Religion and Diversity in Pluralist Societies
Code:
IKF219EName:
Religion and Diversity in Pluralist SocietiesTeaching semester:
AutumnLocations:
BergenYear:
2025 — 2026Teaching language:
EnglishStudy points:
10 Credits
The following course requirements must be fulfilled for the student to have the right to take the exam:
- Mandatory attendance (at least 80%)
- Active participation in an oral group presentation
- An academic log of approximately 2000 word (+/- 15%), following given criteria
If the group work/oral presentation is not approved, the student will have one additional opportunity for an oral presentation in the same semester. If the academic log is not approved, the student will have one new submission opportunity in the same semester.
Religion is often portrayed in the media as a source of conflict, yet for much of the world's population, it is an integral part of daily life. It shapes individual and collective identities, fosters a sense of community, and influences national and global politics. Understanding religion is increasingly essential for navigating diversity and addressing critical challenges at local, national, and global levels.
The course IKF219E Religion and diversity in pluralist societies explores the social significance of religion and the various forms religious diversity can take in a globalized world. It examines religion as both practice and community, in historical and contemporary contexts. Through empirical analysis of examples from different parts of the world, the course provides insights into the diverse expressions of religious diversity—ranging from conflict to coexistence and cooperation. Case studies highlight the importance of transnational communities on local and global scales, changes in religious affiliation and community, and the challenges and opportunities associated with religious diversity. The course also addresses the intersections between religion and politics from a transnational perspective, emphasizing the role of religion in conflict and peacebuilding. The rise of politicized religion challenges the assumption that the world is becoming increasingly secularized. Students will explore the interactions and tensions between religion and secular ideologies. Through readings, activities, and assessments, the course develops students' knowledge, critical thinking, intellectual empathy, and intercultural competence, enabling them to engage thoughtfully and constructively in discussions on religious diversity while respecting diverse perspectives and worldviews.
On completion of the course, the candidate should have achieved the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge about the various interpretations of the concept of religion
- has knowledge about the significance of religious institutions, beliefs, and communities on both local and global scales
- has knowledge about the role of religious belonging and community, particularly concerning migration and diaspora.
- has knowledge about the forms of religious pluralism, ranging from cooperation to coexistence
- has knowledge about the challenges and opportunities of religious pluralism and diversity
- has knowledge about the influence of religion on diversity, inclusion, and societal dynamics
- has knowledge about the interconnections between religion and politics from a transnational perspective
- has knowledge about the role of religion in conflict resolution and peacebuilding
- has knowledge regarding the interactions and tensions between religion and secularity
Skills
The student:
- can critically analyze various interpretations of the concept of religion
- can evaluate the role and significance of religious institutions, beliefs, and communities in local and global contexts
- can reflect on the impact of religious belonging and community, especially in migration and diaspora contexts
- can analyze different forms of religious pluralism
- can critically reflect on the challenges and opportunities posed by religious pluralism and diversity
- can investigate the connections between religion and politics, especially the politicization of religion and religion's political significance
- can apply academic perspectives to evaluate transnational religion, religious pluralism, and diversity
- can utilize scholarly approaches to address religion-related conflict and peacebuilding
- can critically engage with the tensions and interactions between religion and secularity
General competence
The student:
- can differentiate between religious and secular ideologies and practices
- has insight into the opportunities and challenges of religion and spirituality in global, national, and local contexts
- can engage in discussions and exchange perspectives on best practices for interreligious interaction
- can present and discuss academic perspectives effectively, both orally and in writing, with reflection and cultural sensitivity
- has intercultural competence linked to religious dimensions of intercultural understanding and interactions
The following course requirements must be fulfilled for the student to have the right to take the exam:
- Mandatory attendance (at least 80%)
- Active participation in an oral group presentation
- An academic log of approximately 2000 word (+/- 15%), following given criteria
If the group work/oral presentation is not approved, the student will have one additional opportunity for an oral presentation in the same semester. If the academic log is not approved, the student will have one new submission opportunity in the same semester.
In the media, religion is often associated with conflict, but for a majority of the world's population, religion is a natural part of daily life. Religion is linked to membership in certain communities, and is important on many levels, from individual and collective identity to national and global politics. Knowledge of religion is therefore increasingly necessary to understand diversity and manage important challenges locally, nationally, and globally.
The course IKF219E Religion, diversity, and transnational processes aims to enable students to understand the meaning of religion and deal with religious diversity in a multicultural and global world in an informed way. The course focuses on religion as a practice in both historical and contemporary contexts. Through empirical analysis of examples from many parts of the world, the course provides insight into the importance of transnational communities locally and globally, changes in religious affiliation and community, as well as challenges and opportunities related to religious diversity. The subject further addresses connections between religion and politics in a transnational perspective, and the importance of religion in conflict and peacebuilding. The growth of politicized religion challenges notions that the world is becoming increasingly secularised. The subject provides knowledge about interactions and conflicts between religion and ideas about the secular. Through the readings and various forms of work and assessment, the student's knowledge, critical reflection, intellectual empathy, and intercultural competence are developed in order to understand and contribute constructively in discussion with other people's perspectives and understandings of reality.
