TEACHING IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-2017 / FACULTY OF THEOLOGY (15.4.2016, subject to change!) Course name, Type of the course Learning outcomes Methods of completion Start and finish date Semester & Teaching period: I, II (fall) III-IV (spring) Fall 2016 Spring 2017 PRACTICAL THEOLOGY: Teaching Islam in secular societies After the studied course the student is familiarised with an approach of a comparative research of Religious Education to the theme. The student can master the dimensions of the contemporary Intermediate study unit including theme, and is able to interpret the Finnish a lecture course, 5 ECTS cr culture and society in the context of globalising, multicultural and international Teacher: Jenny Berglund contexts. The student can examine research-based and critically the current points of view concerning the studied theme. Contact teaching, active field work (observations, interviewing etc.), studying literature, and reporting in academic essays The contact teaching will be given in two intensive periods: TUE 1.11. 12 18 WED 2.11. 8 12 WED 7.12. 12 18 THU 8.12., 8 12 BIBLICAL STUDIES: Religions & Material Culture Lecture course, 2 ECTS cr Teacher: Rick Bonnie At the end of this course, student will be (1) familiar with the major developments in research on the study of religion through material culture; and (2) able to explain the relevancy of certain methods within the study of religion through material culture. During the course, students will write 6 short reflection papers (± 500 words) based upon weekly assigned readings. MON 31.10.-12.12., 14-17 (no class on Monday 14.11.) BIBLICAL STUDIES: After the course students will have a comprehensive knowledge of mortuary Death, Burial and Afterlife in practices and beliefs as they are expressed the Bible and in Early Judaism in the Bible and in early Jewish literature and material culture. The students will also have a general knowledge of anthropo- Active participation including a 10-15 minute presentation in class and a written analysis (10-12 pages) of a case-study WED 2.11.-14.12., 9-12
Lecture course, 2 ECTS cr Teacher: Anne de Hemmer BIBLICAL STUDIES: Biblical hermeneutics Lecture course, 2 or 5 ECTS cr Teacher: Izaak de Hulster logical theory regarding death rites and consisting of a combination of beliefs as well as a practical understanding text and material culture. of how these theories can be applied to the texts and material culture discussed in the course. The students will be able to analyze a case-study and to assess this case-study's importance for our understanding of mortuary practices and beliefs in early Judaism and Christianity and to formulate their findings in writing as an academic argument. After the course the student will be able to: - describe the role of hermeneutics in different theological disciplines; - describe the relations between biblical hermeneutics and different theological disciplines; - describe the basics of hermeneutics (communication, context, meaning, etc.); - list crucial issues when approaching the Bible as authoritative (canon, doctrine of Scripture, etc.); - list important criteria for applications of the Bible (sound reasoning, context, etc.); - list important issues in biblical Theology; - analyse the interpretation of a biblical text; - evaluate the interpretation of a biblical text; - apply a model of hermeneutics, e.g., based on rereading; - apply a model of biblical hermeneutics, e.g., in order to combine biblical studies and As 2-credit course. As the aim of this course is to engage as a learning community the many rich facets of biblical hermeneutics and their interrelationships with various theological disciplines input from the students is important. For completion of the course the students need to attend the classes; active participation is expected (A). The first classes provide a basis in hermeneutics, then follow two classes in which general topics and topics of the students' interest are discussed and in which the students prepare presentations on topics chosen in - mutual agreement (B) for the final two classes that have a more practical focus. Third, the - students write a final reflection Only one teaching period; classes of three hours - seminar style.
homiletics or employ the Bible in ethical issues (private or public). (like a learning diary entry) with regard to the complete course (C). If desirable, an optional, additional meeting can be planned for reflection and evaluation. A counts for 25%, B for 50%, and C for 25%. - As 5-credit course. Because hermeneutics forms an integration point of the theological disciplines this 2- credit lecture course in English can be extended into a 5-credit course by writing a paper (or doing literature study in some other form) in the following disciplines: Biblical Studies (Theologies of the Old Testament, reception history, New Testament), Systematic Theology, or Practical Theology (esp. with regard to liturgy or homiletics) // Because the focus of this course is mainly on the so-called West, the literature study is also possible in global Christianity (TEO213) focusing on nonwestern Bible readings.
