RESA3500 – Religion, Theology and Social Media
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Doing religion always implies doing community in some way or another. In contemporary society, community – and thus religion – is not only mediated in real life, but also as internet-mediated sociality. How does this change and challenge religion i.e. religiosity and theology? This is the starting point of our course. The course will provide an overview over relevant literature in the field. The students will also be introduced to methodical and ethical perspectives of current empirical research on religion, theology and social media. Different theoretical approaches to the study of internet-mediated sociality will be presented, with emphasis on possible interpretations within and implications for religious studies and theology. Through a number of cases, perspectives of method and research ethics for netnography will also be explored. Students are expected to carry out a small research project on their own.
Learning outcome
Through this course, students should have obtained insight about the role of current internet mediated sociality, both the phenomenon itself and its implications for reflecting upon religion and theology. They should also have obtained an acquintace with and be able to make use of nethnography as a method for research.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with RESA4500 – Religion, Theology and Social Media
Teaching
The course is designed as a flexible course with 1 + 3 days of on-campus learning activities combined with online student activities between the on-campus teaching days. We will both make use of and study religion and theology trough different social media.
During the course, the following assignments must be fulfilled:
- A book chapter or article review of 1000 - 1500 Words.
- A minor, multimedial nethnographical case study, field and topic chosen in collaboration with the teachers. The study is to be presented and discussed in class.
Examination
Three days home exam 3000-4000 Words.
Submit assignments in Inspera
You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.