EPN-V2

UTVB2200 Education and Religion in Developmnet - Intermediate Level Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Utdanning og religion i utvikling
Study programme
Bachelor's Programme in Development Studies
Education and Religion in Development
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2018/2019
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

The course description is approved 22.05.12 by the Dean on behalf of the Academic Affairs Committee, Faculty of Education and International Studies and revised 23.05.13. Minor change approved 03.06.2016. Latest revision approved by the Academic Affairs Committee 11.05.17.

The Faculty of Education and International Studies at Oslo and Akershus University College (HiOA) offers interdisciplinary courses in Development Studies and North-South relations, leading to a Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits in Development Studies. This course on 'Education and Religion in Development' is a course at the intermediate level and gives 10 ECTS credits.

The course will be taught in English or Norwegian, depending on needs according to the participants' language abilities. The exam papers can be written in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

Required preliminary courses

See programme description.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has obtained the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has knowledge of

  • the role of education in the process of social change
  • the role of different religious traditions as part of educational systems, and how these traditions interplay with patterns of change in different regions in the South
  • the role of education in nation building and in influencing individual growth, intellectually and emotionally
  • the Rights Perspective and how the policy goal of 'Education for All' relates to the needs of various groups in society
  • the relationship between religion, educational systems and politics, and how numerous conflicts are related to religious identities
  • the influence of religion both on changing and maintaining social organization, and how it intersects with other differences

Skills

The student

  • can reflect critically on the role of education in the process of change in society and how religious traditions interplay

General competence

The student

  • is familiar with issues related to education, religion and development and can present them in an independent way, orally and in writing

Content

Education, knowledge and competence are crucial elements in all theories and strategies for development. The course will focus specifically on the role of education in processes of social change as they have played out in history.Religion is an important foundation in many people's lives and often influences educational systems. Religion also works as an educational praxis on its own terms, as part of people's culture and ethos. The course will focus specifically on how religion is a crucial element in educational traditions, both historically and in contemporary societies. The course will take into consideration how education enables individual empowermentand stimulates national consolidation and poverty reduction. Further, it will be studied how modernization and globalization processes change education systems and give education new roles and importance in society.

Religion may be one important part of people's identity, and a growing attention is given to its uses and misuses in the context of politics and political conflicts. The course will highlight the ways in which religion interplays with various dimensions of social organization and differences, such as class, caste, gender and ethnicity. The relationship between religion and development is also a topic of growing interests in newer research. Importance will be given to how globalization also reshapes the meaning of religion in the development processes.

Principal themes are:

a. Tradition, modernity and the role of education

The analysis will take up connections between concepts of knowledge, culture and education systems. It will further discuss the influence of educational traditions on quality and relevance on education systems in contemporary times.

b. Education, national identity and the challenge of globalization

The analysis will focus on the relationship between education and state power under the challenge of globalization, in the light of knowledge and competence as crucial factors in the competition for power in modern society.

c. Rights perspectives and 'Education for All'

Analysis of education in international cooperation and how Rights perspectives can be ensured.

d. Tradition, modernity and the role of religion

The analysis will focus on the content of different religious traditions in regions in the South. It will address how religion works as part of the educational systems, and their reciprocal influence in shaping the societies.

e. Religion, development and globalization

The analysis will focus on the connections between the presence of religion amongst many people in societies in the South, how faith-based organizations take part in development processes.

Teaching and learning methods

The course will be running full time for six weeks. Seminar activities can be included in the lectures, where students are expected to participate actively.

Course requirements

The course description is approved 07.04.11 by the Academic Affairs Committee, Faculty of Education and International Studies. Revisions approved 23.05.13 and 02.05.14. Minor changes approved 24.10.16. Latest revision approved by the Academic Affairs Committee 11.05.17.

The Faculty of Education and International Studies at Oslo and Akershus University College (HiOA) offers interdisciplinary courses in Development Studies and North-South relations, leading to a Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits in Development Studies. This module 'Development and Migration' is a course at the intermediate level. Fulfilled requirements and a passable grade entitle the student to 10 ECTS credits.

This interdisciplinary course will seek to combine perspectives from social science and humanities on development and migration. Drawing on contributions from history, anthropology, sociology, political economy and geography the course is concerned with the historical processes of migration, the individuals who migrate and the consequences of the migration processes.

The course will be taught in English or Norwegian, depending on needs according to the participants' language abilities. Students may submit assignments in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

Assessment

Final assessment will be based on an individual written assignment for five days based on a given topic. The writing of the assignment must be based on the course literature. The paper should be of 3200 words (+/-10 %) / approx. 8 pages.

In case of failed exam/legal absence, the student can submit a new paper when a new/postponed exam is arranged. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam.

The student is responsible for applying for a new exam within the time limits set by HiOA and the Faculty of Education and International Studies. Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at Oslo and Akershus University College. More information about registration and time for new or postponed examinations is available at the HIOA web site.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

Examination support material permitted.

Grading scale

The course will be running full time for six weeks. Some seminar activities can be included in the course programme, where students are expected to participate actively.

Examiners

To qualify to sit for the final exam, the student is required to write an academic paper of 2000 words (+/- 10%) on a given topic. This will enable the student to engage with the course literature and critically reflect on a particular topic. The assignment must be submitted digitally through HiOA's Learning Management System and within the stipulated deadline. No individual supervision will be provided for this paper.

The paper will be assessed as either 'approved' or 'not approved'. Students who do not get the required pass may rewrite and resubmit their paper once within a given deadline. Students who due to illness or other documented reasons for legal absence fail to submit this coursework requirement within the set deadline, can be given a new deadline. In this case, the student shall present the documents confirming his/her illness/reason.

Admission requirements

The final assessment of this module consists of a four hours written exam.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student can apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exam is offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. Submission and assessment of this will be in accordance with the conditions originally applicable.

The student is responsible for applying to sit for a new or postponed exam within the deadlines stipulated by HiOA and the Faculty of Education and International Studies. The regulations governing examinations are set out in the document -Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at Oslo and Akershus University College.