205 Religion and society in the global south

Kohderyhmä

Maximum of 35 students are taken to the course. In case there are more registered students, the students of the organizing departments (Institute of Development Studies, Renvall institute, Institute for Asian and African Studies) are prioritized.

Oppimistavoite

Over the past two decades, globalization has become the buzzword in both academic as well as popular discourse. At the same time, we have witnessed the intensifying significance of world religions, be it Islam or evangelical Christianity, in the international politics. Generally, the term globalization is taken to describe processes that are taking place partly due to the ever-increasing compression of time and space as well as recent rapid advances of information and communication technology. The term globalization has been used as a descriptive term to draw attention to the global capitalist economy, migration and transnationalism referring to the rapidly accelerating circulation of commodities, people, images and media products on the global scale. However, many scholars have sought to situate globalization in the local communities suggesting that the processes of globalization do not necessarily lead to greater cultural homogeneity. Concepts such as glocalization have been introduced to describe those different forms that that the impact of globalization can take in different cultures and societies.

World religions such as Christianity and Islam are, by definition, globalizing projects. For instance, during the past two decades Latin American and African societies have witnessed a phenomenal growth of certain forms of Protestant Christianity. Contemporary Pentecostalism provides a prime example of the paradox between a homogenizing cultural force and a culturally specific localizing project. Similar phenomena have been described in the context of Islam in relation to globalization and transnationalism. The opposition between local particularism and universalism has been a recurrent theme throughout history. Islam as a globalizing force has been shaped in its encounter with local social and cultural conceptions. Furthermore, in the context of globalization and increased mobility, transnational networks have been strengthened.

The aim of this course is to analyze religion as a societal force in the global South in the context of globalization. The course is cross-disciplinary and draws from the on-going research at different Topelia departments. We draw from examples from Latin America and Africa, from Christianity and Islam in discussing globalizing forces, localizing tendencies and transnational networks.

Kurssin sisältö /ohjelma

14.1 Introduction to the study of religion in the context of globalization – concepts and approaches (Hasu)

15.1 Religion and Society in Latin America - Overview (Vuola)

21.1 Protestant Growth and Religious Conflicts in Southern Mexico (Gross)

22.1 Latin American Liberation Theology Today (Vuola)

28.1 Faith Based Organizations and Development – African Perspectives on Transnational Networks (Hasu)

29.1 Global Pentecostalism in Africa –Tanzanian Examples (Hasu)

4.2 The Symbols of Global Islam (Dahlgren)

5.2 Global Islam and Modernity (Dahlgren)

11.2 Visit to a faith based organization or community

12.2 Contemporary currents of Islam in West-Africa (Virtanen)

18.2 Diversity of Islam in Cameroon (Virtanen)

26.2 Exam

Työtavat ja suorittaminen

In order to successfully complete the course students are required

• to attend and actively participate during the lectures
• visit in student pairs one faith based organization or community
• write a report on the visit
• successfully pass the final examination

Course literature (selected chapters):

Peter Beyer and Lori Beaman (eds) Religion, Globalization and Culture. International Studies in Religion and Society, vol. 6. Leiden: Brill 2007

Chapters to be read:

George M. Thomas: The Cultural and religious Character of World Society

José Casanova: Rethinking Secularization: A Global Comparative Perspective

Gary D. Bouma: Religious Resurgence, Conflict and the Transformation of Boundaries

George Van Pelt Campbell: Religion and Phases of Globalization

William A. Stahl: Religious Opposition to Globalization

Michael Wilkinson: Religion and Global Flows

Afe Adogame: Sub-Saharan Africa

Paul Freston: Latin America: The “Other Christendom”, Pluralism and Globalization

Suggestions for institutions of visit:

Religion and society - North in the South:

• Suomen lähetysseura – Finnish Missionary Society
• Kirkon ulkomaanapu
• Fida International
• World Vision
• Suomen Luterilainen Evankeliumiyhdistys SLEY
• Herättäjä-Yhdistys
• Evankelis-luterilainen Lähetysyhdistys Kylväjä
• Helsingin diakonissalaitos (CUAHA projekti)
• Suomen Evankelisluterilainen Kansanlähetys
• Ortodoksinen lähetys
• Suomen Vapaakirkko

Religion and society - South in the North:

• Redeemed Christian Church of Christ (Hosanna Chapel)
• Lighthouse Christian Center
• Islamic community in Finland (Suomen Islam-yhdyskunta)
• Islamic Relief