Confessions, Churches, Diasporas: Religions and Religiosity in Modern Russia

2023/2024

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Mago-Lego

Delivered by: School of Politics and Governance

When: 1, 2 module

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Карпич Юлия Владимировна

Language: English

ECTS credits: 6

Contact hours: 50

Full Syllabus

Abstract

“Confessions, Churches, Diasporas: Religions and Religiosity in Modern Russia” is a survey course with a conceptual and problem-focused approach. It is based on current Russian and international Religious Studies research. This course allows students to look at the religious map of modern Russia from an interdisciplinary perspective, taking into account insights from geography, history, sociology and philosophy of religion, as well as from contemporary anthropological studies. The course examines religiosity in Russia from a historical angle and explores its manifestations in current Russian socio-political life. It foregrounds questions regarding experience in the religious sphere, and of religious identity and its significance in the contemporary lives of people in Russia.

Learning Objectives

to provide a general introduction to the field and main concepts for understanding the presence of religions (confessions, churches, diasporas) and religiosity in Modern Russia: historical context and current developments; personal, societal, and institutional dimensions;, influence on social-political life
to make students aware of interdisciplinary approaches to studying issues concerning religion and religiosity
to provide skills of updating literary and intellectual background for solving current research tasks concerning confessions, churches and diasporas in Modern Russia

Expected Learning Outcomes

to formulate the main concepts concerning religions and the position of religions in modern societies
to describe the presence and intricacies of religions and religiosity in Modern Russia
to highlight characteristics of "traditional" religions in Modern Russia
to identify the features of political influence on national and religious problems in Russia
to identify the influence of religion on personhood, society and politics in Russia

Course Contents

Religion: concepts and modern interpretations
The role of religion in the socio-political context of the Russian Federation: de jure and de facto
“Traditional” religions in Russia
New religious movements in Russia
Religious freedom and interreligious dialogue in modern Russia
The influence of religious factors on Russia’s socio-political life

Assessment Elements

Active participation in discussions
Presentation
Practical assignment

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 2nd module
0.3 * Active participation in discussions + 0.3 * Practical assignment + 0.4 * Presentation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Carlson, L. F. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of the Study of Religion. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 85(4), 1155–1157. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/lfx053
Mikhail Smirnov. (2015). The Sociology of Religion in Russia: two observations. Вестник Православного Свято-Тихоновского Гуманитарного Университета: Серия I. Богословие, Философия, (3), 71. https://doi.org/10.15382/sturI201453.71-80

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Luhmann, N., & Kieserling, A. (2013). A Systems Theory of Religion. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1519312

Course Syllabus