FTR-OTR761
Majorities and Minorities: Church and State in Eastern Christianity
Cursus informatieRooster
CursusFTR-OTR761
Studiepunten (ECTS)5
CategorieBA (Bachelor)
VoertaalEngels
Aangeboden doorRadboud Universiteit; Faculteit der Filosofie, Theologie en Religiewetenschappen; Opleiding Religiestudies;
Docenten
Docent
prof. dr. A. Brüning
Overige cursussen docent
Contactpersoon van de cursus
prof. dr. H.L. Murre-van den Berg
Overige cursussen docent
Docent
prof. dr. H.L. Murre-van den Berg
Overige cursussen docent
Collegejaar2016
Periode
PER3-PER4  (30-01-2017 t/m 28-05-2017)
Aanvangsblok
PER3
Onderwijsvorm
voltijd
Opmerking-
Inschrijven via OSIRISJa
Inschrijven voor bijvakkersJa
VoorinschrijvingNee
WachtlijstNee
Plaatsingsprocedure-
Cursusdoelen

After having finished the course, you will:

  • understand how in ideology and practice, matters of church and community are worked out in ways different from most Western European countries, and how these translate both in majority and minority contexts;
  • have insight in the type of sources as well as the historiography and interdisciplinary methods that are being used in the field of the study of Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy;
  • have improved your skills in discussing, analysing and writing on the basis of secondary literature in the field.
Inhoud

This seminar delves into one of the most important differences between Eastern and Western churches. This concerns the way in which for most if not all ‘Eastern’ and ‘Oriental’ Orthodox churches, church and national or ethnic community are closely linked. This linkage has strong roots in early translations of the liturgy in the local languages, resulting in churches that though connected in many ways to an ecumenical orthodox tradition, also cherish their distinct local characteristics. Whereas actual support of state or ethnic nationalisms forms a bone of contention in all orthodox churches, both majority churches (in Russia, Greece, Serbia), and minority churches (in the Middle East) have a strong tendency to stress national and ethnic belonging. This raises important questions about state and church, questions that are even more important because church-state relations often directly influence ways of belonging in the state as such. Often, ‘being orthodox’ is less a matter of individual faith, than of taking part in a familial, local and national community that encompasses and transcends religiosity as such. In this class, these different societal and political aspects of ‘being orthodox’ will be discussed taking into account the different countries in which orthodoxy plays an important role. 

Bijzonderheden
This course is part of a 15 EC minor on Eastern Christianity, open to all students after having finished their first year. It is especially designed for students of the humanities (Faculties of Arts and of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies). The other courses in the minor are: ‘A History of Eastern Christianity’ (introductory, first semester), and ‘Coptic Christianity’. Other relevant courses are modules of Coptic and Syriac, and the master course ‘Rites and Rituals of Eastern Christianity’ (FTR).

Toetsinformatie
Grading: class participation (10%), oral presentation/discussion of literature (30%), final paper (60%).

Voorkennis
This course assumes a basic knowledge of the history of (Eastern) Christianity, as can be acquired by the introductory course ‘A History of Eastern Christianity’ or similar courses. Please contact prof. Murre-van den Berg to see whether you can join when this course was not part of your program.

Aanbevolen materiaal
Artikelen
Various articles and book chapters, to be announced via Blackboard about four weeks before the class starts.

Werkvormen
Werkcollege
AanwezigheidsplichtJa

Toetsen
Paper
Weging1
ToetsvormWerkstuk
GelegenhedenBlok TENT4, Blok TENT5