010098 SE Transformation of (Christian) Rituals (2026S)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Mo 02.02.2026 10:00 to We 25.02.2026 10:00
- Deregistration possible until Su 15.03.2026 10:00
Details
max. 30 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes
MI 04.03.2026 16.45-18.15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
MI 11.03.2026 Reading at home
MI 18.03.2026 16.45-18.15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
MI 25.03.2026 16.45-18.15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
MI 15.04.2026 16.45-18.15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
MI 27.05.2026 16.45-18.15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
MI 03.06.2026 16.45-18.15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
MI 10.06.2026 16.45-18.15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
MI 17.06.2026 16.45-18.15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
Type of performance assessment (grading):
Class participation (20%)
Presentation on a topic (30%)
Portfolio (50%)Use of AI in the Course
For the use of AI in studies at the University of Vienna see: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/studying-exams/ai-in-studies-and-teaching/
The use of AI in this course must follow the following guidelines: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/en/organising-your-studies/ai-in-studies/
The use of AI must be made transparent along these rules: https://ucloud.univie.ac.at/index.php/s/A5DRyWjGTPjrfGpPlease note: In case of suspicion of non-transparent use of AI not in accordance with the guidelines, the course instructor has the right to conduct a "grade-relevant conversation".
Class participation (20%)
Presentation on a topic (30%)
Portfolio (50%)Use of AI in the Course
For the use of AI in studies at the University of Vienna see: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/studying-exams/ai-in-studies-and-teaching/
The use of AI in this course must follow the following guidelines: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/en/organising-your-studies/ai-in-studies/
The use of AI must be made transparent along these rules: https://ucloud.univie.ac.at/index.php/s/A5DRyWjGTPjrfGpPlease note: In case of suspicion of non-transparent use of AI not in accordance with the guidelines, the course instructor has the right to conduct a "grade-relevant conversation".
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
Type of performance assessment (grading):
Class participation (20%)
Presentation on a topic (30%)
Portfolio (50%)The portfolio (approx. 15 pages, approx. 35,000-40,000 characters including spaces) consists of the following written assignments to be completed during the seminar:
1. Summary of the topic: Religious studies theories of ritual (3 pages, approx. 7,500 characters including spaces)
2. Summary of the topic: Theory of Christian rituals (3 pages, approx. 7,500 characters including spaces)
3. Reflection on the field research conducted (practical phase) incorporating the results presented in the presentation (5 pages, approx. 12,500 characters including spaces)
4. Final reflection on the overall context of the course, with particular emphasis on the relationship between ritual theory and empirical research (3 pages, approx. 7,500 characters including spaces)
Class participation (20%)
Presentation on a topic (30%)
Portfolio (50%)The portfolio (approx. 15 pages, approx. 35,000-40,000 characters including spaces) consists of the following written assignments to be completed during the seminar:
1. Summary of the topic: Religious studies theories of ritual (3 pages, approx. 7,500 characters including spaces)
2. Summary of the topic: Theory of Christian rituals (3 pages, approx. 7,500 characters including spaces)
3. Reflection on the field research conducted (practical phase) incorporating the results presented in the presentation (5 pages, approx. 12,500 characters including spaces)
4. Final reflection on the overall context of the course, with particular emphasis on the relationship between ritual theory and empirical research (3 pages, approx. 7,500 characters including spaces)
Examination topics
Will be announced in the seminar.
Reading list
Basic Literature - English:
Catherine Bell, Ritual theory, ritual practica, Oxford 1992; new: Oxfort 2009 (Online RessourceUB Vienna)
Tomasz Dekert, Catholicism or Post-Catholicisms? The Effects of Catholic Liturgical Reform Considered in the Light of Roy A. Rappaport’s Theory of Ritual, in: Religion & Theology 29 (2022/12), 229-269. (Online-Ressource)
Bruce Morrill, Sacramental Theology: Theory and Practice from Multiple Perspectives, MDPI 2019 (Online Ressource).
German Martinez, Theology of the Christian Sacraments, 2004 (Online Ressource)Basic Literature - German:
Christiane Brosius / Axel Michaels / Paula Schrode (Hg.), Ritual und Ritualdynamik. Schlüsselbegriffe, Theorien, Diskussionen. Göttingen 2013.
Hans Gerald Hödl / Johann Pock / Teresa Schweighofer (Hg.), Christliche Rituale im Wandel, Wien 2017.
Andrea Belliger (Hg.), Ritualtheorien. Ein einführendes Handbuch, Wiesbaden 2006.
Michael Hochschild, Funktionswandel christlicher Rituale, in: Herbert Poensgen (Hg.), Rituelle Experimente: Gottesdienst - mitten im Leben? Waltrop 2000, 12-37.
Catherine Bell, Ritual theory, ritual practica, Oxford 1992; new: Oxfort 2009 (Online RessourceUB Vienna)
Tomasz Dekert, Catholicism or Post-Catholicisms? The Effects of Catholic Liturgical Reform Considered in the Light of Roy A. Rappaport’s Theory of Ritual, in: Religion & Theology 29 (2022/12), 229-269. (Online-Ressource)
Bruce Morrill, Sacramental Theology: Theory and Practice from Multiple Perspectives, MDPI 2019 (Online Ressource).
German Martinez, Theology of the Christian Sacraments, 2004 (Online Ressource)Basic Literature - German:
Christiane Brosius / Axel Michaels / Paula Schrode (Hg.), Ritual und Ritualdynamik. Schlüsselbegriffe, Theorien, Diskussionen. Göttingen 2013.
Hans Gerald Hödl / Johann Pock / Teresa Schweighofer (Hg.), Christliche Rituale im Wandel, Wien 2017.
Andrea Belliger (Hg.), Ritualtheorien. Ein einführendes Handbuch, Wiesbaden 2006.
Michael Hochschild, Funktionswandel christlicher Rituale, in: Herbert Poensgen (Hg.), Rituelle Experimente: Gottesdienst - mitten im Leben? Waltrop 2000, 12-37.
Association in the course directory
für 011 (15W) FTH 17 oder FTH 26, 198 418 BA UF RK 16, 199 517 MA UF RK 02 oder RK 05, 033 195 (17W) BRP, 18krp, BRP 18ktb
Last modified: Th 05.03.2026 10:05
Christian (and here especially Catholic) rituals (especially the sacraments) have shaped not only the lives of Christians but society as a whole in Austria over the past centuries. Life in a postmodern, pluralistic age has become more diverse, and rituals are being changed and “recomposed” and Nowadays, in a postmodern, pluralistic era, people's lives have become more diverse, and rituals are being changed and “recomposed” to suit the new realities of life. On the one hand, non-Catholic Christian churches are more strongly represented (partly as a result of migration), and on the other hand, there are influences from non-Christian traditions.The seminar aims to first clarify the basic theories of ritual and the background of Christian rituals (here primarily in the context of comparative religion context: rites of passage, calendar rites, rites for turning/averting distress, commutative rites). The focus will not only be on rituals in the Catholic Church (Sacraments, blessings). The aim is also to raise awareness of the diversity of Christianities in the country.The second part focuses on observing and analyzing specific rituals. Students' own observations and ritual theories are compared in final presentations.Objectives / Goals:
• Observing and analyzing (Christian) rituals
• Becoming familiar with basic ritual theories
• Becoming familiar with the rituals of different Christian churches in Austria
• Developing an awareness of issues relating to the connection between religions, rituals, and reflection on them
• Training the ability to work independently in an empirical manner (field research)Methods:
Presentations, text work, group work, field research, presentations