Courses within the programme

Religious Studies (1-30) 30 cr

Religious Studies (1-30) provides a basic introduction to religious studies. The course consists of four modules, where religion is studied thematically in history and today, based on Swedish, European and global perspectives. Module 1 has its starting point in the multi-religious Sweden. In module 2, Judaism, Christianity and Islam are studied as traditions, with a common origin and partly a common nucleus. Module 3 covers myths and rites from prehistoric times until modern time. Lastly, module 4 covers mysticism and psychology of religion. The courses in Religious Studies (1-30) and Religious Studies (31-60) constitute a whole. The continuation course (31-60) covers subject areas that have not been discussed in the introductory course (1-30). To acquire a comprehensive introduction to religious studies, we recommend that students take both courses.

Religious studies (31-60) 30 cr

The courses in Religious Studies (1-30) and (31-60) constitute a whole. The continuation course (31-60) covers subject areas that have not been discussed in the introductory course Religious Studies (1-30). To acquire a comprehensive introduction to religious studies, we recommend that students take both courses. The continuation course (31-60) consists of four modules. The course covers questions concerning religion, nature and health, the interaction between people's mental and moral maturity, based on different ethical and psychological theories, South and East Asia's religions and the relation between religion and globalisation. There is also the possibility to write an academic paper in the course. Religious Studies (1-30) + Religious Studies (31-60) may constitute the main subject in a higher education qualification, 120 HE credits.

Year 2

Media and Communication Studies (1-30) 30 cr

Field Media and Communications Science

Diversity, meeting of cultures and integration, 15 credits (MKR) 15 cr

Through migration and globalisation, Sweden has become an increasingly pluralistic society, where different traditions, values and religions meet and influence one another. People with different cultural backgrounds become friends, neighbours and colleagues. Living together requires understanding and knowledge about oneself, the own cultural roots and the people you meet. The multicultural society needs people with the ability to see the possibilities embedded in this new situation, but who can also solve conflicts when different values collide. The course is intended for those who want to acquire a deeper understanding of the possibilities and problems of cultural encounters in Sweden, for personal or professional reasons.

Psychology of Religion I, (MKR) 15 cr

Fundamentalism and terrorism, 15 hp (MKR) 15 cr

What is the connection between fundamentalism, terrorism and ideas about martyrs in different religions? And how may fundamentalism and terrorism be understood in relation to western colonialism and orientalism? Are concepts such as fundamentalism and terrorism at all useful in research contexts?
The course covers different aspects of the modern research in these issues, and also includes a critical review of mass media's image of fundamentalism and terrorism. The starting point of the course is current research in several modern phenomena connected to extremism, terrorism and fundamentalism.

Psychology of Religion II, (MKR) 15 cr

Religion and media 15 cr

Ethics 15 cr

Being able to handle value issues is becoming an all the more important skill in today's society. When processing ethical problems, questions concerning humanity and the meaning of the life are also raised.
This course intends to highlight the relationships between ethics, humanity and questions of meaning. Strong emphasis is placed on personal reflection and different practical exercises. The course presents tools and working models for processing ethical problems. The course intends to provide the participants with knowledge that will make them more confident in making own ethical assessments.

Globalization and transformation of values 15 cr

Economic, ecological and social values are changing rapidly at all levels of global society. In this course we look at the interrelations between economy, ecology and values both at the global and the local level. There are threats and possibilities in the global economic transformation. The course emphasizes the active/constructive action-models as they emerge in the time of transformation.

There are threats to community if the global economic transformation is not socially embedded. Lack of embeddedness can create widespread rootlessness and a search for meaning - sometimes fundamentalism. The fundamentalism is defined in a broad sense: there is not only religious fundamentalism, but also an economic and a political fundamentalism. The uncritical acceptance of the market ideology might be considered as a form of fundamentalism. We also look at globalisation from below and the possibilities opened when people themselves are taking action in the global transformation process.

Leadership in times of change 15 cr

The course provides tools for ethical reflection, with focus on leadership. Questions such as "what is ethics?" and "what is philosophy of life?" are discussed. The participants acquire knowledge of different ethical theories, of current life philosophies and the different types of views on humans. Particular focus is placed on youths' existential matters. Ethical issues with focus on leadership on an individual, structural and cultural level are studied. The leadership theories we discuss are transformational leadership, educational leadership and clear leadership. The traditional hierarchic control system is also discussed.

Ethics, Sexuality and Gender 15 cr

In the multi-religious society of today, we encounter people from many parts of the world and people with different conceptions of religion and sexuality. Therefore, it is important to study the relationships between religion and sexuality. The course has an interdisciplinary approach, where sexuality is studied religious-historically, iconographically, sociologically and psychologically. It is intended for those who have studied or are studying a nursing or culturally oriented education, and for those who are interested in the relationships between religion and sexuality in general.

Contemporary religions and movements in popular culture 15 cr

Year 3

Internship 7.5 cr

Project and process management II 7.5 cr

The course provides basic knowledge and skills in applied project management and project work. Different models for project leadership are presented, like the waterfall modell and the agile project management. The course also provides basic knowledge of how a health promoting and socially responsible organization is created through a good working environment.

Project and process management I 7.5 cr

1. engelskaLegal overview course: Public and European law from an inter-cultural perspective 7.5 cr

Field Legal Science

Religious Studies with Focus on Culture and Identity (61-90) 30 cr

The course covers different religions and attitudes to life in modern society. How are our identities shaped and transformed in the contemporary culture? How does the religiosity and spirituality of people change? It is possible to adapt the choice of subject to the student. We study how religion is expressed in politics, media, IT and New Age. In addition to a method part, the course also includes a major thesis.
Religious Studies may constitute the main subject in a Bachelor of Arts, 180 HE credits, or an in-depth specialisation on the teacher programme, primarily for those who plan to teach in secondary and upper-secondary school.