After a first part concerning the problem of the definition of religion in social sciences, the course will focus on the relationships between religion and conflicts. We will discuss many theories about the dialectics of religion and political power, referring primarly to our contemporary secular framework, in which resurgences of strong political identities, untraditional spiritual movements and revendications of secular "sacred" values can be founded.

- Defining religion in social sciences

- main sociologists of religion and their theoretical proposals

- Secular State and Christianity

- Hermeneutics of the relations between religion and political power

- Religion-Renaissance in the post-secular age

- Political-religious conflicts as marked by mimetism

None.

Students must demonstrate:

a) Concerning knowledge and understanding: the awareness of the role of religion in building the social bond and its transformations in modern times; to possess intellectual skills for understanding the contemporary relationship between religion and society.

b) Concerning applied knowledge and understanding: the ability to apply acquired knowledge and skills in the discussion about the main topic of the course.

c) Concerning the autonomy in making judegements: the ability to analyze and scrutinize the key-topics of the course, especially about the relationship among religion, individuals, society.

d) Concerning communication skills: the ability to communicate in a clear and coherent way the acquired knowledge as well as to discuss the topics fo the course together with others students.

e) Concerning learnign skills: the ability to evaluate the complexity of religious phenomenon, by pointing out its relevance for individual and social life and its issues as well. 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons, cooperative learning

Attendance

Attendance at 2/3 of the lessons

Course books

- M. Dillon (ed.), Handbook of the sociology of religion, Cambridgee University Press, 2012

choose one:

- Oliver Roy, Holy Ignorance: When Religion and Culture Part Ways, 2014, selected chapters

- E. W. Boeckenfoerde, The Rise of the State as a Process of Secularization, 1967, selected chapters

- R. Girard, Battling to the End, 2009, selected chapters

Assessment

The assessment of the student is carried out by an oral examination, considered as the best tool for assessing the level of linguistic competence and the level of learning. The precise knowledge of the subjects of examination, the ability to establish the appropriate connections between the latter and the linguistic property of their exposure are the basic criteria for determining the grade to be given to the student.

Attending students can elaborate a brief essay about the main topics of the course, with the aim at improving the knowledge concerning relevant issues of the course. The essay will discount the number of oral questions. An intermediary examination will be possible, in order to test the reached level of knowledge.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual study

Attendance

Full study of books.

Course books

- M. Dillon (ed.), Handbook of the sociology of religion, Cambridgee University Press, 2012

- Oliver Roy, Holy Ignorance: When Religion and Culture Part Ways, 2014

- E. W. Boeckenfoerde, The Rise of the State as a Process of Secularization, 1967

- R. Girard, Battling to the End, 2009

Assessment

The assessment of the student is carried out by an oral examination, considered as the best tool for assessing the level of linguistic competence and the level of learning. The precise knowledge of the subjects of examination, the ability to establish the appropriate connections between the latter and the linguistic property of their exposure are the basic criteria for determining the grade to be given to the student.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.