Course program
The course aims to investigate the main theoretical and methodological orientations in the scientific study of religions. It is divided into two thematic cores. The first part aims to construct a framework for the study of theories. The second part of deepening aims to outline a systematic framework of the various perspectives in the study of religion, also through practical activities and group analyses of selected readings.
Prerequisites
At the beginning of the course, the student must have a basic understanding of the methods and theories in the study of religions.
Books
1. Materiali didattici e letture;
2. J. Jensen, Che cosa è la religione? Bulzoni, Roma 2018
3. H. Kippenberg, La scoperta della storia delle religioni. Scienza delle religioni e modernità, Morcelliana, Brescia 2021 (seconda edizione italiana);
4. B. Nongbri, Prima della religione. Storia di una categoria moderna, Claudiana, Torino, 2022;
5. J.Z Smith, Un problema di classe. Saggi di introduzione alla storia delle religioni, Morcelliana, Brescia 2024 (saggi scelti: capp. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15);
Gli studenti non frequentanti sostituiranno il punto 1 con uno dei seguenti testi:
• R. Dunbar, Come la religione si è evoluta (e perché continua a esistere), Mimesis, Sesto San Giovanni, 2024.
• A. Geertz, Approcci cognitivi ed evoluzionistici alla religione, Patron, Bologna, 2020;
• D. Sabbatucci, La prospettiva storico-religiosa, Saggiatore, Milano 2000;
• D. Xygalatas, Ritual. Storia dell’umanità tra natura e magia, Feltrinelli, Milano 2023.
Frequency
The lessons will predominantly be conducted in a frontal manner; however, in order to apply the acquired knowledge, exercises, readings, and case studies will be proposed.
Exam mode
The assessment method is oral, with open-ended stimuli and responses, and takes place at the end of the course. In the evaluation, concerning attending students, consideration will be given to their abilities to apply knowledge and comprehension, attendance, and participation in the course, particularly regarding group discussion moments.
Bibliography
The volume by J. Jensen (Che cosa è la religione?) aims to provide students with the theoretical skills necessary for the preliminary work dealt with in the first part of the course.
The volume by H. Kippenberg (La scoperta della storia delle religioni. Scienza delle religioni e modernità) aims to equip students with the skills required to address the section concerning the history of historiography in the scientific study of religion.
The volume by B. Nongbri (Prima della religione) aims to provide students with the necessary competencies to engage with the section on the historicization of the notion of religion.
The volume by J. Z. Smith (Un problema di classe) aims to furnish students with the main theoretical‐methodological tools in the scientific study of religion.
Lesson mode
The lessons will predominantly be conducted in a frontal manner; however, in order to apply the acquired knowledge, exercises, readings, and case studies will be proposed.
