Course: Religious Studies Research Methods

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Course title Religious Studies Research Methods
Course code KRE/MRVY
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Lisý Štěpán, Mgr. M.A. Th.D.
Course content
The motivation for learning and research; the objectives of academic work; hermeneutical problems connected with our points of departure and methods. The choice of a theme, the importance of questions and adequate chosen methods. Research (search strategy, where to seek, the phases of the working process). Field research means to meet people (research in contemporary forms of religious life). Personal system of informations - the basis for successful work. Creative thinking, research, and writing. Active reading and fast reading, how to gain the most from the sources. How to write a scholarly text. Comparative methods and interpretation of religion and cultures. Qualitative versus quantitative methods; problems with theories and general conclusions. How to speak well - at the exams, in shorter and longer speeches. How to become a good contributor in a scholarly discussion.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Methods of individual activities, Work-related activities
Learning outcomes
The goal of this course is to focus on basic skills that are necessary for academic work. These skills and knowledge are indispensable basis for student's research and writting of their papers and final thesis.
Students will learn about important Czech and foreign libraries; they will also encounter encyclopedias in a foreign language and important scholarly journals, as well as web-pages relevant for Religous Studies. Students will enhance their understanding of the procedures of reading, interpretations and writing a scholarly text. Some examples of field research will also be mentioned (statistical methods, compiling questionnaires, and so on).
Prerequisites
unspecified
KRE/RELI

Assessment methods and criteria
Creative work analysis, Discussion

Regural attandance. Students will submit search-list on chosen topic - at least 15 entries, including scholarly articles (in the middle of April); before the last lesson a thesis structure (at least one page; A4 format). During the "zapoctovy" week, students will deliver a five-minute oral presentation.
Recommended literature
  • BUZAN, T. Síla kreativní inteligence, 1. české vydání, 131 s.. Praha: Columbus, 2002.
  • ECO, U. Jak napsat diplomovou práci, 1. české vydání, 271 s.. Olomouc: Votobia, 1997.
  • GADAMER, H. G. Problém dějinného vědomí, 1. české vydání, 56 s. (řada Parva philosophica, sv. 6). Praha: Filosofia, 1994.
  • GRAHAM, W. A. Beyond the Written Word. Oral aspects of srcipture in the history of religion, 2nd ed. (1st ed. 1987), xiv, 306 p.. Cambridge - New York, Cambridge University Press, 1993.
  • McCUTCHEON, R. T. The Insider/Outsider Problem in the Study of Religion. A Reader, 1st ed., London - New York, Cassell, 1999, viii, 405 p. (First Vol. of the Controversies in the Study of Religion Series). London, New Your, 1999.
  • SAÍD, E. Orientalism, Western Conceptions of the Orient, 4th ed. (1st ed. 1978), xi, 396 p.. London - New York, Penguin Books, 1995.
  • TOMAN, J. Organizace a technika duševní práce, 1. vyd., 252 s.. Praha: Svoboda, 1970.
  • WEBER, M. ,,Objektivita sociálnovedného a socálno-politického poznania" (1904), in: M. Weber, K metodológii sociálnych vied (ed. František Novosad), 409 s.; s. 41-112. Bratislava: Pravda, 1983.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Study plan (Version): Religious Studies (2015) Category: Philosophy, theology 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Study plan (Version): Religious Studies (2013) Category: Philosophy, theology 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Summer