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Lecturer(s)
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Franc Jaroslav, doc. Mgr. Th.D.
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Course content
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1. Religion of the Modern Person: A Theological Introduction 2. Typologies of New Religious Movements 3. Characteristics of New Religious Movements 4. New Religious Movements Originating from Christianity 5. New Religious Movements Rooted in the Indian Religious Tradition 6. New Religious Movements Originating from Islam 7. Religious Movements without Clear Dependence on Other Religious Systems 8. New Religious Movements and Collective Violence 9. Implicit Religion: Political, Economic, and Cultural Systems 10. New Religious Movements in the Context of the Christian Roots of Europe 11. Theology of New Religious Movements 12. New Religious Movements as a Sign of the Times
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Observation
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Learning outcomes
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New Religious Movements Course Objectives The course introduces students to the context of religious spiritualities, spiritual experience in a globalized world, new forms of religious communication in postmodernity, and the interaction of religious experiences. It explores the European encounter with non-Christian spiritual centres, the establishment of missionary centres of world religions in Europe, and the revival of polytheism in Europe and North America during the second half of the twentieth century. The course provides a systematic understanding of selected religious spiritualities, examines specific forms of initiation into spiritual experience, and compares the educational approaches and pedagogical traditions of different religions. Special attention is devoted to interreligious dialogue as an integral dimension of religious spiritualities, the dialogue between Christian and non-Christian spiritual traditions, and the interpretation of new religious movements as a sign of the times. The aims of the course are to: - enable students to interpret new religious movements (NRMs) as a sign of the times; - introduce students to selected religions active in the Czech Republic; - present the principal interpretative frameworks for understanding the motivations behind conversion to new religious movements; - familiarize students with the basic typologies of new religious movements.
Critical Thinking The course enables students to move beyond stereotypical evaluations of new religious movements and to analyse their origins, structures, social functions, and theological interpretations. Upon successful completion of the course, the student: - critically analyses the phenomenon of new religious movements from both religious studies and theological perspectives; - distinguishes between description, interpretation, and evaluative judgment; - develops arguments based on scholarly sources while taking into account different interpretative approaches. Intercultural Competence The course is based on the study of diverse religious traditions, their spiritualities, and dialogue across cultures. Upon successful completion of the course, the student: - describes and compares the principal characteristics of different religious traditions; - interprets religious phenomena with respect for their cultural contexts; - reflects critically on their own preconceptions when engaging with religious traditions different from their own. Inquiry and Analysis The course requires engagement with scholarly literature, participant observation, presentations, and the critical use of academic sources. Upon successful completion of the course, the student: - collects and analyses information on new religious movements using both scholarly literature and empirical sources; - interprets findings derived from academic reading and participant observation; - formulates conclusions supported by scholarly evidence.
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Prerequisites
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Students are expected to successfully complete their studies in Religious Studies as part of the degree program's curriculum.
KMS/DTREL
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Student performance, Final Report
Active participation in classes, participation in participant observation activities, presentation of findings from assigned readings and field observations, and the ability to read and critically engage with scholarly literature. 1. Students are required to follow all instructions published in the Learning Management System (LMS). 2. Technical Requirements for Webinars Participation in webinars requires continuous online attendance throughout the entire session, supported by a stable and reliable internet connection. Students must have a functioning microphone and keep their camera switched on for the duration of the webinar. Simultaneous engagement in other activities requiring sustained attention (e.g., driving a motor vehicle) is not permitted. In the case of an excused absence for serious reasons, the instructor may assign an appropriate alternative task. 3. Technical Requirements for Online Examinations To ensure the integrity of online examinations, students must have a stable internet connection and provide an appropriate camera view. When using a single camera, both the student's face and hands must remain visible throughout the examination. When using two cameras, one camera must show the computer screen and the other the student's workspace. The use of headphones or earphones during the examination is not permitted.
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Recommended literature
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Franc, Jaroslav. Teologie nových náboženských hnutí v díle Johna A. Saliby. Olomouc. 2014, ISSN 1212-8570.
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John Saliba. Perspectives on new religious movements.. London.
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Partridge, C. H., Vojtíšek, Z., & Vojtíšek, Z. (2006). Encyklopedie nových náboženství: nová náboženská hnutí, sekty a alternativní spiritualita. Praha.
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VÁCLAVÍK, D. Sociologie nových náboženských hnutí. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2007..
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VOJŤÍŠEK, Z. Nová náboženská hnutí a kolektivní násilí.
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VOJTÍŠEK, Z. (2007). Nová náboženská hnutí a jak jim porozumět. Praha.
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VOJTÍŠEK, Zdeněk. (2004). Encyklopedie náboženských směrů a hnutí v České republice: náboženství, církve, sekty, duchovní společenství.. Praha.
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Wilfred, Cantwell Smith. The Meaning and End of Religion. Minneapolis.
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