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RESA4207 - Jesus, Muhammad and Modern Identities

Course content

In popular polemics between Christians and Muslims one often encounters comparisons between Jesus and Muhammad that are both stereotypical and derogatory of the “other”. In this course we will go beyond these simple stereotypes and do a serious study of the link between historical presentations of Jesus and Muhammad and the present question for identity among followers of Christianity and Islam. The hypothesis to be investigated is that historical presentations of the founder figures of the two religions are used to express meaning and identity in the present situation. Historical questions: “Who was Jesus/ Muhammad?” are therefore not des-interested, but always related to the question “Who am I/are we?”

The course has three main parts. The first will focus on the methods and questions in the study of the historical Jesus and how it is shaped by the search for meaning among Christians in various contexts, e.g. in Latin America, among feminists or in transcultural contexts. The second part will focus on presentations of Muhammad, historical questions and the quest for identity in modern, especially European Islam. The third part will study comparisons between Jesus and Muhammad in recent scholarship, both dialogical and confrontational comparisons. Teachers in the course are Halvor Moxnes, Oddbjørn Leirvik, Faculty of Theology, and Nora Eggen, IKOS.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student should have

1. gained insight in the methodological and hermeneutical issues involved in reconstructing the lives of Jesus and Muhammad
2. established knowledge of some important presentations of Jesus and Muhammad
3. developed skills to make comparisons between Jesus, Muhammad and their ideas in the context of inter-religious dialogue.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

Bachelor degree with an emphasis in theology, Christian/religious studies, social sciences or arts, 80 credits or equivalent

Teaching

Compulsory activities:

During the course,(1) a 1200-1300 word reflection on a specified part of the reading list and (2) one response to a reflection by one of the fellow students.

Teaching takes place throughout the semester.

Criteria for access to teaching resources

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, contingent on available capacity.

Exam information

At the end of the term there will be a three days take-home examination of 3-4000 words. The paper can either be in English or in Norwegian.

Exam resources

No special exam resources are allowed.

Language of examination

The language of examination is Norwegian. You can apply to the administrators of the course to be given the exam text in English. It is possible to submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

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