CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANITY’S RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER RELIGIONS

The course is part of the interdisciplinary activities of the Master’s Degree in History from the Middle Ages to the Present, and of the inter-university Master's Degree in Religious Studies.

The objectives of the course are:
- the acquisition of advanced and detailed knowledge of the key phenomena characterizing the history of Christianity in the contemporary era, with particular emphasis on the history of relations between Christian denominations, the history of ecumenism, and the dynamics of interreligious dialogue;
- the ability to apply historical methodology to contemporary Christianity;
- an in-depth and precise capacity for contextualizing and analyzing historical sources related to the history of Christianity in the contemporary era, also through the use of IT and digital tools;
- the ability to thoroughly study and discuss the phenomena specific to the history of Christianity in the contemporary age, even in a multidisciplinary context;
- the development of the learning skills essential for teaching history, with a specific focus on the history of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue.

The course aims to achieve the following learning objectives:

1. Knowledge and understanding
- In-depth understanding of the key aspects and challenges in the history of contemporary Christianity;
- Advanced knowledge of historical methodology;
- Advanced expertise in historical sources related to the history of Christianity in the Contemporary Age

2. Application of Knowledge and Understanding
- Ability to effectively apply historical methodology to the study of Christian history;
- Proficiency in conducting in-depth analysis of historical sources concerning the history of Christianity in the Contemporary Age;
- Capability to carry out innovative research in the history of Christianity during the Contemporary Age.

3. Judgement and Communication Skills
- Ability to communicate and critically debate the major developments and challenges in the history of contemporary Christianity, including with specialist audiences.

4. Learning Skills
- Development of the learning skills necessary to pursue further studies in the history of Christianity in the Contemporary Age, primarily in a self-directed or autonomous manner.

It is recommended that students have already completed an advanced master's course in the History of Christianity in the Contemporary Age during their academic studies.

Analysis of the fundamental aspects of the history of Christianity in the contemporary age, with an overview of the relevant historiography and research methodologies in the field of historical-religious studies, through a critical examination of the history of relations between Christian denominations, the history of ecumenism, and interreligious dialogue.

1) Texts and topics covered during the course: For each lesson, supplementary texts on the topics discussed and compensatory tools for absentees will be uploaded to Moodle. Given the in-depth nature of the topics compared to the reference textbook, attending the lessons is highly recommended
2) General reference textbook: S. Morandini, Teologia dell'ecumenismo, Bologna, EDB, 2018, pp. 1-132
3) Additional specific bibliography and any supplementary materials will be provided upon students' request for monographic study aimed at preparing the research paper and the final seminar, which are part of the evaluation process.

The following criteria will be assessed:

1) Active participation in seminar discussions and/or personal discussion of the supplementary materials during the exam = maximum achievable score: 2/30;
2) A research paper on a topic to be agreed upon with the instructor. Minimum length 15,000 characters, maximum 16,500, including spaces and excluding notes (the notes should be only bibliographic) = maximum score achievable 9/30
3) Oral presentation of the topics covered in the research paper during the final seminar = maximum achievable score: 9/30. In case the oral presentation is not given, the score in this category can be achieved by doubling the length of the research paper required in point 2;
4) The oral exam on the reference texts = maximum achievable score: 10/30.

The highest possible score is 30/30 with honors.

Lectures and research seminars.

Italian

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development