Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies programme.
The number of participants is limited to 25.
Description
This course has an ambitious aim: to predict the future of religion.
For a long time, sociologists and historians proclaimed the imminent death of God. Scientific rationalism and economic prosperity were weakening religion in the West, it was argued, and it was merely a question of time before the modernisation process would also take its toll on religion in the rest of the world. In today’s postcolonial discourse, it has become fashionable to argue the exact opposite: that religion is alive and kicking, even in the West. In this course, we examine the empirical evidence and confront it with cutting-edge social theory to figure out what is actually going on.
The course consists of two parts. In the first part, we discuss a number of core readings. We start by analysing empirical trends of religious change in the West, including the decline of institutional religion in Western Europe, the religious revival in post-Communist Eastern Europe, and differences in religiosity between Europe and the United States. We also critically evaluate those social theories that have aimed to explain and predict religious change in the West, in particular the secularisation paradigm (predicting decline), the rational choice paradigm (predicting revival), and the subjectivisation paradigm (predicting transformation). For each of these paradigms, that were all developed in the West, we ask ourselves to what extent they can help make sense of religious transformations globally. We also explore new theoretical developments that address religious change from a global perspective.
The second part of the course focusses on conducting actual research on a self-chosen topic within the framework of the course. For example, students can draw on theory from the course and self-collected empirical material to chart how religion is changing in the region they specialise in. Students present on their research progress, and report their findings in a paper. Students receive feedback from each other on a draft version of their paper.
Course objectives
The Electives for International Studies are designed to teach students how to deal with state-of-the-art literature and research questions. They are chosen to enhance the students’ learning experience by building on the multidisciplinary perspectives they have developed so far, and to introduce them to the art of academic research. They are characterised by an international or comparative approach.
Academic skills that are trained include:
Oral and written presentation skills:
1. To explain clear and substantiated research results.
2. To provide an answer to questions concerning (a subject) in the field covered by the course:
in the form of a clear and well-structured oral presentation;
in agreement with the appropriate disciplinary criteria;
using up-to-date presentation techniques;
using relevant illustration or multimedia techniques;
aimed at a specific audience.
3. To actively participate in a discussion following the presentation.
Collaboration skills:
1. To be socio-communicative in collaborative situations.
2. To provide and receive constructive criticism, and incorporate justified criticism by revising one’s own position.
3. To adhere to agreed schedules and priorities.
Basic research skills, including heuristic skills:
1. To collect and select academic literature using traditional and digital methods and techniques.
2. To analyze and assess this literature with regard to quality and reliability.
3. To formulate on this basis a sound research question.
4. To design under supervision a research plan of limited scope, and implement it using the methods and techniques that are appropriate within the discipline involved.
5. To formulate a substantiated conclusion.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website.
Mode of instruction
Seminars
Seminars are held every week, with the exception of the Midterm Exam week. This includes supervised research.
Course Load
Total course load for this course is 10 EC (1 EC = 28 hours), which equals 280 hours, broken down by:
Attending seminars (2 hours per week x 12): 24 hours
Reading literature and preparing assignments: 116 hours
Oral presentation and writing the final research essay: 140 hours
Assessment method
Assessment and Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Weekly assignments, peer-feedback and in-class participation | 30% |
| Oral presentation | 20% |
| Final Research Essay (5,000 words) | 50% |
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the End Grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of all assessment components.
Resit
Students who have been active participants in class and submitted the Final Essay on time, but scored an overall insufficient mark, are entitled to a resit. For the resit, students are given a chance to hand in a new version of the Final Essay.
In case of resubmission of the Final Essay (insufficient grade only) the final grade for the Essay will be lowered as a consequence of the longer process of completion. The deadline for resubmission is 10 working days after receiving the grade for the Final Essay.
Retaking a passing grade
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2018 – 2019.
Exam review
How and when an exam review takes place will be determined by the examiner. This review will be within 30 days after official publication of exam results.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for the seminars. Students are requested to enroll on Blackboard, but only after correct enrolment in uSis.
Reading list
A reading list will be made available on Blackboard in January 2019. We will mostly read articles that can be accessed via the University Library.
Students are required to obtain a copy of Booth, Wayne C., Gregory C. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, and William T. Fitzgerald, The Craft of Research, 4th edition, 2016. (The third edition of the book can also be used).
Registration
Registration occurs via survey only. Registration opens 3 December:
1) On 3 December you will receive a message with a link to the survey.
2) Indicate there which are your 5 preferred Electives, in order of preference.
3) Based on preferences indicated by 16 December the Electives Coordinator will assign you to one specific Elective by 15 January.
4) Students will then be enrolled for the specific groups by the Administration Office.
5) All students are required to enroll for their group in Blackboard to access all course information.
Students cannot register in uSis for the Elective, or be allowed into an Elective in any other way.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
When contacting lecturers or tutors, please include your full name, student number, and tutorial group number.
Remarks
The deadline for submission of the Final Essay is 14 June 2019.