Religions (B-KUL-H0N82A)
Aims
Students aim at
- clarifying the functioning of religions and world views, especially the Christian religion, into culture and society;
- analyzing which anthropological stances and worldviews are present in society and culture (e.g. in media, health care, economy, technology, education) and critically reflecting on it;
- showing, explaining and illustrating the particularity of world views and religions, especially the Christian worldview;
- applying theoretical views from theology and religious sciences into actual societal debates;
- learning to know religious and ethical themes with regard to their own professional field and critically dealing with them;
- formulating a personal view about religions and world views in dialogue with the Christian faith in an argumentative manner:
- being capable to formulate the value of religion and world views for their own life;
- integrating religious and ethical dimensions in the development of their own professional identity
Previous knowledge
This course does not require specific prior knowledge. General knowledge of the main lines of philosophy, ethics and western culture and history do belong to the presupposed background of the course. Concerning motivation, the students are not expected to be religious, but they are expected to be willing to reflect in an open and critical-scientific manner on fundamental ethical questions, and questions on the meaning of life, from different philosophical points of view, in particular, but not exclusively, the Jewish and Christian point of view.
Identical courses
This course is identical to the following courses:
A08C4A : Religie, zingeving en levensbeschouwing
A04D5A : Religie, zingeving en levensbeschouwing
Is included in these courses of study
- Master of Chemical Engineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Engineering: Energy (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: chemische technologie (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Nanoscience, Nanotechnology and Nanoengineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Mechanical Engineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Mathematical Engineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Engineering: Computer Science (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Materials Engineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Mobility and Supply Chain Engineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Electrical Engineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Civil Engineering (Leuven) (Hydraulic Engineering) 120 ects.
- Master of Civil Engineering (Leuven) (Structural Engineering) 120 ects.
- Master of Biomedical Engineering (Programme for students started in 2021-2022 or later) (Leuven) 120 ects.
Activities
3 ects. Religions (B-KUL-H0N82a)
Content
Content Key themes in religion and theology are presented, based on insights of modern social sciences and contemporary philosophical thinking. The following questions are studied: what kind of purposes do religions serve, what is the core of the Christian faith and how can this be situated in the framework of other world religions? Both the relationship between Christianity and culture and Faith and Science is given much attention, as well as some classical themes which have always been the pivoting points of the Christian faith: the contribution of faith to personal happiness, the (Christian) expectations of a future life. Finally, the relevance of religious viewpoints on themes in engineering ethics will be presented.
Course material
Study cost: 11-25 euros (The information about the study costs as stated here gives an indication and only represents the costs for purchasing new materials. There might be some electronic or second-hand copies available as well. You can use LIMO to check whether the textbook is available in the library. Any potential printing costs and optional course material are not included in this price.)
The professor makes course notes available.
Format: more information
Interactive college. Apart from the lectures, a guest lecture could be organized.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Religions (B-KUL-H2N82a)
Information about retaking exams
Contrary to the first examination (multiple choice), re-examination consists of 3 open questions.