Study Programmes 2015-2016
ANTH0049-1  
Anthropology of religious fields
Duration :
30h Th, 30h Pr
Number of credits :
Bachelor in sociology and anthropology6
Bachelor in sociology and anthropology6
Master in anthropology (120 ECTS)6
Master in population and development studies (120 ECTS)6
Bachelor in information and communication5
Bachelor in information and communication5
Bachelor in information and communication4
Lecturer :
Elodie Razy
Substitute(s) :
N...
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Grasping the spiritual answers which humans make in response to inherent questions about the human condition has interested anthropologists since the very beginnings of the discipline. Different theories have thus been developed to account for religion through the ages and across different continents, both in terms of origin and in myths, ritual manifestations or daily practices which humans have used and continue to use today. After having deconstructed the concept of religion and addressed the different approaches to it, we will focus on examples of the strengths of various theories, their possible limitations and the criticisms which they have attracted. The contours of religion will thus be gradually outlined. Finally, the focus will particularly be upon the contemporary forms of religiosity (new churches, magical-religious practices, religion in migration, etc.) which will enable this key field in the discipline to be revisited and will provide the keys to understanding the contemporary world.
Learning outcomes of the course :
Students will have acquired good historical knowledge of this field and the theories of it which have been developed over time. The use of methodological and conceptual tools, coupled with experience on the ground will enable them to address contemporary religious expression (in terms of practices and representations) with the required critical distance and an all-round approach which characterises anthropology.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
None
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Class, conferences, videos, students' accounts, discussions and debates, readings, ethnographic fieldwork.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
The course will take place in the first term.
Recommended or required readings :
Students will be obliged to read one publication, articles and extracts from publications.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Students will write a final written report based on their ethnographic fieldwork and weekly, they will answer oral questions (instructions concerning these two exercises will be given on myULg and explained in class).
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
I meet with students by appointment
Office 2.36 (B31)