Religion as a source of conflict

Educational subject description sheet

Basic information

Field of study: Religion Studies – Interdisciplinary Studies in Religions and Cultures of the World
Speciality: -
Organizational unit: Faculty of Philosophy
Study level: second cycle
Study form: full-time degree programme
Education profile: General academic
Mandatory: elective

Education cycle: 2024/25
Subject code: UJ.WFzRELS.250.13799.24
Lecture languages: english
Subject related to scientific research: Yes
Disciplines: Learning about the culture and religion
ISCED classification: 0221 Religion and theology
USOS code: WFz.IR-2F/07, WFz.IR-2F/07

Subject coordinator

Aneta Czernatowicz-Kukuczka

Lecturer

Aneta Czernatowicz-Kukuczka

Periods

Semester 1, Semester 3

Examination

graded credit

Activities and hours

Discussion class: 30

Number of ECTS points

4.0

Goals

The role of religion as a promoter of conflict and violence has been discussed intensively since the events of 9/11. The debate is still ongoing and far from final conclusions. The course will introduce students to the discussion on religion and conflict from the psychological perspective. Namely it will focus on empirically informed approaches to understand the way in which religion increases (in)tolerance and hinders intergroup relations. After completing the course students will be provided with and extensive overview of current psychological theories and research on religiously motivated conflicts. The real-world applicability of the results will be also discussed.

Subject's learning outcomes

Code	Outcomes in terms of	Effects	Examination methods
Knowledge – Student knows and understands:
W1	to a great extent understands the relationship between religion and society, especially in the context of intergroup relations	REL_K2_W01	credit with grade, essay
W2	has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical position of social studies on religion	REL_K2_W07	credit with grade, essay
Skills – Student can:
U1	acquires knowledge on his/her own and extends critical thinking skills in the area of social consequences of religiosity	REL_K2_U01	essay
Social competences – Student is ready for:
K1	is prepared to communicate in a competent and cultural fashion	REL_K2_K01	credit with grade
K2	is able to use his/her knowledge of intergroup aspects of religion to diagnose and solve problems of contemporary world	REL_K2_K03	credit with grade, essay

Calculation of ECTS points

Activity form	Activity hours*
Discussion class	30
preparation for classes	45
essay preparation	30

Student workload	Hours 105	ECTS 4.0

* hour means 45 minutes

Study content

No.	Course content	Subject's learning outcomes
1.	Religion as social identity	W1, W2, U1, K1, K2
2.	Religion and (in)tolerance	W1, W2, U1, K1, K2
3.	Religiously motivated aggression	W1, W2, U1, K1, K2
4.	The role of religion in deradicalizaction	W1, W2, U1, K1, K2
5.	Agression towards religious minorities	W1, W2, U1, K1, K2

Course advanced

Teaching methods :

Situational method, conversation lecture, discussion, consultation

Activities	Examination methods	Credit conditions
Discussion class	credit with grade, essay	Classroom participation (20%), comments on the readings (30%), final paper (50%).

Literature

Obligatory

Clarke, S., Powell, R., Savulescu, J. (red.) (2013). Religion, Intolerance and Conflict. A Scientific and conceptual investigation. Oxford University Press.
Vail, K.E., Routledge, C. (red.) (2020). The Science of Religion, Spirituality and Existentialism. Academic Press.
Kruglanski, A. W., Gelfand, M. J., Bélanger, J. J., Sheveland, A., Hetiarachchi, M., & Gunaratna, R. (2014). The psychology of radicalization and deradicalization: How significance quest impacts violent extremism. Political Psychology, 35, 69-93.

Optional

Saroglou, V. (Ed.). (2013). Religion, personality, and social behavior. Psychology Press.