International Master in Religion and Culture (MRC)

Transcription

1 HUMBOLDT UNIVERSIÄT ZU BERLIN THEOLOGISCHE FAKULTÄT International Master in Religion and Culture (MRC) Syllabus (2010) English Version ( Draft ) This document contains the current syllabus of the Master of Religion and Culture (MRC), coordinated by the Theology Faculty of the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. Students who have questions regarding the study programme are encouraged to contact the MRC s advisory service: mareliku@hu berlin.de For external enquiries concerning cooperation or networking opportunities with the MRC please contact Prof. Dr. Andreas Feldtkeller: andreas.feldtkeller@hu berlin.de. Theologische Fakultät Humboldt Universität zu Berlin Burgstraße 26, Berlin Humboldt Universität zu Berlin Unter den Linden 06, Berlin

2 2 Introduction In order to successfully complete the MRC, students are required to obtain a total of 120 Credit Points which are allocated as follows: 1. Four Foundation Modules ( each) 2. Four Elective Modules ( each) 3. A Core Module (14 Credit Points) 4. An Internship Module () 5. An Exposé in preparation for the Master thesis (4 Credit Points) 6. Master Thesis (30 Credit Points) Before students can begin their Master thesis all Modules have to be completed. Credit Points: A certain amount of Credit Points are allocated to each Module. One credit point at the HUB is equivalent to 30 hours of work. Credit points can be earned through the preparation of and participation in weekly lectures/classes, writing term papers or essays, delivering in class presentations, completing an internship, submitting an exposé for the Master s thesis, completing the Master thesis itself, and completing oral and written examinations. The Foundation, Elective and Core Modules: The four Foundation and Elective Modules are comprised of two different types of courses (cf. SWS below). Each Foundation and Elective Module requires the student to submit a five page essay or to deliver a presentation in class (+ handout) to accompany one of the chosen courses. The Foundation Module has to be completed in advance of the related Elective Module. The Core Module consists of three courses and requires the students to submit a term paper (25 pages). The Foundation, Elective and Core Modules all conclude with an oral or written examination. Examination: The exam at the end of the Module is intended to encompass the whole Module. While students are permitted to choose the subject area they would like to be examined in (related to one of the courses they have attended within the Module), they must also be able to demonstrate the relevance of their specific knowledge to both courses taken within the same Module and highlight the relationships between different topics or subject areas (and hence show how the two courses are related within the umbrella of the Module as a whole). There are two types of examination: a twenty minute oral exam or a three hour written exam. Each Module specifies the type of exam which must be taken to complete the module.

3 3 Different types of courses: There are four different kind of courses offered at the HUB. These courses are also weighted differently: Lecture (VL): Only given by Professors. A VL gives an overview of certain topics. Students mostly participate passively (listening, taking notes, asking questions in class, private study of the lecture material). In a lecture the professor imparts knowledge. Discussion is only encouraged to clarify an issue the student may not have understood from the Professor s lecture. Undergraduate Seminar (PS): Introductory course, aimed at BA students in the early stages of their degree. Graduate Seminar (SE): Deals with more advanced subjects, aimed at students who already have a BA (or equivalent) qualification. Requires the active participation of the students. Knowledge of field specific academic methods or theories is assumed. Classes (): Students practice applying academic methods or skills while investigating certain topics. SWS: SWS is the abbreviation for hours per week during the lecture period. Most courses are held once a week during the lecture period and have a duration of 2 hours (active learning time however is only 90 minutes). The expression 2 SWS means: 2 hours a week. Some lectures are held twice a week and therefore count for 4 SWS. The academic year/ Semesters: The academic year begins in October. It is divided into two semesters: a) the Winter Semester from October until the end of March and b) the Summer Semester from April until the end of September. The lecture period for the Winter Semester is from mid October until mid February, and for the Summer Semester from mid April to mid July. Both before and after each lecture period is an examination period, where most Module related exams are conducted.

4 4 1. Four compulsory Foundation Modules: B1, B2, B3, B4 The MRC consists of four different Foundation Modules: B1 Texts and Media B3 Culture, Religion and Modernity B2 Anthropology B4 Culture, Religion and Ethics Students are required to complete all four Foundation Modules. For each Foundation Module students must obtain. Each Module is comprised of different kinds of courses students have to attend. If students have already completed one or both compulsory courses required by a Module in their previous degree, they can substitute this course with another. A written agreement from a person authorised by the faculty is required to do this. All Foundation Modules require the students to write an essay or deliver an in class. Every Module is concluded by a 20 minute oral examination.

