EPN-V2

QUTVRELIG Religion, Society and Power in South Asia Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Religion, Society and Power in South Asia
Study programme
Religion and Power
Weight
20.0 ECTS
Year of study
2024/2025
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

A minimum of three out of a possible eight individual assignments, in addition to an individual project report is required. The assignments consist of reflection tasks, such as mini-essays or opinion pieces of approximately two pages each. A one-page outline including the topic and the structure of the project report is required. The outline must be approved by the course coordinator/course teacher/supervisor within a set deadline. If the outline is not approved the first time, the student may submit a revised version within a second, set deadline.

Required preliminary courses

The final assessment/examination consists of two parts:

  • Oral group presentation of a case in a group, which counts for 50% of the grade. The oral presentation will last 20 minutes and all the members of the group must contribute actively to the presentation. The presentation can be given in either English, Norwegian or a combination of the two languages.
  • An individual project report (3 000-4 000 words), which counts for 50% of the grade. The report can be written in either English or Norwegian.

Each group may consist of 2-5 candidates.

Both the oral presentation and the individual report must receive an E or better to be given a passing grade for the course as a whole.

The oral presentation cannot be appealed.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • is capable of describing the position of occupational therapy within the practical training establishment´s framework and organisation on different levels
  • is capable of describing how organisational and structural circumstances affect occupational therapy in the practical training establishment (spring)
  • has knowledge of relevant user groups, academic issues and occupational therapy methods in the practical training establishment

Skills

The student is capable of

  • reflecting on the contents of the service provided in the practical training establishment
  • using a client-centred approach
  • communicating in a therapeutic manner with users
  • using and documenting work methods in occupational therapy processes
  • using methods specific to the profession and mapping tools and treatment in the practical training establishment
  • using and giving grounds for the use of activity-based activity analysis
  • looking up and using relevant literature to assess patients/users and issues in the practical training establishment
  • looking up and conveying research articles relevant to the practical training establishment (autumn)
  • looking up, conveying and critically assessing research articles relevant to the practical training establishment (spring)
  • discussing theory, practice and ethics by using clinical reasoning (autumn)
  • theory, practice and ethics by using clinical reasoning (spring)
  • reflecting on their practice and demonstrating the ability to correct therapeutic approaches in line with supervision (autumn)
  • critically assessing their practice and demonstrating the ability to correct therapeutic approaches in line with supervision and identifying their own needs in terms of professional development (spring)

Competence

The student is capable of

  • identifying professional and ethical issues and dilemmas (autumn)
  • identifying and reflecting on professional and ethical issues and dilemmas (spring)
  • practising in accordance with professional ethical guidelines and applicable legislation
  • taking responsibility and demonstrating initiative, cooperation skills and independence during practical training and for their own learning
  • documenting and presenting user-related work both orally and in writing
  • cooperating with other professional groups and parties

Content

The program consists of two interdependent courses: Religion, society and power in South Asia and Anthropology: Religion and power

1. Anthropology: Religion and Power (10 ECTS) Anthropology: Religion and Power

The course is suitable for students with prior knowledge of anthropology as well as for students with no formal anthropological training who have an interest in general anthropological issues. The course offers analytical perspectives on enduring anthropological fields of interests ' such as religion and ritual, political structures and the dynamics of power, gender, ethnicity, sociocultural change, and research practices and methodology. Its theoretical emphasis is on the most recent developments within anthropological approaches to religion as a sociocultural phenomenon, paying special attention to how the major world religions of Christianity and Islam are perceived, received and appropriated in different cultural contexts and localities. Based on a selection of ethnographic monographs and articles, the course facilitates and encourages broad cross-cultural comparison, which is a key feature of the discipline. The comparative method promotes an exploration of structural similarities as well as diversities in response to social and ideological change. This opens for a better-informed approach to the otherwise vague and frequently opinionated studies of so-called globalization. In addition, the detailed empirical descriptions of the monographs will stimulate critical reflection on the cultural origins of the norms, values and practices of the students' own societies. The cross-cultural comparative approach is also a valuable methodological tool in relation to the regional course, Religion, society and power in South Asia .

2. Religion, society and power in South Asia (20 ECTS)

The course provides students with knowledge of religious diversity and pluralism in the South Asian region, today and throughout history, and enables them to reflect analytically on religious pluralism as a phenomenon. The course addresses the interplay between different religious traditions and their reciprocal influence in shaping the region. Emphasis is also put on the numerous, and frequently violent, conflicts that religious diversity has brought about, and particularly on the relationship between religion and politics in the formation of the modern Indian state. The course is customized to students' stay in Pondicherry, where the religious pluralism and diversity at stake is experienced daily. Regular lectures and seminars are supplemented with excursions and 'mini fieldworks', facilitating a unique empirical approach to the theoretical perspectives and general analytical insights. In combination with the course Anthropology: Religion and power , students are provided a rare opportunity for first-hand experience of the role of religion in multicultural societies.

Teaching and learning methods

Pass/fail

Course requirements

The following required coursework must be approved:

  • a minimum attendance of 90% in the introduction to the course, practical training, practical training seminars and group supervision
  • cooperation agreement with a development plan submitted and approved within the deadline
  • three individual written assignments, up to 1,500 words per assignment. Relevant mapping and/or assessment forms must accompany the submissions. The student will be given two attempts at having the written assignments approved during the practical training period
  • presentation of a digital account produced by the student (autumn)

Assessment

Practical training

Assessment content:The learning outcomes

Form of assessment: Assessment of practical training, including written coursework requirements

Time: Fourth semester

Attendance requirements for supervised placement (90%)

Grading scale

Pass/fail

Examiners

The midway and final assessments are made by the practical training supervisor and the contact lecturer at the university. The final decision on whether to award a pass or fail grade is made by the university.

Admission requirements

Target groups

The Religion and Power program directs itself to

  • bachelor students
  • professionals (journalists, teachers, diplomats, NGO workers, etc.) and others who seek to deepen their knowledge on, and analytical skills related to, the course topic

Admission requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements for Higher Education Entrance Qualification in Norway ( generell studiekompetanse ).