BIBLICAL STUDIES: Worshippers of Baal? An Introduction to Phoenician History and Religion Lecture course, 2 ECTS cr Teacher: Helen Dixon -Develop a deeper understanding of the process of history-writing, including reconciling archaeological sites and artifacts with documentary and other literary texts. -Critically evaluate past research and discuss how new evidence can change what we think we know about the past. -Use selections from the Hebrew bible (as well as other ancient texts) as historical sources, evaluating their perspectives and weighing their contributions to historical problems. -Explain the progression of Phoenician history as it is usually written, while recognizing the complicated socio-cultural context of the Iron Age Levantine world. -Give an in-depth summary of a debate or problem in the study of Phoenician religion, and identify sources which contribute to or complicate our understanding of that feature of Phoenician religion. Students will obtain credit through attendance and engagement during class meetings (10%), five English writing reflections of 300-600 words, or 1-2 pages (35%), one 'object biography' assignment of 500-800 words, or 2-3 pages (25%), and one in-class presentation on a problem in Phoenician religion (30%). MON 5.9-17.10, 13-16 I period STUDY OF RELIGIONS: Key Theories in the Sociology of Religion Study group, 5 ECTS cr Teacher: Titus Hjelm At the end of the course, students will have acquired: 1. an understanding of sociological theories of religion in the modern world 2. the ability to relate this theoretical understanding to empirical data and analyses 3. a grasp of the competing approaches in the field Coursework essay on a topic agreed with the tutor. WED 15.3. 3.5., 14-16 IV period
4. an appreciation of the roles of models and theories in social scientific knowledge 5. an ability to distil information, present ideas and defend a theoretical position. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: Pragmatist Perspectives on the Philosophy of Religion General understanding of the pragmatist tradition in the philosophy of religion and its contemporary developments. Exam, essay. This course can be offered to any English-speaking students that might be interested. TUE & THU 14.3.-4.5., 10-12 Lecture course, 2 ECTS cr Teacher: Sami Philström CHURCH HISTORY: Churches and Communism from Global Perspectives Lecture course, 2 ECTS cr Teacher: Mikko Malkavaara The student will - understand similarities and differences in relations between churches and Communism in different countries and at different times - learn about different ways of reaction towards Communism within the churches and Christian movements - understand the causes of the Chinese Revolution of 1949 and of the creation of the People s Republic of China - get information on the consequences of the Communist Revolution for Christianity and Churches in China and reflect the reaction of the churches to the Communist regime - understand the religious policy of the PRC from the early 1950s to the end of the 20th century - evaluate the role of the official churches (both Catholic and Protestant) and the Lecture diary MON 31.10. 12.12., 14 17
status of the so called underground churches in China -appreciate the centrality of anticommunism for U.S. fundamentalist and evangelical churches public theology and activities during the Cold War - learn about the infiltration of Communists in Cold War era churches and attempt to expose their influence in the World Council of Churches and affiliated denominations SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: Doctrinal Theology: SALVATION (SOTERIOLOGY) IN CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY Lecture course, 2-5 ECTS cr Teacher: Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen After the course the student will be able to a) identify main doctrinal topics in the "order of salvation" both in historical and contemporary theology; b) assess the limitations of traditional approaches to the topic; c) relate the doctrine of salvation to the challenges of contemporary pluralistic world, particularly Abrahamic faiths; and d) begin to construct one's own comprehensive and life-affirming theology of salvation for the contemporary world. 1) Lectures (20 h) + critical reflection or lecture diary (6-8 pages) = 2 ECTS (2 op), OR 2) Lectures (20 h) + to read a relevant text on a comparative theological theme (150-180 pages to be agreed with the instructor) and integrate those materials in either critical reflections or lecture diary 12-15 pp.) = 5 ECTS (5 op) MON 12.12. - FRI 16.12., 14-18 / Intensive week STUDY OF RELIGIONS: Wellbeing, law and gender in Muslim migrant families Lecture course, X ECTS cr One of the teachers: Mulki Al- Sharmi The aim is for students to acquire a multidimensional understanding of The course is offered jointly to the students of Sociology 16.1 6.3., MON 16-18 I transnational Muslim family lives both from (Department of Social Research, the perspective of Muslim migrants and their lived realities as well as from the lens of state laws and public discourses in Europe and North America Faculty of Social Sciences) and Study of Religions (Faculty of Theology). The course comprises of 6 lectures and a panel discussion (roundtable). To accomplish the course students need to attend the
lectures, do the required course readings for tutorials following the lectures and write a short mid-course paper and a final essay. The mid-course assignment is due on week 3 of the course and the final essay on week 7. Students are evaluated on the basis of lecture attendance, level of activity in tutorials and the quality of written assignments. Instructions and suggestions for essay topics will be posted on the Moodle site for the course. In addition, all readings materials and some power point presentations for lectures may be found in Moodle. Please note that the main coordinator/teacher for the course will be Linda Hart, Department of Social Research, Sociology. The course will be cotaught By several lecturiers (Linda Hart, Sanna Mustasaari, Marja Tiilikainen, Abdirashid Ismail, Mulki Al-Sharmani). Mulki Al-Sharmani will be responsible for one lecture, and will co-teach another lecture.
