Theories and Methods: Discourse and Religious Studies, Distance Learning
The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It is included in Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.
This course is a preparation for writing a research paper in religious studies and theology. Students choose one of three subjects, which they have previously chosen as their specialisation: Biblical studies with history of religions, or church history with systematic theology, or practical theology with religious behavioural science. In the first part of the course, students learn the basics of writing a research paper and how to present their findings. The second part discusses how to formulate a problem and a research question, and how to apply theories to a specific material or research object. In the third part, students become familiar with theories and the use of specific methods within the subject. In the final part, students choose, in collaboration with their supervisors, their own literature related to their problem formulation.
Learning objectives
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
- explain theories and methods in the science of religion and theology;
- relate theories in the study of religions and theology to methods in the study of religions and theology;
Competence and skills
- apply theories and methods to the chosen area;
- use different writing techniques provided in the course;
Judgement and approach
- independently compare, evaluate and argue for the choice of methods, based on a problem formulation;
- identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning
Requirements
Courses equivalent to 90 credits from the First Cycle in the humanities, social sciences, educational sciences, theology, law or health sciences, or equivalent competence. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.
Course Literature
(1) Academic Writing
Lucretia B. Yaghjian, Writing Theology Well. A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers. London & New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2015 (427 pp).
(2) Choose one of the following:
(A) Historical Methods
W. H. McDowell, Historical Research: A Guide. Harlow, Ess.: Pearson Education, 2002 (256 pp). 44
Robert Evans, Reception History, Tradition and Biblical Interpretation. Gadamer and Jauss in Current Practice. London & New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2014 (279 pp).
(B) Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
Daniella Kuzmanovic & Andreas Bandak, Qualitative Analysis in the Making. New York & London: Routledge, 2015 (202 pp).
John W. Creswell & J. David Creswell, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Approaches. London: Sage Publications, 2018 (246 pp).
(C) Liturgical Methods
Juliette J. Day, Reading the Liturgy. An Exploration of Texts in Christian Worship. London & New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2014 (166 pp).
Teresa Berger & Bryan D. Spinks, Liturgy’s Imagined Past/s. Methodologies in the Writing of Liturgical History Today. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2016 (302 pp).
(3) Individually chosen literature with the supervisor.
Syllabus
See the syllabus for further information.