On completion of the course, the candidate should have achieved the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge about the significance of transnational religious communities, both locally and globally
- has knowledge about the significance of – and changes in – religious belonging and religious community in relation to migration processes and diaspora
- has knowledge about the challenges and possibilities related to religious pluralism and multicultural religious diversity
- has knowledge about the significance of religion in issues related to diversity, equality, and inclusion
- has knowledge about the connections between religion and politics in a transnational perspective
- has knowledge about the significance of religion in conflict and peacebuilding
- has knowledge regarding conflicts between religion and secularity
Skills
The student:
- can reflect on the significance of transnational religious community and belonging, both locally and globally
- can critically reflect on the politicization of religion and religion’s political salience
- can employ appropriate academic perspectives in the analysis of challenges and opportunities connected to transnational religion, religious pluralism, and multicultural religious diversity
- can employ appropriate academic perspectives in the analysis of challenges and opportunities connected to religion, conflict, and peacebuilding
General competence
The student:
- has insight into opportunities and challenges connected to religion and spirituality in a global, national, and local perspective
- can exchange viewpoints with others in this field and participate in discussions on the development of good practices connected to this field
- can present and discuss academic perspectives on this field of knowledge, both in writing and orally, in a reflective and culturally sensitive way
- has intercultural competence linked to religious dimensions of intercultural understanding and interactions
Book Chapter
Secularization, Enlightenment, and Modern Religion
Casanova, José, Secularization, Enlightenment, and Modern Religion, Chicago, Ill., University of Chicago Press, X, 320 s., 1994, 11-39, isbn:0226095347; 0226095355; 9780226095356,
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Book Chapter
This book must be borrowed or purchased.
The Anatomy of the Myth
William T. Cavanaugh, The Anatomy of the Myth, New York, Oxford University Press, 2009, 3-56, isbn:9780195385045,
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Book Chapter
Introduction
Mircea Eliade (1907-1986), Introduction, New York, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 256, 1959, 8-18, isbn:015679201X,
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Article
THE GOOD OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM
Berger, Peter L, New York, Institute of Religion and Public Life, 39-, First things (New York, N.Y.), 262, 2016-04-01, 39-42,
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Book Chapter
Finding Tactics and Making Space: The Individuals and the Communities
Nordin, Magdalena ; Otterbeck, Jonas, Finding Tactics and Making Space: The Individuals and the Communities, Cham, Springer Nature, 2023, 43-67, isbn:9783031307652,
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Book Chapter
The Return of Religion in the Public Sphere? The Public Role of Nordic Faith Communities
Furseth, Inger, The Return of Religion in the Public Sphere? The Public Role of Nordic Faith Communities, Germany, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 221-240, 2017, 221-240, isbn:9783110546323,
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Book Extract
The Role of Religion in Conflict and Peacebuilding
British Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences, 5-8,
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Book Chapter
Religion, Religions, Religious
Jonathan Z. Smith, Mark C Taylor (1945-) (redaktør), Religion, Religions, Religious, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, V, 423, 1998, 269-284, isbn:0226791564,
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Technical Report
Faith on the Move: The Religious Affiliation of International Migrants
Pew Research Center, Policy File, 2012-03-08,
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Book Chapter
The Invention of Religion
Cavanaugh, William T., The Invention of Religion, Oxford, Oxford University Press, VIII, 285 s., cop. 2009, 57-122, isbn:9780195385045,
Book Chapter
The Creation Myth of the Wars of Religion
Cavanaugh, William T., The Creation Myth of the Wars of Religion, Oxford, Oxford University Press, VIII, 285 s., cop. 2009, 123-180, isbn:9780195385045,
Book Chapter
Boundaries and Encounters
Vishanoff, D., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Boundaries and Encounters, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 341-364, isbn:9780191509650,
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Book Chapter
The Uses of the Myth
Cavanaugh, William T., The Uses of the Myth, Oxford, Oxford University Press, VIII, 285 s., cop. 2009, 181-230, isbn:9780195385045,
Book Chapter
Negotiating Space: Strategies of the European States and Politics of Religion
Nordin, Magdalena ; Otterbeck, Jonas, Negotiating Space: Strategies of the European States and Politics of Religion, Cham, Springer Nature, 2023, 69-85, isbn:9783031307652,
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Article
The Conquest of the Temple Scroll and the Creation of the Scholarly Text
Borchardt, Francis, Leiden | Boston, Brill, 31-51, Dead Sea discoveries : a journal of current research on the scrolls and related literature, 1, 31, 2024-02-01, 31-51,
