Material and Method

The course serves as preparation for the master's thesis. A central question is: What is necessary to accomplish a research project? The course will make students aware of different types of material used in research, how to analyze each type appropriately, and also provide a overview of relevant methods of research and the consequences the choice of method has for the outcome of a project.

According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome (defined as knowledge, skills and general competence):

Knowledge

The candidate has attained

• knowledge of various methods applied in religious studies research
• knowledge of the different types of material used in religious studies research
• knowledge specifically of text materials and hermeneutics
• knowledge of the ethical implications involved in the use of methods in religious studies

Skills

The candidate has acquired skills to

• analyse various types of material concerning religion: texts, sound recordings, photos and video recordings
• collect independently various forms of material concerning religion
• produce academic accounts analysing research materials
• assess the use of methods and materials in projects presented in religious studies
• carry out an ethical assessment of methods and materials in current religious studies research

General competence

The candidate has

• competence in designing research projects and questions related to the use of methods
• experience in planning and executing a written essay with a defined length and through successive stages

The instruction consists of lectures and seminars with an emphasis on the latter.

In order to take the exam a project description of the master's thesis must be submitted and approved by the tutor.