TFO1013 – Identity, Ethics and Intercultural Competence
Course content
The complexity of religious and cultural identities and belongings in contemporary societies raises a number of socio-ethical questions. In this course, students will develop competence to address these questions from various perspectives, and in constructive ways. The course consists of three main parts.
The first is informed by the fields of global citizenship studies and political philosophy, and deals with topics like human rights, democratic values and social justice, including focus on racism and societal systems of oppression.
The second part has its basis in interreligious and intercultural studies, with an orientation towards Jewish Studies, drawing on resources for interreligious and intercultural engagement found within Jewish thought and tradition(s), and focuses on religious narratives, philosophical discussion and communities of disagreement.
The third part is more practically oriented and will train students in relevant educational and dialogical skills. In all three parts, identity formation, ethical reflection and intercultural competence will be central aspects of the course, facilitating understandings of intercultural literacy at the intersections between religion, identity, and ethics. Students will engage in theoretical and practical discussions through comprehensive elective readings, critical analysis, and interpretation, and obtain general understandings of central, global concerns on social justice and anti-racist practices.
Learning outcome
Through this course, students will acquire:
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of relevant theoretical positions within contemporary citizenship studies, religious- and political ethics, and their societal relevance
- An understanding of systems and histories of racism, including emphasis on anti-racist practices
- An understanding of central aspects of interreligious and intercultural relations and encounters
- Knowledge of various resources for interreligious and intercultural engagement found within Jewish thought and tradition(s)
- An awareness of the social roles of religious narratives and storytelling
Skills:
- The ability to identify and analyse intersections between identity, culture and ethics
- Specialised training within intercultural and interreligious dialogue
- The ability to convey and teach intercultural insights through a dialogical approach
Admission to the course
Admission to this course is limited to students on the study programme Jewish Studies and Intercultural Competence for Jewish Paths.
The study programme is part of a one-year programme, SHVILIM Jewish Paths, organised by DMT, The Jewish Community of Oslo.
Teaching
Teaching includes a combination of lectures, discussion seminars and one individual, digital supervision on term paper draft.
Mandatory activities:
The course requires a minimum of 80 % presence from the students in the classes.
Students are required to submit two written assignments:
- One reflection note, ca. 1000 words
- One term paper draft, ca. 1000 words
Examination
Term paper, 3000-4000 words.
Language of examination
You may submit your response 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.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.