The course is structured into four broad themes. In the first part, students are exposed to current foundational issues and debates in the academic discourse on RaD. In the second part, a selection of literature is studied that offers separate, deeper theoretical understandings of the three concepts in focus (religion, poverty and development). In the third 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 and the effects of poverty on these realities. In the fourth part, the threads between the threefold conceptual focus are brought together more pointedly. Seven topical foci are touched upon that deal more closely with the intersections between religious faith and economic activity, faith-based organizations and development, women (gender), religion and development, religion and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and Christian social practice and human dignity.

This course will be of important value to students in the field of Diakonia and Christian Social Practice seeking to broaden their theoretical base and prepare for their master theses.

Dates

All the lectures are digital

Main Subjects:

• Foundational issues and debates in the field of religion and development.
• Poverty as a focus in religion and development.
• Conceptual understandings of religion, poverty and development.
• Social development and the capabilities approach to development.
• Wealth, income inequality and the consequences of poverty.
• Religious affiliation, beliefs and economic activity / poverty alleviation.
• Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) as catalysts or impediments in development.
• Women, gender, religion and development.
• Religion and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• 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
• has thorough knowledge of the scholarly theories and methods in the combined fields of RaD and Poverty Research
• can apply knowledge to new areas within the academic fields of RaD and Poverty Research
• can analyze academic problems on the basis of the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of the academic subject fields

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
• can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics

General competence

The student

• can analyze relevant academic, professional and research ethical problems
• 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