Seminar : Methodology of the analysis of religious facts

Teacher(s)

Bricoult Geneviève; Christians Louis-Léon; Fontanari Thibault; Leclercq Jean;

Language

French

Main themes

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

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	- 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
2	- identify the specific character of these approaches and their complementarity
3	- use at least one of these approaches, particularly in the preparation of the thesis required for the Master degree (see also "Other information")
4	- analyse a religious fact from interdisciplinary approaches
5	- grasp the contributions of the various disciplines and paradigms to the concrete analysis of a religious fact
6	- show the complexity of religious phenomena.

Content

As this is an inter/pluri-disciplinary seminar, the theme changes from year to year, depending on the teachers and their current research.
In 2023-24 : Religion(s) & Dialogue(s)
The aim of the seminar is threefold: 

• to explore the proposed theme in greater depth
• using two different disciplinary approaches,
• by mastering the research methods specific to these two disciplines.

Please refer to the LSREL2911 Moodle page for further details.

Teaching methods

After an introduction to the year's theme and research method by each teacher, students present weekly progress reports on their individually chosen sub-theme. Particular emphasis will be placed on research and referencing methods. A test will be organized on these aspects. At the end of the seminar, a round-table discussion gives everyone the opportunity to present and discuss their progress orally. The final text is due at the beginning of the session.

Evaluation methods

For 2023-24, the teachers are L.-L. Christians,  T. Fontanari and G. Bricoult.
Attendance at all sessions is required and assessed.  
Evaluation is based on :

1. active participation in sessions
2. methodology test
3. oral presentation
4. final written work (in terms of content and scientific quality of bibliographic referencing).

Details of the assessment procedure are available on the course website on the Moodle platform.
 

Online resources

See the course's moodle site LSREL2911.

Bibliography

Cfr Moodle LSREL2911

Teaching materials

• La thématique étant différent chaque année, cf. la page Moodle LSREL2911

Faculty or entity

CISR