BIBLICAL STUDIES: Exegesis of Joshua Lecture course, 2 ECTS cr Teacher: Drew Longcare 1) to better understand the contents and controversies of the book of Joshua; 2) to gain better understanding of the Hebrew language and acquire independent reading skills; 3) to be able to formulate exegetical arguments clearly in oral and written form. Students will be graded based TUE 6.9-18.10, 10-13 on: advance preparation for classes, class participation, and a final exam (2 credits altogether), as well as an exegetical paper (3 credits). I period CHURCH HISTORY: Religion and the U.S. Presidency Intermediate study unit including lecture course, 5 ECTS cr During the course, the student should come to appreciate both the centrality of Christianity for U.S. politics and the contested nature of the relationship between churches and the state. Final exam or essay TUE and WED 1.11.-7.12, 14-16 Teacher: Markku Ruotsila CHURCH HISTORY: Holy War in the Name of God: The Crusades in Medieval and Early Modern Thought Students will learn to - analyze pre-modern sources - interpret changes in historiographical writing - evaluating images of an important historical event in different contexts Attendance in classes (80 %), reading and discussing selected sources and relevant research literature, essay/term paper or lecture diary THU 2.2.2017-4.5.2017, 10-12 III and IV period Intermediate study unit including lecture course, 5 ECTS cr Teacher: Stefan Schröder BIBLICAL STUDIES: Visions and Apocalypses: a Text and Seminar Course Lecture course, 2 ECTS cr Students will learn to - To practice reading Hebrew source texts - To learn about the genres and sociological settings of visionary and apocalyptic literature in Second Temple Judaism - To be able to exegete a vision report Textual reading, lectures, and essay TUE 2.11-14.12, 14-17
Teacher: Jason Silverman within a greater sociological and historical framework CHURCH HISTORY: Women and the Reformation Online course, 5 ECTS cr Teacher: Kirsi Stjerna Students will learn 1) to apply different interdisciplinary methodologies in re-interpreting the Christian tradition, 2) to narrate Reformation history with women as subjects, 3) to identify and evaluate women, their roles, and their contributions in the different Reformation contexts, 4) to examine women s theological voices and their reactions to the developments in theology and spirituality, 5) to critically assess the Reformations impact with attention to gender and power factors 1) Independent reading of the textbook and participation in online discussion each week. 2) Take turns in presenting and leading discussion on a woman/or a topic of choice, using the textbook plus additional sources as appropriate. 3) Bibliographical research: identify a source related to the topic women and the reformation and prepare a brief written presentation to share with the class (together these presentations build an annotated class bibliography). 4) Final paper: A concluding essay (5-6 pages) integrating one s learnings from the course, or an independent research project on a (related) topic of choice, or an alternate final paper. Books used: Kirsi Stjerna, Women and the Reformation (Wiley Blackwell, 2008), ISBN ISBN-13: 978-1405114233 ISBN- 10: 1405114231, $33.83 (Amazon) MON 31.10-18.12, 2016
STUDY OF RELIGIONS To be published later. 16.3-4.5.2017, THU 14-18, IV period Introduction to the Study of Religions, 5 ECTS cr Coordinator: Terhi Utriainen STUDY OF RELIGIONS Women and Public Religious Spheres in Early and Medieval Islamic Eras, 5 ECTS cr To be published later. 13.3-10.4.2017, MON 14-16, and MON 24.4 14-18 IV period Teacher: Mulki Al-Sharmani Offer from Religion, Conflict and Dialogue (RCD) Master s degree programme: Introduction to RCD studies, 2 ECTS cr Teachers: Ville Päivänsalo, Timo R. Stewart This module gives an overview to the history and the current state of conflict studies. The module has three aims: first, to place the role of religion among the factors leading to and maintaining conflicts, second, to get acquainted with methodological approaches in conflict studies, and third, to identify a specific conflict that each student will analyse in his/her Master s thesis during the second year of the RCD programme and to start gathering material for the study. I period
