The History of Religions, based on the comparative method, is open by vocation to the universality of religious facts. Alien as it is, by particularisms axiological evaluations, this discipline represent in the age of globalization an essential instrument of education to pluralism and the recognition of otherness. Starting from this methodological structure, the course aims to analyze some key concepts concerning the study of religions and some concrete cases.
The aim of the course is the acquisition of adequate methodological, historical and theoretical understanding, and of a heuristic and judgment autonomy. A closely related aim is to promote a correct and mature evaluation of the religious issues of our globalized and interreligious time, as well as orient in the peculiar problems concerning personal and collective life.
To develop the ability to engage in constructive dialogue regarding questions of religious faith and values as they are encountered in local and global cultures.
Lectures
Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course:
Part I: Introduction to the History of Religions
The first part introduce the method and object proper to the History of religions, as well as the most peculiar themes of historical-religious research. Finally, it aims to offer a critical and problematic view of the religious phonomenon in itself and in its historical dimension.
Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course:
Part II: Monotheisms in question. At the root of religious violence
The second module aims to investigate, starting from the jan Assmann’s research about monotheisms, the origins of religious violence and the ways of overcoming it in the context of pluralism.
Bibliography for students who are taking the 6-CFU course:
- G. Filoramo, M. Massenzio, M. Raveri, P. Scarpi, Manuale di storia delle religioni, Laterza 1998, within the book, the student can choose between two alternative itineraries:
1) pp. 5-137; 161-287;
2) pp. 173-269; 291-436.
- J. Assmann, Il disagio dei monoteismi. Sentieri teorici e autobiografici, a cura di E. Colagrossi, Morcelliana, Brescia 2016.
Bibliography for students who are taking the 9-CFU course:
- E. Colagrossi, Monoteismi in questione. Il pensiero di Jan Assmann tra indagine genealogica e religio duplex, Morcelliana, Brescia 2020.
Ricevimento: The reception of students will take place by appointment
ELISABETTA COLAGROSSI (President)
FRANCESCO CAMERA
ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI (Substitute)
GERARDO CUNICO (Substitute)
February 22, 2021
HISTORY OF RELIGIONS
Oral exam
The exam consists of an interview aimed at assessing the candidates’ knowledge of the contents and the bibliography list of the course. Attending students (also in a group) can write and present a short paper in class that will be taken into account for the overall mark.
Attendance is recommended.
