General
The course is offered as a freestanding course. It is part of the Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 credits.
Course Description
How do we distinguish between the “real” world and the “observable” world? Critical realists and many scientists make a distinction between the “real” world that exists independent from human perceptions, theories, and constructions and the “observable” world. While the “real” cannot be observed, the “observable” is constructed from our perspectives and experiences. In this course, we take a closer look at the relationship between objectivity and subjectivity, as well as on the relation between “real” and “observable,” and what is “real”/exists (ontology) and what we can know and understand about the “real” (epistemology). Through these perspectives we try to understand the relationship between science, philosophy, and religion. Throughout the course, students will listen to different voices grappling with the big questions in the field of religious studies and theology.
Learning Outcomes
After completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. Knowledge and understanding:
1.1 relate various positions on science, philosophy and religion, within the field of religious studies and theology, and identify how they apply theories on various materials and research objects
1.2 identify positions in the current scholarly discourse on science, philosophy and religion, within the field of religious studies and theology
2. Competence and skills:
2.1 independently identify, formulate and solve problems related to ontology and epistemology, as well as problems related to objectivity and subjectivity, within the field of religious studies
2.2 identify and analyze critically various approaches to religious studies and epistemology, with the use of appropriate critical methods within a given time frame
3. Judgement and approach:
3.1 select and argue for appropriate methods for the study of the relationship between science, philosophy and religion, and the limitations such methods impose on the object of study, from both a disciplinary, social and ethical perspective
3.2 assess and argue for the limitations of intersectionality in the field of science, philosophy and religion, and the need for ongoing research in the field as well as the ethical problems and social concerns that concern the intersectionality.
See course plan for more information.