RLMgB610 Network Approaches in the Study of Premodern Religious Traditions

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Dalibor Papoušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Tomáš Glomb, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Tomáš Hampejs, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Aleš Chalupa, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. RNDr. Zdeněk Pospíšil, Dr. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. David Zbíral, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. David Zbíral, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kristýna Čižmářová
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each even Thursday 18:00–19:40 B2.113
Prerequisites (in Czech)
TYP_STUDIA(MND)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 5/30, only registered: 1/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course focuses on introducing the possibilities of network theory and network analysis in the study of religious traditions in the pre-modern period, especially in the ancient and medieval periods. Using a selection of traditions and topics (i.e., early Christianity, Roman cults, medieval Christian heresy, Mayan rituals), the course outlines how religious research problems in which interrelationships (e.g., social, geographical, or textual) are the focus of interest can be addressed through network approaches. In addition to discussing the benefits of network theory in the context of conceptualizing research problems, the course focuses primarily on introducing specific methods from the network analysis portfolio and their application to selected historical cases.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, prospective learners will be able to:
  • demonstrate a basic understanding of network approaches in religious studies;
  • critically evaluate their strengths and weaknesses;
  • distinguish qualitative historical approaches from quantitative methods based on formalized coding of historical sources and the use of databases;
  • analyze historical research problems using network methods;
  • understand the types of historical data that can be used for quantitative analysis.
    • Syllabus
    • Introductory information to the course
    • Fundamentals of network modelling (network thinking and analysis)
    • The spread of early Christianity through the network of synagogues in the ancient Mediterranean
    • The role of the Roman army in the spread of cults through the transport network
    • Social networks in the context of medieval Christian heresy
    • The network of rituals in the Maya civilization
    Literature
      required literature
    • The connected past : challenges to network studies in archaeology and history. Edited by Tom Brughmans - Anna Collar - Fiona Susan Coward. First edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016, xviii, 200. ISBN 9780198748519. info
      recommended literature
    • COLLAR, Anna. Religious networks in the Roman empire : the spread of new ideas. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013, xii, 322. ISBN 9781107043442. info
    • HARLAND, Philip A. Associations, synagogues, and congregations : claiming a place in ancient Mediterranean society. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003, xv, 399. ISBN 0800635892. info
    • Dynamics of identity in the world of the early Christiansassociations, Judeans, and cultural minorities. Edited by Philip A. Harland. New York: T & T Clark, 2009, xii, 239 p. ISBN 0567111466. info
    • Early Christian families in context : an interdisciplinary dialogue. Edited by David L. Balch - Carolyn Osiek. Cambridge: William B. Eerdmans publishing company, 2003, xix, 412. ISBN 080283986X. info
    • URO, Risto. Ritual and Christian beginnings : a socio-cognitive analysis. First edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016, vi, 230. ISBN 9780199661176. info
    • HURTADO, Larry W. The earliest Christian artifacts : manuscripts and Christian origins. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2006, xiv, 248. ISBN 0802828957. info
    Teaching methods
    Lectures; seminars; home exercises; colloquial discussion of selected readings
    Assessment methods
    Terms of the colloquium:
  • Completion of four homework assignments;
  • Active participation in the seminars (four out of six).
  • Colloquium discussion on the selected study
    Overall assessment includes: micro-assignments (40%); participation in seminars (10%); discussion of the selected study (50%). Pass mark: score: 60 points.
    • Language of instruction
    Czech
    Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
    Study Materials
    Information on course enrolment limitations: Zápis mimo religionistiku je podmíněn souhlasem vyučujících.
    • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2024/RLMgB610