The course unit gives an introduction to:

- the main types of music (recitation, other forms of vocal music, other forms of ritual music) within Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam;

- the most important differences in views of music within these five religions;

- convictions and debates about music within these five religions;

- methods and theoretical perspectives in the study of religion and music;

- how religious music is used in popular culture and advertising; and

- how religious music is used in the criticism of religions.

RELV234 is an optional unit within the Bachelor´s Programme in the History of Religions.

When the course requirements have been fulfilled, the student will have achieved the following:

Knowledge
General knowledge about the main types of music, different views of music, and convictions and debates about music within Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

General knowledge about methods and theoretical perspectives in the study of religious music.

Knowledge about how religious music is used in popular culture, advertising, and in the criticism of religions.

Capability of analysing religious music with the help of some central methods and theoretical perspectives from the History of Religions and Musicology.

Capability of putting the knowledge about religious music in relation to wider contexts within the History of Religions.

Skills
Capability of analysing subject-matters in English and of drawing conclusions on one´s own.
Capability of critically examining theories and methods used in the study of religious music.

Capability of writing a coherent analytical text about religious music, thereby demonstrating a capacity for using the norms and techniques of academic writing.

Capability of conveying information about the subject field to others, both in writing and orally.

General competence
Practice in handling large quantities of information and literature within a short time period, and of interpreting and presenting information.

Open access to RELV234 for all students who are matriculated at the University of Bergen.

The exam unit is open to students without study rights after an application to The Faculty of Humanities.