Terrorism, Violence and Religion, basic course, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

General entry requirements for undergraduate studies
and
English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English 6)
Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to:
- clarify Muslim and Christian understandings of the use of violence
- describe similarities and differences within and between these two traditions when it comes to the understanding of the use of violence
- identify, analyze, and problematize the relation between religion and the use of violence through some concrete examples.

Course content

The course is an introduction to the relationship between religion and violence. A description and analysis of use of violence in the name of religion, arguments for and against the use of violence, and of the contemporary debate on religion and violence is emphasized, with special focus on Muslim and Christian traditions.

Teaching and working methods

Students' workload consists mainly of individual literature studies.
The teaching is seminar based. Students are expected to be well prepared before each seminar and also to participate in the seminar discussions in a constructive way. Students are expected to write minor papers as preparations to the seminars and a major final paper. Students will present their final papers at the final seminar. In normal cases students are also required to serve as opponents to a fellow student’s paper.

Examination

Papers, seminar papers and the final paper, written by the students will be the basis for the examination, together with their participating in the seminar discussions in a constructive way.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department