5 5 Foundation Module: B1 Texts and Media including 1 Credit Point for a short written paper 1 Credit Point Independent Learning 1 Credit Point Oral examination, 20 mins PS Compulsory: Introduction to academic research methods on texts and sources within an appropriate academic field SWS Credit Points Includes a short written paper VL Important biblical texts (Old Testament or New Testament) If students have already attended one or both courses above in their previous study programme, they can replace them with courses recommended below. In order to do this a letter of support has to be obtained from a person authorised by the faculty. The entire Module must be completed by two different courses each of 2 SWS. VL Important biblical texts VL Introduction to a holy or normative text of a religious community VL SE Interpretation of a normative text, or group of texts from a religious tradition Foundational questions and methods in cultural studies, fine arts, media studies or literary studies Specification, e.g. sports and games, love and death, cult and ritual, art and aesthetics, literature and religion

6 6 Foundation Module: B2 Anthropology 4 Credit Points Course Participation including 1 Credit Point for an essay (ca. 5 pages) or in class 1 Credit Point Oral examination, 20 mins VL Overview of issues in theological anthropology VL Overview of issues in the anthropology of a religious community from the perspective of religious studies. VL Questions concerning anthropology in the humanities SE Engagement with a concept relating to philosophical, cultural or theological anthropology Concepts or texts relating to specific questions within philosophical, cultural or theological anthropology

7 7 Foundation Module: B3 Culture, Religion and Modernity 4 Credit Points Course Participation including 1 Credit Point for an essay (ca. 5 pages) or in class 1 Credit Point Oral examination, 20 mins VL Overview of the history of the 19 th and 20 th century in Europe and North America, or an in depth overview of part of this history from a general historical or specific perspective SWS Credit Points SE Selected theories relating to social, cultural and/or religious change in the modern era Selected texts dealing with the interpretation of social, cultural and/or religious change in the modern era If students have already attended one or both courses above in their previous study programme, they can replace them with courses recommended below. In order to do this a letter of support has to be obtained from a person authorised by the faculty. The entire Module must be completed by two different courses each of 2 SWS or one lecture series comprising 4 SWS. VL VL VL SE SE Church history of the 19th and 20th century An in depth overview of an aspect of the history of the 19 th and 20 th century in Europe and North America from a perspective which compliments that which the student has already learnt Overview of part of the history of Africa, Asia and/or Latin America in the 19 th and 20 th centuries Selected theories relating to postmodernism The relationship of religion and culture in the modern era; religious and cultural theories of the modern era 4 7

8 8 Foundation Module B4: Culture, Religion and Ethics 4 Credit Points Course Participation including 1 Credit Point for an essay (ca. 5 pages) or in class 1 Credit Point Oral examination, 20 mins VL Foundation Course: Systematic Theology VL An overview of central ideas both traditional and contemporary within philosophical ethics. SE Specific concepts or texts addressing issues in philosophical or theological ethics If students have already attended one or both courses above in their previous study programme, they can replace them with courses recommended below. In order to do this a letter of support has to be obtained from a person authorised by the faculty. The entire Module must be completed by two different courses each of 2 SWS. SE SE Examples in ethics drawn from business, medical, environmental, or social ethics (amongst others), considered in a cultural historical context + 1 The justification of ethics and/or material ethical examples from within the ethical tradition of a religious community SE Essential texts or material ethical examples from the ethical tradition of a religious community Human dignity and human rights, different perspectives relating to the universality and cultural/religious plurality of ethics

9 9 2. The Core Module: The Hermeneutics of Religion, Culture and Interfaith Relations In order to successfully complete the Core Module, students have to attend the compulsory Introduction Course as well as two different kinds of courses (3 courses in total 6 SWS). In addition students have to write a term paper (25 pages) on a topic related to one of their classes. This exercise is designed to help prepare the students for their Master s Thesis as well as to test their academic skillset and competencies. The Module is concluded by a 20 minute oral examination The Hermeneutics of Religion, Culture and Interfaith Relations 14 Credit points 3 Credit Points Compulsory Course: Introduction to the hermeneutics of religion and culture 2 Credit Points Course Participation 5 Credit Points Exemplary investigation (25 pages) of a topic concerning the hermeneutics of religion and culture/ intercultural and interfaith hermeneutics within one of the courses 1 Credit Point Oral examination, 20 mins Compulsory: SE Introduction to the hermeneutics of religion and culture VL An overview of various approaches to hermeneutics (i.e. Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Gadamer, Frank, Geertz) SE A central concept or problem concerning the hermeneutics of religion and culture Examples of the use of the hermeneutics of religion and culture (i.e. symbols and rituals relating to secular contemporary culture, the analysis of films) The practice and application of methods of intercultural and/or interfaith hermeneutics 2 2 GK Introduction to intercultural theology and mission studies 2 2 Examples of the use of intercultural and/or interfaith hermeneutics 2 2