Historical perspectives to RCD, 2 ECTS cr Coordinating teacher: Ritva Palmén his module will offer research based approaches historical perspectives to the inter- and intra-religious relations, conflicts and dialogue between religious groups. The Aim of the course is to give an overview of religious conflict and dialogues have been conceptualised by philosophers, theologians and other writers throughout the human history. - Discussions in small groups /pairs and then discussions together (oral) - Source based approach - Moodle elearning environment I period By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate: 1. Knowledge and Understanding - Students understand how different historical thinkers have conceptualised conflict, dialogue, toleration etc. - Students are able to contextualise different arguments into their historical development - Students are able to make a difference between the particular abstract religion and the groups and individuals who practice the religion 2. Subject Specific Skills - Students are able to study different ideas and arguments and take into account their inter-connections to their historical contextual backgrounds 3. Transferable Skills - Students are able to critically assess the theories of historical thinkers - Students are able to contextualise different arguments into their historical development
World religions, 2 ECTS cr Teacher: Teemu Taira - Students learn how to see contemporary discussion from historical perspective The aim of this course is to give an overview of word religions and then focus on particular religious tradition depending on the student s interests in respect of their Master s thesis. The course will cover world religions in different geographic areas: - Middle-Eastern religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam; - Indian-based religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism; - Chinese and Japanese religions: Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Buddhism; - Indigenous religions. The above-mentioned religions will be covered depending on the availability of subject specialists. Contemporary Approaches to RCD, 5 ECTS cr Coordinating Teacher: Hanne Appelqvist 1) Knowledge and Understanding: - Clear understanding of basic concepts and theoretical frameworks relevant for the understanding and study of recognition and reconciliation. 2) Subject Specific Skills - Ability to identify differences in theoretical commitments that implicitly or explicitly influence discourse on reconciliation and recognition - Ability to analyse and critically engage with such discourses 3) Transferrable Skills - Ability to read, analyse and discuss
academic texts - Ability to communicate coherently both orally and in writing (in English) - Ability to reflect one s own learning process Faith & Globalization, 5 ECTS cr I Teacher: Ville Päivänsalo Media Analysis, 5 ECTS cr Teacher: Johan Bastubacka This module gives students - An overview of some of the essential research traditions and analytical tools available in the field of media studies. - Simultaneously, it provides conceptual tools for the students own media analysis of a chosen specific conflict situation, its media coverage and the different ways the conflict might be reflected on and dealt with in social media, newspapers, TV, and other media - An introduction to critical, academic thinking regarding different communication phenomena a skill essential in understanding conflicts and their dynamics in contemporary societies. - Provides students with preliminary skills to analyze the functioning, meaning, and significance of different signs, symbols, and media in distinctive conflict situations - Provides students with central concepts and research ideas will be scrutinized in relation to actual cases and media I
occasions according to students own interests. - Moreover, the course focuses on the different roles used by, projected to, and even forced upon media in conflict situations and the discourses of presenting conflict, violence, and reconciliation. Society and Community Cohesion, 2 ECTS cr This module will provide an insight into the theories, application as well as process and creation of social cohesion with help of Teachers: Maija Penttilä, Jenni examples. After the course student knows basic theoretical discussion on social Spännäri cohesion and social capital and has the ability to apply this knowledge into their own case studies in the RCD. IV period