42571 - Introduction to Religion Studies

Learning outcomes

The course provides a theoretical and historical framework on religious phenomena, subsequently turning to a close, internal examination of specific religions as systems – Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the skills to interpret the relationships between religions and contemporary society.

Course contents

Introduction to the study of the sacred. Fundamental notions for the study of religious phenomenon.

The course aims to introduce several characteristics of “religious phenomenon” from a historical-critical perspective. More precisely, the course examines the specificity of its epistemological statute, its intrinsic historicity, and the uniqueness of its sources and manifestations.

The class will focus on the following topics, whose discussion will be divided into two parts:

A. INTRODUCTORY PART (the following order of topics—which is merely theoretical—might be slightly different from the one of the actual class)

Section 1: the first steps into the “religious.”

A.1.1. Issues of method: the concept of religion, approaches

A.1.2. Focus on certain features that characterize religious phenomena

A.1.3. A historiographic problem: “classifying religions”?

-introduction to Judaism

-introduction to Christianity

-introduction to Islam

-evil and theodicy: The Western landfall for Zoroastrianism

Section 2: religious illiteracy

- Religions and education

- Religions and university

- Religions and the media

B. MONOGRAPHIC PART

Durkheim

Weber

 

Readings/Bibliography

Syllabus for attending and non-attending students

Handbook:

Filoramo G., Che cos'è la religione, Einaudi, Torino, 2005.

Non-attending students must study also:

Melloni A., Rapporto sull’analfabetismo religioso in Italia, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2013.

 

Classic works:

Durkheim É., Le forme elementari della vita religiosa, Meltemi, Roma 2005 [o qualsiasi altra edizione].

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

Classics:

Durkheim É., Le forme elementari della vita religiosa, Meltemi, Roma 2005 [or any other edition].

 

Teaching methods

Methods:

Traditional/on-line lectures, text analyses, and critical reading of journalistic sources (written and audiovisual). Reflections on case studies that allow students to enhance their scientific considerations on their own, applying the resources and skills learned and utilized over time.

Specifically, the course aims to achieve five global objectives, that is to make the student able to:

• Identify and analyze the distinguishing characteristics of religious phenomenon;
• Acquire skills in interpreting the relationships among religions and society;
• Read, analyze, summarize, comprehend and explain explicit and implicit information from texts on historical-religious theories;
• Elaborate an initial historical-critical interpretation of texts and iconographic/audiovisual sources inherent to religious phenomenon;
• Master the fundamental scientific language of magical-religious phenomena

Assessment methods

Examination will involve a written test to be held in the computer lab. The test will consist in a series of open-answer questions on the texts in the syllabus and on the themes and issues dealt with in those texts.

The written test is made of three questions, each having an approximate value of either 15 or 8 points each.

To apply for the exam session please use the Almaesami website.

Assessment criteria:

• In-depth and detailed knowledge of the content of the texts.
• Critical and argumentative capability
• Ability to use proper language

Assessment scale:

Excellent (with possibility attribution of honors in the case of originality): the attainment of an organic vision of the issues presented during the lessons and their critical use that demonstrates a mastery of content and technical vocabulary.

Average: Mnemonic knowledge and only partially accurate use of technical vocabulary.

Sufficient: Minimal knowledge of the issues (dates and names), without serious errors.

Insufficient: absence of minimum requirements of ‘sufficient’ assessment.

A negative evaluation does not imply the allocation of a grade or mark, but merely an evaluation reported on the records ("Failed"): this evaluation is not included in the curriculum and does not affect the average of the final grade.

Teaching tools

Audiovisual multimedia tools will be utilized.

Almost all lessons will be presented with PowerPoint.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Dainese