10 10 3. Advanced Studies: Four Elective Modules: V1, V2, V3 and V4 The Elective Modules are grouped into 4 main areas V1 V4 which each deal with different themes: V1 Forms and Contents of Religious Discourses V3 Religion and Contemporary Society V2 Anthropology and Human Identity V4 Religion, Spirituality and Lifestyle Each of these V areas encompasses a variety of Modules related to an umbrella theme. Students must complete one Module within each V area. For each Elective Module students must obtain. Each Module is comprised of different kinds of courses students have to attend. All Elective Modules require the students to write an essay or deliver an in class presentation (+ handout). All 4 Elective Modules are completed by 2 oral and 2 written examinations. Students are free to decide which type of examination they would prefer for which Module. Before students can complete their Elective Module, the respective Foundation Module has to be completed by an examination. The student is free to attend courses in both Module areas contemporaneously, however the Foundation Module has to be passed before the student can be examined in the Elective Module. The Internship Module is to be completed in connection with one of the Elective Modules. The Exposé and Master Thesis are to be written within the subject area of one of the Elective Modules.

11 11 V1 Forms and Contexts of Religious Discourses Students choose one of the following Modules and complete it with an oral examination of 20 mins or a 3 hr written exam. V1a: Christianity in historical contexts VL An in depth overview of the history of the Church in a particular period SWS Credit Points 4 7 VL An overview of: the history of the Church in a region / the history of a confession / a phenomenon associated with Church history. SE Key figures, texts, and events in the history of Christianity in their historical context (specification) V1b: Islam in historical contexts VL Overview of the teachings and practices of Islam in its history VL Overview of the history of Islam or part of it SE Exemplary personalities, texts or events from the history of Islam in their historical context

12 12 V1c: Judaism and the religion of Ancient Israel in historical contexts VL The history of ancient Israel or of certain periods from within the history of Judaism SWS Credit Points 4 7 VL SE An overview of central epochs and events in religious history, such as the monarchy, the Exile, the Second Temple, rabbinical Judaism etc. An overview of central epochs and events of religious history, such as the monarchy, the Exile, the Second Temple, rabbinical Judaism etc. If a course of 2 SWS is chosen, one of the following courses is to be completed additionally: SE An exemplary consideration of crucial epochs and events in Israelite Jewish religious history on the basis of textual investigation V1e: Religion and Media VL The history of the media, media theory, media in cultural and religious history, generations of the media, media ethics SE The history of the media, media theory, media in cultural and religious history, generations of the media, media ethics Practical examples, i.e. radio and television programmes; the religious function of television; violence in film, the power of pictures

13 13 V1f: The interpretation of biblical texts and holy scriptures VL A detailed overview of the interpretation of biblical texts or other holy scriptures SWS Credit Points 4 7 VL A detailed overview of the interpretation of biblical texts or other holy scriptures If a VL of 2 SWS is chosen, one of the following courses is to be completed additionally: SE Exemplary practice in the interpretation of a biblical text or parts of other holy scriptures V1g: The history of religion VL A detailed overview of an era, geographical area or a tradition in the history of religion SWS Credit Points 4 7 VL An overview of an era, geographical area or a tradition in the history of religion (also: the history of the Church in a region, the history of a confession, a phenomenon associated with Church history) If a VL of 2 SWS is chosen, one of the following courses is to be completed additionally: SE Exemplary forms, texts and events from the history of religion in their historical context (specification)

14 14 V2 Anthropology and Human Identity Students choose one of the following Modules and complete it with an oral examination of 20 mins or a 3 hr written exam. V2a: Biblical Anthropology SE The human being as a creation of God in the Old Testament Physiological aspects of mankind in biblical terms and images SWS Credit Points Selected aspects of Old Testament anthropology SE The interpretation of the human being as a sinner and his/her salvation in New Testament tradition Selected aspects of New Testament anthropology

15 15 V2b: Religion and Gender VL Introduction to Gender Studies in Theology, Religious Studies and Cultural Studies; Gender as an (analytical) category, interdependence SE between systems of religious symbolism and gender hierarchies SE Consolidation and specification of the issue of Gender through exemplary topics, i.e. God s speech / Images of God, religious language, women in the church /church offices, humankind s likeness to God and concepts of Gender, sin and justification, theological ethics (violence, body, sexuality), positions within feminist hermeneutics and exegesis V2c: The Philosophy of Religion VL Introduction to the problem of a philosophical interpretation of the phenomenon of religion through selected examples, combined with a SE reflection of the claims to truth and validity made by religions SE The study of a specific approach to the philosophical interpretation of religion in connection with a reflection on its significance and consequences

16 16 V2d: The Psychology of Religion VL Theories about the influence of religion on the development of personality, its dependence on the conditions of socialisation, youth culture, developmental psychology SE Practical examples, i.e. religion in the course of life, youth and religion, images of God, religion and health V2e: The Sociology of Religion SWS Credit Points VL Religion as an issue within sociology i.e. Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, Luhmann SE Introduction to the methods of the qualitative investigation of religion and their practical application

