758205 Tutkimusala V Religious Movements and Social Change

Target group/Course level

This course is intended only for anthropology students at the MA level. The course is most suitable for those students who plan to write their MA thesis on a topic related to religion in “western” societies.

Content

The aim of this course is to discuss the dynamics of religion in the context of more general socio-cultural changes in modern societies. Focusing on the so-called New Religious Movements mainly in Western societies, we will explore various topics of broader theoretical interest for anthropologists such as religious conversion and apostasy, secularization, the relationship of religion and power, as well as different aspects of authority, gender and violence.

Completion

The course consists of a set of lectures, a mini-fieldwork and discussion seminars.