Religion, Violence, Fundamentalism

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2023-2024/G_BATRSAL084#/

Course Objective

Course Objective
After finishing this course, the student

- has studied and compared different types of fundamentalism and fundamentalist movements;

- has examined the complex relation of fundamentalism with related phenomena, such as nationalism, extremism, radicalisation, and (terrorist or extremist) violence;

- is able to recognize the methodological difference in the multidisciplinary field of fundamentalism studies;

- is able to recognize various approaches to explain
fundamentalism;

- is able to critically reflect on the concept
‘fundamentalism’, the different ways to conceptualize and define it, and the aptness of the concept;

- has improved critical reading, presentation, and writing skills.

Course Content

This course focusses on fundamentalism. Since the beginning of fundamentalist movements in the early 20th century, public and academic

discourse has viewed fundamentalism as harmful to our societies. It is seen as reactionary, anti-democratic, anti-pluralistic, anti-scientific,

and militant. Much research has focussed on violent forms of fundamentalism, and has associated the phenomenon with violent extremism
and terrorism. In spite of this negative verdic on fundamentalism, it is far from clear what the term ‘fundamentalism’ actually means. Nor is it clear how it relates to phenomena such as nationalism, extremism, radicalisation, and (terrorist or extremist) violence, how to best explain why fundamentalism occures, or how to engage with
fundamentalists.

The course starts by scrutinizing various definitions and conceptualisations of ‘fundamentalism.’ It then zooms in on fundamentalist movements from the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions, and considers Hindu and Buddhist variants of fundamentalism.

In due course, the complex relation between fundamentalism and nationalism will be scrutinized. We will then turn to the question how
to explain fundamentalism, and what we mean by ‘explaining’ such a phenomenon. Moreover, we will reflect on the question how fundamentalism
relates to adjacent phenomena such as radicalization, extremism, and terrorism. The course concludes by addressing epistemological and ethical questions regarding fundamentalism: what is the role of indoctrination, education, or echo chambers for fundamentalist convictions, and how we should engage with fundamentalists?

Teaching Methods

The course will consist of lectures, group discussions, and student presentations.

Method of Assessment

Reflections on the obligatory readings (50% of the final grade)

(Group) Presentation (pass or a fail)

Final paper ( 50 % of the final grade)

Target Audience

BA students from any discipline, as long as you are interested in fundamentalism.

The module is part of the minor Religious Dimensions of Global Challenges.