Universität Wien

010182 SE Classical and Modern Theories of Religion (2026S)

8.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Theologien und Religionswiss.
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
We 18.03. 18:30-20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG

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).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 04.03. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 11.03. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 25.03. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 15.04. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 22.04. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 29.04. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 06.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 13.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 20.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 27.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 03.06. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 10.06. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 17.06. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 24.06. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Description:
A survey of leading classical theories of religion, as were exemplified by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Sigmund Freud, Emile Durkheim, Robert Bellah, and Rodney Stark. A ‘theory of religion’ is an attempt to generalize about the phenomenon of religion across time and space by answering two fundamental questions: what is the origin and what is the function of religion. By focusing on theorists who represent different disciplines (Economics, Psychology, and Sociology), and by reading their own works, the course will discuss whether and how those theorists answer the aforementioned questions, how they approach religion, what do they make of the phenomenon, and how they contributed to the development of understanding religion.

Aim:
The course aims to introduce students to the range of modern theories of religion stemming from the fields of sociology, economics, and psychology among others, and to enable students to apply theories to actual religions. By the end of the course, students should have become familiar with the range of these modern theories of religion, with ways of comparing theories, with ways of applying theories to specific religions, and with ways of evaluating theories.

Method:
Reading of selected texts (in English translation), lectures, and in class discussion.
All readings will be available on MOODLE at the beginning of the semester.

Assessment and permitted materials

Class participation and attendance (30%); book review 1,000 words (20%); final essay 3,000 words (50%).
Permitted Materials: Academic books, academic articles, encyclopaedias, internet sources.
Wikipedia entries are not accepted as proper academic literature.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

An interest in different disciplinary approaches to religion; no knowledge of foreign languages is required apart from a good command of English; all readings will be in English.
Class participation and attendance (30%); book review 1,000 words (20%); final essay 3,000 words (50%).

The course instructor decides whether and which AI may be used in class or when writing academic papers. The details will be announced in the course and will be agreed upon with the students. In the event of suspicion of non-transparent or unauthorised use of AI, the course management reserves the right to hold a "grade-relevant discussion". The purpose of this grade-relevant discussion is to ensure that the student is able to complete the seminar paper independently. If the discussion reveals that the student is unable to provide sufficient information on the content, methods, sources used or conclusions of the seminar paper, the seminar paper will be assessed negatively. If it emerges during the interview that unauthorised aids have been used, a procedure under study law will be initiated due to the use of unauthorised aids. Otherwise, the assessment originally intended by the course instructor will be retained.

Further information can be found in the current guidelines of the University of Vienna on dealing with AI: https://doi.org/10.25365/phaidra.544 and in the guidelines of the KTF: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_ktf/2019/Im_Studium/Leitlinien_KI_der_KTF_Endfassung.pdf

Examination topics

Lecture content; the original readings of the theorists under examination; critical approach and personal insight.

A list of books will be provided at the beginning of the semester for the review essay.

A list of topics for the final essay will be provided on the first meeting. Students are nevertheless also encouraged to propose their own topic if they wish so.

Reading list

(1) Pals, Daniel L. 2022. Ten Theories of Religion. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press.
(2) Segal, Robert A. 2005. “Theories of Religion.” In John R. Hinnells (ed.), The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion. London and New York: Routledge, pp. 49–60.
(3) McCutcheon, Russell T. 2023. Studying Religion: An Introduction. 3rd edition. London and New York: Routledge.
(4) Seth D. Kunin, ed. 2003. Religion: The Modern Theories. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Association in the course directory

Masterstudium Religionswissenschaft NEU: M2 SE zu vergleichend-systematischer Religionswissenschaft; 066 800 [ALT] M4; M9; M16; M20; A 033 195 (BRP 05rwb); A 033 195 (BRP 17rwb); A 033 195 14rwb (b)

Last modified: Fr 13.02.2026 09:45