Seminar : Methodology of the analysis of religious facts [ LSREL2911 ]

In order to achieve these methodological aims, the seminar work will focus among other on - (a) the case study under its multiple forms (e.g. participant observation, interview), - (b) the quantitative approach (e.g. questionnaires and tests), and - (c) the hermeneutics of texts and content analysis (e.g. historical-critical method, structural analysis). Exercises will provide the opportunity to understand in a practical way the logic proper to each method (passive understanding of all three types of methods and ability to use at least one of them).

For a thematical point of view,
- each seminar will address a fresh research issue - the various theories devised to study the contemporary transformations of religion (such as secularization or post-modernity) will be taken up

At the end, the student shall be able to - understand the different methodological approaches, qualitative as well as quantitative, required for the analysis of religious facts within the main disciplines of the sciences of religions - identify the specific character of these approaches and their complementarity - use at least one of these approaches, particularly in the preparation of the thesis required for the Master degree (see also "Other information") - analyse a religious fact from interdisciplinary approaches - grasp the contributions of the various disciplines and paradigms to the concrete analysis of a religious fact - show the complexity of religious phenomena.