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Book Chapter
INTRODUCTION: Endless War
Havrelock, Rachel, INTRODUCTION: Endless War, United States, Princeton University Press, 1-, 2020-06-30, 1-21, isbn:9780691198934,
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Book Chapter
Identification and Identity Formations around Shared Shrines in West Bank Palestine and Western Macedonia
Bowman, Glenn, Identification and Identity Formations around Shared Shrines in West Bank Palestine and Western Macedonia, Indiana University Press, 10-28, 2012-02-20, 10-28, isbn:9780253356338,
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Book Chapter
Religious Nationalism
Veer, Peter van der, Religious Nationalism, Berkeley, Calif., University of California Press, XVI, 247 s., 1994, 1-24, isbn:0520082567,
Book Chapter
Religion as Hallmark of Nationhood
Perica, Vjekoslav, Religion as Hallmark of Nationhood, New York, Oxford University Press, 2002-07-25, 165-185, isbn:9780195148565,
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Article
Invoking the nation, Strengthening Devotion: National Discourse in the Slovak National Pilgrimage
Alexander Bielicki, Slovakia, 80-81, 43, 2017, 105-129,
Article
Religion and nationalism: four approaches
BRUBAKER, ROGERS, Oxford, UK, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2-20, Nations and nationalism, 1, 18, 2012-01, 2-20,
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Book Chapter
Judaism and the Religious Other
Kessler, E., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Judaism and the Religious Other, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 64-87, isbn:9780191509650,
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Book Chapter
Christianity and the Religious Other
Schmidt-Leukel, P., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Christianity and the Religious Other, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 118-147, isbn:9780191509650,
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Book Chapter
Islam and the Religious Other
Thomas, D., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Islam and the Religious Other, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 148-172, isbn:9780191509650,
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Book Chapter
Interreligious Majority-Minority Dynamics
Phan, P.C. & Tan, J.Y., Cheetham, David ; Pratt, Douglas ; Thomas, David, Cheetham, David ; Thomas, David ; Pratt, Douglas, Interreligious Majority-Minority Dynamics, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 2013, 218-240, isbn:9780191509650,
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Book Chapter
INTRODUCTION: Sharing Sacred Places—A Mediterranean Tradition
Couroucli, Maria, INTRODUCTION: Sharing Sacred Places—A Mediterranean Tradition, Indiana University Press, 1-9, 2012-02-20, 1-9, isbn:9780253356338,
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Article
Producing (Arti) Facts: Archaeology and Power during the British Mandate of Palestine
El-Haj, Nadia Abu, Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 33-61, Israel studies (Bloomington, Ind.), 2, 7, 2002-06-22, 33-61,
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Book
Introduction and Chapters 5, 6, 7, & 8 This book must be borrowed or purchased.
Nonviolence in the world's religions : a concise introduction
Jeffery D. Long (editor.), Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge, 138, 2022, isbn:1003006760,
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Document
A common word between Us and You. A letter from 138 Muslim leaders to Christian leaders worldwide
2007,
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Document
A common word for the common good
Williams, Rowan.,
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Article
Negotiating Religious Differences: The Strategies of Interfaith Chaplains in Healthcare
Cadge, Wendy ; Sigalow, Emily, Hoboken, NJ, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 146-158, Journal for the scientific study of religion, 1, 52, 2013-03, 146-158,
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Book Chapter
Can religion revitalize civil society?: An institutional perspective
Wuthnow, Robert, Can religion revitalize civil society?: An institutional perspective, 191-209, 2003, 191-209, isbn:9780918954855,
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Article
A Climate for Justice? Faith-based Advocacy on Climate Change at the United Nations
Glaab, Katharina, Abingdon, Routledge, 1110-1124, Globalizations, 7, 14, 2017-11-10, 1110-1124,
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Book Chapter
Encounter as Conflict: Interfaith Peace-building
David (David A.) Cheetham (editor.), Encounter as Conflict: Interfaith Peace-building, New York, New York :, Oxford University Press, 1 online resource (viii, 448 pages), 2013.; ©2013, 262-280, isbn:0-19-964584-1; 0-19-150965-5,
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Article
Religion, Conviviality and Complex Diversity
Meintel, D., New Diversities, 1, 18, 2014, 23-36,
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Article
Reframing immigrant religious organizations and practices
Kivisto, Peter, 1-17, Nordic journal of religion and society, 1, 27, 2014, 1-17,
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Pamphlet
Multi-Religious Approaches to Integration
Lyck-Bowen, M., Owen, M.,
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Website
Guds hus
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