THEO3941: Religion, Violence and Peacebuilding

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• To investigate the relations between religion, violence and peacebuilding.
• To analyse critically theories, theologies and practices relating to Religious Violence and Religious Peacebuilding.
• To consider the role of religion in conflicts such as in: Israel-Palestine, Russia-Ukraine, Northern Ireland, Southern Africa, Rwanda, Germany, the UK and the USA.
• To explore critically the role of the arts and religion for inciting violence and building peace.

• In this module students critically investigate the relations between religion, violence and building peace, through analysis of a range of texts (e.g. visual arts, films, plays, music/songs, novels, poetry and other media) and international case studies (e.g. Israel-Palestine, Russia-Ukraine, Northern Ireland, Rwanda, Southern Africa, Germany, Iran, the UK and the USA). Participants analyse different kinds of religious, historical and theological reflection and practice, which seeks to engage with the realities of violence and the practicalities of building peace.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• After successful completion of this course, a student should be able to:
• 1) Demonstrate understanding of the complex relations between religion, violence and peacebuilding.
• 2) Describe, analyse, and critically evaluate selected theories, theologies and religious approaches to violence and peacebuilding.
• 3) Engage critically with selected primary sources relating to religious violence, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, reconciliation, religion and aspects of theology.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of religion and the arts in conflicts such as in: Israel-Palestine, Russia-Ukraine, Northern Ireland, Southern Africa, in Germany, the UK, and the USA.

Key Skills:

• Skills in the acquisition of information through reading and viewing, discussion and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.

• Lectures convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop knowledge and a clear understanding of the subject, and to improve their skills in evaluating information.
• Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches, and enhancing skills in the analysis of texts, concepts and arguments.
• Summative essays assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.

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