depth historical-religious studies in the context of the first centuries of the contemporary age.


Links to the present


The use of the word 'crisis' seems to define the contemporary age and to compare it with other historical ages , amongst which, the Late Antiquity.
The understanding of the 'critical' processes in religious, philosophical and political fields helps us to understand significant dates and relative events in the past.

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

a) U. Bianchi, The definition of religion: on the metodology of historical-comparative research, Leiden1972

M. Eliade, The sacred and the profan: the nature of religion, New York 1961

b) R. Alston, Aspects of Roman History 31 BC-AD117, London-New York 2014, Chap. 1-4, 16.

c) Some contributions of Krisis e cambiamento in età tardoantica. Riflessi contemporanei

will published in the English version on line.


Teaching methods

Scolars and academics will report on the themes during the lessons.

The students, having studied the appropriate knowledge from the advised reading list, will be able to contribute to the interpretation of proposed authors. Students will be able to present developed arguments wich have been agreed with the professor and are in line with the theme of the course.

 

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral interview. 

An excellent grade is awarded to students who demonstrate a profound knowledge of the course arguments and a capacity for critical judgement. An average grade is awarded to students who understand the themes developed throughout the course and who are able to present and make connections between the various parts of the course. A sufficient grade is awarded to students who understand the fundamental elements assessed during the course. An insufficient grade is given to students who do not demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the course themes and who do not use terminology appropriate to the discipline.

Office hours

See the website of Angela Maria Mazzanti