autumn 2020
REL-1025 South Asian Religions - 10 ECTS

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Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.

Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Type of course

The course is optional for bachelor students in Religious Studies. It is suited for teacher education students who specialise in religious studies, and students from other disciplines within the Humanities and the Social Sciences. The course can be taken as a singular course.

Admission requirements

Nordic applicants: Generell studiekompetanse og realkompetanse.

International applicants: Higher Education Entrance Qualification and certified language requirements in English.

Application code: 9199 (Nordic applicants), Singular courses bachelor's level. Please write the course code you wish to apply for in the comment field of the application.

Course content

The course offers a study of religious traditions originating in South Asia, with a focus on Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, acknowledging the religious variety, complexity and conflicts characterizing this part of the world. The aim is to give an introductory understanding of central teachings and practices of these religious traditions, and the way they shape and are shaped by social, political, economic, and environmental changes. The readings and lectures will explore the variation of religious expression in light of their historical, social and cultural context, highlighting various forms of social inequality. The course examines past and present perspectives among 1/6th of the world’s population.

Objectives of the course

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

General knowledge of:

  • The historical development of the religious traditions in South Asia
  • Central characteristics of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
  • Diversity, plurality and interaction among South Asia’s religious traditions

Skills

The student can:

  • Account for, compare and interpret differences and similarities between South Asia’s religious traditions
  • Discuss the characteristics of the religious traditions and their past and present expressions
  • Discuss central research questions pertaining to religious traditions in South Asia

Competence

  • The student will be able to continue to develop individual competency, knowledge and understanding of South Asian religious traditions

Language of instruction and examination

Language of teaching is English. Language of examination is English or Norwegian.

Teaching methods

The teaching is given through lectures and seminars, a total of 20 hours (10 x 2 hours).

All courses will be evaluated once during the period of the study program. The board of the program decides which courses will be evaluated by students and teacher each year. 

Assessment

The following coursework requirements must be completed and approved in order to take the final exam:

One compulsory written assignment of about 3 pages, and will be assessed on a Pass/Fail Basis

The exam will consist of: An essay (10 pages of approximately 3500 words) on a given topic. Allotted time: 7 days.

The exam will be assessed on an A-F grades scale. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed.

Retake is offered in in the beginning of the following semester in cases of grade F or Fail. Deferred examination is offered in the beginning of the following semester if the student is unable to take the final exam due to illness or other exceptional circumstances. Registration deadline for retake is January 15 for autumn semester exams and August 15 for spring semester exams.

Recommended reading/syllabus

Pensumliste for REL-1025 South Asian Religions
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: REL-1025
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic