This course can be followed as part of the BA specialisation Global Connections.
(onderdeel BA Culturele Antropologie en Ontwikkelingssociologie)
Course Description
This course explores the changing significance of religion in the present day world. Classical modernization theory predicted the gradual decline of religiosity. However, in recent decades, religion has once again gained prominence as a prime societal force. What is the relationship between religion, secularism and modernity? When do we define beliefs and practices as religious? What needs are religious communities catering to? What can we learn from religious rituals? How are new religious beliefs emerging?
The course has been divided in three sections:
Religion, modernity, secularism (week 1-3)
Everyday religion (week 4-9)
Beyond religion (week 10-12).
The course intends to familiarize students with the major anthropological and sociological debates on religion, secularism and global modernity; to get acquainted with methodological approaches to the study of religion; and to equip students to pursue further studies in the field of religious practices.
Coordinator
Dr. Erik de Maaker: maaker@fsw.leidenuniv.nl ; room nr. 3A33 (Pieter de la Court Building)
Methods of Instruction
lectures 24 hours (36 sbu)
literature 996 pages (166 sbu)
10 written assignments (4500 words = 80 sbu)
Total: 280 sbu = 10 ECTS
Literature
Susan Harding (2000), The book of Jerry Falwell: Fundamentalist Language and Politics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Press.(276 pages)
additional readings (primarily journal articles, available through the Leiden University digital library).Articles to be specified at the beginning of the course.
Examination
AQCI assignments:
Out of a total of 10 assignments, one assignment will not count towards the final grade received. The assignment that is omitted, is the assignment for which the lowest mark has been obtained. Assignments have to be submitted in class, on paper. Email submissions are only accepted in exceptional cases, if this has been previously agreed upon. An assignment that has not been submitted counts as failed. A maximum of three assignments (out of ten) can be retried. Re-submissions should be submitted in the class following the one in which the particular assignment was returned to the student. No re-submissions after the final lecture.
Blackboard
Information on the topics of the classes and the additional readings will be available on blackboard at least one week before the course starts.
Time-table
Time: Tuesdays 2 February – 4 May 2009, 11-13 h
Location: Room 1A22, Pieter de la Court Building
Registration
Only the following categories of students can register for this course:
Students enrolled for the BA programme “Culturele antropologie en ontwikkelingssociologie”:
Inschrijving mogelijk via het secretariaat CA-OS, kamer 3A19, tel. 5273469, e-mail: secrcaos@fsw.leidenuniv.nl, tussen 30 november 2009 en 22 januari 2010.International exchange students:
For application please follow regular procedure through International Office , or contact the departmental coordinator N. Osterhaus-Simic.