Learn 2024

In this course we will explore a comparative, historical and critical approaches to the study of religion - in the first instance through exploring how religion is defined, understood and practiced, and then through learning intimately about the major religious traditions of South Africa, and beyond.

In this class we will explore social, historical and comparative perspectives on religion. While the course will focus on religions in South Africa, we will also study the idea of religion more generally. The course will include possible site visits to a mosque, temple or synagogue.

I hope that the course will be fun and engaging, and that at the end of the semester, you will have developed a deeper understanding of religion as a social phenomenon, and not just as belief and practices.

This module aims at exploring the role of media in religion, specifically the study of digital religion from a lived religions perspective. Beginning with an examination of the history, definition, concepts and methods of the field, it moves onto thematic explorations of digital religion scholarship across varied religious traditions. Students develop an understanding of how scholars study religion and faith identities, beliefs, and practices online, and how the religious and digital arenas influence and shape one another.

Aim: This module aims to bring together a broad understanding of qualitative (and quantitative) methods of research taken from the social sciences and applied to the study of religion and culture.

Content: An introduction to the various approaches to the study of religion, giving the student insight into contemporary debates surrounding the issues of methodology in the context of religious and cultural studies, including digital religion.

Learners will be able to gain an understanding of:

·         concept development, e.g. nature and definition of research in religion, and culture, as well as a variety of research approaches used within the study of religion;

·         understanding the difference between research methodologies and research methods;

·          the systematic study of research methodological approaches, aspects of the research process, especially qualitative research;