Academic training requires a deepening of religious knowledge, in order to avoid any gap between scientific training and reflection on the fundamental issues of existence. In this respect, a reflection on the origin of the religious phenomenon will be carried out as well as an overview of the major types of religion from the particular angle of the relationship that these different religions have with suffering and death.
The course will first consider different theories on the origin of the religious phenomenon (sociology, Marxism, psychoanalysis, anthropology) before embarking on a historical journey to the encounter of different types of religions (shamanism, agropastoral religions, polytheism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam) presented in their historical context. Finally, the relationship of the last three religions with their own religious law (thora, sharia...) will be investigated in a critical way.
Written exam, open questions
Useful references can be found on webcampus