This course presents students with advanced knowledge of the subject field of religion and development (RaD). The field of RaD will be related to the field of poverty research to integrate the notion of poverty as the third, interrelated element of the conceptual nexus.
This course presents students with advanced knowledge of the subject field of religion and development (RaD). The field of RaD will be related to the field of poverty research to integrate the notion of poverty as the third, interrelated element of the conceptual nexus.
The course is structured into three broad themes. In the first part, students are exposed to current foundational issues and conceptual understanding in the academic discourse on RaD. In the second part, through an intentional deepening of the conceptual exploration of poverty, the focus more pertinently shifts towards making the theoretical connection between the contemporary global realities of wealth and income inequality. Capability approach is introduced as a theoretical tool to approach social development and poverty. In the third part, the threads between the threefold conceptual focus are brought together more pointedly. Three topical foci are touched upon that deal more closely with the intersections between religious faith and economic activity, poverty alleviation, women (gender), and Christian social practice and human dignity.
Main Subjects
- Conceptual understandings of religion, poverty and development.
- Wealth, income inequality and the consequences of poverty.
- Social development and the capabilities approach to development.
- Religious affiliation, beliefs and economic activity / poverty alleviation.
- Women, gender, religion and development.
- Christian social practice, poverty and human dignity.
Learning Outcome
Completing the course will give the candidates the following learning outcome, sectioned into knowledge, skills, and general competence:
Knowledge
The student
- has advanced knowledge of the combined academic fields of Religion and Development (RaD) and Poverty Research and specialized insight in the interconnections between the threefold conceptual focus
- can apply knowledge to new areas within the academic fields of RaD and Poverty Research
Skills
The student
- can analyze and deal critically with various sources of information on religion, development and poverty and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
- can analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations in the fields and work independently on practical and theoretical problems
- can use relevant methods for research and scholarly development work in an independent manner in the academic fields of RaD and Poverty Research
General competence
The student
- can apply his/her knowledge and skills in the subject fields in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects
- can communicate extensive independent work and master language and terminology of the academic fields
- can communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in the fields, both with specialists and the general public
- can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes
This is a session-based, online study with a gathering for students in Oslo in week 42.