REL133 Small religious minorities in Norway

Course contents

The course gives an introduction to religious minorities that are relatively small in Norway, and where the followers in various ways distinguish themselves from greater society. It deals with independent religions, with schools of thought, groups and networks within the great world religions, and with alternative spiritual movements. Central questions will be about the experience of being a member of a religious minority and about society’s attitudes and state politics.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students shall

Knowledge

• Have broad knowledge about minority rights, minority politics and freedom of religion

• Have knowledge about religions like Sikhism, Bahai and Scientology

• Have knowledge about conservative Christian communities, movements and organisations like Laestadianism, Brunstad Christian Church and Menigheten Samfundet

• Have knowledge about movements which are not fully acknowledged by the majority in the large world religions, like Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints and Ahmadiyya

• Be familiar with various forms of alternative spirituality and some new religious movements

Skills

• Be able to reflect on legislation, subject literature and media’s description of religious minorities and how the minorities themselves can experience the meeting with media, health- and education institutions and cultural life

• Be able to assess various perspectives on and interpretations of religious minorities, including exclusion practices and questions related to defection

General competence

• Be able to convey themes from the course in various genres

• Be able to assess and apply theory and a broad spectre of sources in order to interpret minority religion in today’s society

Examination requirements

Approved portfolio and excursion reports.

For students in teacher education: The practice period must be completed and passed. The scope of the portfolio and the excursion reports will be reduced accordingly.

Further information will be given on Canvas when the semester starts.

Teaching methods

Lectures, group work, literary- and media analysis, excursions.

For students in teacher education: Practice

The excursions are local and will not imply expenses.

The workload is estimated at 270 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes. Subject to availability or capacity.

Assessment methods and criteria

Portfolio. Graded assessment.