17 17 V2f: Anthropology in comparative religion SWS Credit Points VL An overview of the concept of humankind in one religion or various PS concepts of humankind in different religions SE Exemplary aspects of religious anthropology V2g: Religion and Rituals / Symbols SWS Credit Points VL Theories about rituals and symbols; questions of the relationship between ritual and aesthetics; liturgics SE An exemplary investigation of specific questions concerning rituals and symbols within the whole human context

18 18 V3 Religion and Contemporary Society Students choose one of the following Modules and complete it with an oral examination of 20 mins or a 3 hr written exam. V3a: Religion, the Public Realm and Politics An overview of part of the subject area, i.e. the history of the relationship between religion and politics; religion, law and politics in VL modern, democratic societies; history and the contemporary situation in the relationship between Church and state; international comparative literature concerning the relationship between religion and politics SE Religious symbols in the public sphere, religion and political fundamentalism, religion and law, secularism

19 19 V3b: Religion and the Economy VL Concepts in protestant business ethics (i.e. Wünsch, Rich, Herms), or SE Catholic social teaching or theories about the relationship between religion and economics (Marx, Weber, Troeltsch) SE Specific inquiries into business ethics or particular topics in the field of economic action in religious institutions / the Church (i.e. justice, corporate governance, quality management and personal management, work and unemployment, poverty and prosperity, development economics) V3c: Missionary religions and the global community VL Forms by which religions in transmitted and disseminated; the history of the geographic expansion of a religion SE The transculturality of missionary religions; intercultural communication in global religious communities

20 20 V4 Religion, Spirituality and Lifestyle Students choose one of the following Modules and complete it with an oral examination of 20 mins or a 3 hr written exam. V4a: Christianity and one s outlook on life VL Faith and Morality; Law and Gospel; Catechism and Commandment, the orientating function of church and Christianity in society SE A selection of perspectives from within the history of Christianity V4b: Religion as the interpretation of life 4 Credit Points Course Participation including 1 credit point for essay (ca. 5 pages) or in class presentation (with handout) VL Theories of Religion in Theology, Sociology, Psychology; the paradigm of interpretation as the hermeneutical key to understanding religious communication as symbolic communication SE Religion and Symbol, Religion and Morality, Religion and Justice, Implicit and Explicit Religion

21 21 V4c: Religion and Spirituality VL Overview of the practices of a religious community or a comparative overview of the practices of several religious communities SE Specific aspects of spirituality, i.e. charismatic movements, communities, mysticism, esotericism V4d: Ethics in comparative religion 4 Credit Points Course includes 1 credit point for an essay (ca. 5 pages) or in class presentation (+ handout) VL A general overview of ethics in different religions SE Comparison of an ethical issue in different religions PS

22 22 4. Exposé 4 Credit Points Requirements: The Exposé has to be written in connection with one of the Elective Modules. In writing the Exposé, students provide the foundation for their Master s Thesis. The Exposé needs to be approved by the Professor who supervising the thesis. The Exposé for the Master s thesis has to be written before students begin writing their thesis. 5. Internship Module Requirements: The internship has to be completed in connection with one of the Elective Modules. The Module can be completed during the semester or during the semester holidays. 5 Credit Points The internship has a has a duration of five weeks (5 days a week/ 8 hrs a day) or 200 hours. 3 Credit Points Following the internship, an internship report of 20 pages has to be submitted. The report acts as the Module examination and has to be written under the supervision of the Professor whose courses have been attended within the Elective Module, within which the internship is conducted. 6. Master Thesis 30 Credit Points Requirements: The Master s Thesis is to be thematically related to one of the four Elective Modules undertaken by the students. Students are only permitted to begin work on their Master s Thesis if all previous Modules have been successfully completed and the Exposé submitted and approved. Permission to begin work on the Master s Thesis can be obtained by the Examination Office. Students must to apply to the Examination Office for a specific date to begin their Master thesis one semester in advance. 30 Credit Points Master Thesis of 60 pages completed within 5 months

23 23 An exemplary timetable for the successful completion of the MRC: Term Module Total Winter Term B1 4 SWS/8 CP Core Module 4 SWS/ 6 CP B2 4 SWS/8CP B3 4 SWS/8CP 16 SWS 30 CP Summer Term B4 4 SWS/8CP 2 SWS/ 8 CP Elective Module 4 SWS/8CP Elective Module 4 SWS/8CP 14 SWS 32 CP Winter Term Elective Module 4 SWS/8CP Elective Module 4 SWS/8CP Internship Module 8 CP Exposé 4 CP 8 SWS 28 CP Summer Term Master Thesis 30 CP 0 SWS 30CP 38 SWS 120 CP