TFF4005 – Theory and Method in the Study of Theology and Religion

Course content

The course introduces you into research methods in the study of religion and theology, with the explicit goal to assist you in the development of your thesis project. You will learn how to develop a good research question, generate a coherent research design, collect data and analyze data/materials. The course will be concerned with approaches to gather new data as well as with the analysis of already existing data and materials (e.g. biblical texts). We will discuss ethical challenges of research as well as concerns pertaining moral presuppositions, situatedness and positioning in designing research projects.

The course will provide a keen attention to the production of a first draft of a research proposal for your master thesis. Therefore, the teaching will involve interactive sessions to discuss your ideas for a research question, research design, as well as potential methodological challenges of your project. This course will be a first and crucial step towards your master thesis.

Learning outcome

• Ability to develop a research question and to critically reflect on its quality.
• Knowledge of different research methods in the study of religion and theology
• Ability to make informed choices about planning and designing a research project for a thesis.
• Ability to critically assess the use of methods in relation to the research question and available data/ material.
• Understand the use of methods to produce new knowledge about religion and theology.
• Ability to formulate and solve complex problems.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with RESA4102 – Theory and Method in the Study of Religion, Society and Diversity (discontinued).

Teaching

The language of this course is English.

Mandatory activities:

The course design and the learning contents require the participation of students in the course. Therefore, attendance at the course sessions is compulsory. If you are unable to attend a lesson, you can arrange an absence with the teacher. An absence of 20% can be agreed. If you need more absences and have a valid reason (e.g. illness) further absences can be agreed upon.

Moreover, the course involves the following mandatory tasks:

1. Describe the orientation criteria for the development of a good research question. Draft two or three potential research questions for your master thesis. Discuss how each of these meet the orientation criteria for the development of a good research question (500 words).

2. Describe what a research design is and sketch a potential research design (i.e. selection and application of methods) for your master thesis. Suggest how the planned methods will allow you to answer your research question, refer to the course teaching and the literature from the reading list to do so (600 words).

3. Describe ethical issues with regard to the methods that you plan to employ in your research. Moreover, critically reflect on your own positionality with regard to your research topic. Address both points in the light of the course teaching and literature from the reading list (300 words).

4. Write a first short draft of the research proposal for your thesis, including a short introduction to the topic, research question, selection of methods, and reflection on positionality and ethical issues (1000-1500 words). Prepare the draft in light of insights from course teaching and literature from the reading list.

5. Presentation of ideas for the research proposal in the group supervision meeting and providing peer feedback to fellow students’ ideas for the research proposal.

6. E-learning course on data protection. The course takes 2-3 hours to complete and is conducted in Canvas. You can find more information on this website.

Examination

Portfolio

The exam consists of a portfolio that includes the following parts:

1. Coherent research proposal, including (a) introduction into the research topic and preliminary review of existing research in the field, (b) research question, (c) selection and planned application of research methods, (d) references with literature quoted from the reading list of the course and literature related to the topic of the planned master thesis (2000-2500 words) (Counts 70%).
2. Critical reflection on potential challenges regarding a) the research proposal (e.g. quality of research question, implementation of planned methods), and (b) positionality and research ethics (1000-1500 words) (Counts 30%).

Total: 3000-4000 words

Previous exams and grading guidelines

Language of examination

You may submit your response in Norwegian or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.