In our complex and pluralistic society, cultures, identities, imaginaries and religious practices have a meaningful space. However, on the part of public opinion, there is often a lack of analyti-cal skills and critic examinations. The class aims to provide some of these tools, in the knowledge that communication experts in the fields of culture, media, marketing, information, may be faced with issues concerning identity and possible conflicts of a religious nature. Are analysed the influence, persistence, conflict and renewal of religious imaginaries, also taking into account documentaries and other content. In particular, interactions at all levels with the media will be highlighted.
Course Prerequisites
• Secondary school general knowledge. • Interest in the intercultural and interreligious debates and in the way they are portrayed by the media.
Teaching Methods
Lessons in presence and on-line, in which the lecturer will explain the contents of the course asking for the interactive participation of the students through interventions, questions and reflections, in a tight dialectical confrontation between professor and student.
Assessment Methods
Learning will be verified by an oral test. The oral exam consists of a presentation of the topics covered within the course and aims to ascertain the candidate's preparation on the texts in question and its ability to give it a critical interpretation. Will be evaluated: • Acquisition of the methodological cornerstones and lexical correctness of the exhibition (10 points); • the acquisition of an effective learning methodology (10 points); • the critical ability and autonomy of the student (10 points).
Contents
The course will be structured along four lines. 1. Methodological basis in religious studies. From the (unresolved) definition of "what is a religion"; to the main theories and the best known models of interpretation developed in the West, for a pluralistic, cultural and secular understanding of religions. The question of the secularisation, the presence and persistence of religious imaginaries in the current context of our societies. Conflicts and com-plexity of religious cultural identities. Definitions of "social imaginaries"t and &"religious imaginaries". 2. The evolutionary psychology approach: study of R. Dunbar's book, “How Religion Evolved And Why It Endures”. 3. The cult of images, the religious origins of our approach to images. Reading of Jacques Rancière's book, “The Emancipated Spectator”. 4. Digital transformations of religion. Reference book: “Dei digitali. Religioni digitali, media e immaginari sociali”, edited by M. Olzi.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Office hours: Upon appointment via email r.revello@uninsubria.it .
