Theory in the Study of Religion
This seminar has two connected foci:
Contemporary theoretical approaches and discussions in the study of religion in general, and
Themes in Islamic Studies, the study of Judaism, and New Religious Movements & New Age religions in which these and other theoretical approaches are being used.
The first six meetings will be devoted to a discussion of modern theories in the study of religion, including the problem of defining the concept of religion, and will form the basis for the mid-term paper. Five meetings will be devoted to theoretical orientations in the study of Judaism, Islam and New Religious Movements & New Age religion. In a closing session the findings will be evaluated.
Doelstelling
To be announced
Onderwijsvorm
To be announced.
Toetsing
Students are expected, therefore, to submit two papers: one mid-term paper with reference to the first focus (supervised by the convener) and a final paper with reference to one specific theme (supervised by one of the instructors).
Literatuur
To be announced. Suggestions for initial reading:
B. Saler, Conceptualizing Religion (Oxford, 2000)
B. Morris, Anthropological Studies of Religion (Cambridge, 1987)
C. Lévy-Strauss, Totemism (Boston, 1963), orig. Le Totémisme aujourd’hui (Paris, 1962)
- , Myth and Meaning (London, 1978)
P. Boyer, Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Thought (New York, 2001)
H. Whitehouse, Arguments and Icons: Divergent Modes of Religiosity (Oxford, 2000)
C. Geertz, The Interpretation of Cultures (New York, 1973)
J. Boon, Other Tribes, other scribes: Symbolic anthropology in the comparative study of cultures, histories, religions and texts (New York, 1982)
R. Stark & W.S. Bainbridge, A Theory of Religion (New York, 1987)
Toelating
This course is compulsory for all students who pursue an MA Religious Studies with specialisation in Religions of Antiquity, Islam in Europe, Modern Judaism, and New Religious Movements. Other students are welcome to take this seminar, if they can show a sufficient training in comparative religion.
Rooster
See time table Master Religious Studies
Opmerkingen
For more information, please contact:
Dr. A.F. de Jong, email: a.f.dejong@religion.leidenuniv.nl
Dr. W. Hofstee, email: w.hofstee@religion.leidenuniv.nl