Required prerequisite knowledge

A year’s study (60 ECTS credits) of intercultural studies, ICS, or equivalent is preferable, but 60 credits in social studies or in humanities provides a basis for admission. The course can also be taken as an elective in journalism, social sciences, or teacher education.

Relevance within study programme

Elective in

• Bachelor in Intercultural Studies

Introduction

The purpose is for the student to gain insight into how fundamental assumptions about reality shape how we think and act. Increased insight into how our understanding and acting comes from our history and our context, we will understand how members of other societies have their understanding and actions based on their contexts.

Learning outcomes descriptors

On completion of the course, the candidate should have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate

• Has knowledge of the concept of worldview, its origin and later use.
• Is familiar with how people acquire a worldview, and how this worldview shapes how people think and act.
• Has knowledge of the relationship between culture, religion and worldview.
• Has knowledge of different eras in European history and the main elements of the worldview in the respective eras.  
• Has knowledge of how worldview changes at the individual level and in society.

Skills

The candidate

• Is able to reflect on cultural and religious changes in Europe from the worldview perspective.
• Is able to reflect on how worldview reflects and affects cultural and religious understanding.
• Is able to apply methods to do research on worldview.

General competence

The candidate

• Has knowledge of how worldview shapes cultural and religious perceptions and actions on the individual level and in society.

Content

Why do you think the way you do, and why do we think differently? Both time differences and cultural contexts have shaped and shape different ways of thinking. All societies shape their understanding of reality, which shapes how members of individual societies think and act as they do. What is logical and what is right and wrong are large categories where people think differently depending on the context in which they live. Simultaneously, there are significant individual differences in how we think even within a society. Where do all these different ways of thinking come from, and why are there also many common denominators in historical eras and cultural contexts? These are questions that are answered in the topic of real life comprehension/worldview.

By understanding how different eras in Europe have provided different premises for how one perceives reality and how the understanding of reality lays the ground for cultural and religious ways of being and thinking. The student will be able to identify, discuss and reflect on their understanding of society one is a part of, and thus be able to understand other cultural and religious contexts.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures.

Scope

300 hours.

Coursework requirements

None.

Final assessment

Written examination, 5 hours.

Permitted aids under examination

None

Grading, examination

Grades are given on a scale from A to E for a pass and F for a fail grade.

Assessment language

• Norwegian
• Scandinavian languages
• English

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

A course evaluation will be carried out in line with NLA´s quality system.

Available for Course Students

Yes

Reading list and academic resources

Subject of changes

Approx. 750 pages.

NB! Literature marked *will be found in an electronic compendium.

Hiebert, P.G (2008). Transforming Worldveiws: An Anthropological Understanding of How People Change. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, p. 13 -68; 89-104; 211-264 (123 p.)

Naugle, D. K. (2002). Worldview - The History of a Concept. Cambridge, U.K., William B. Eerdmans Publishing: p. 55-252. (197 p.)

Sire, J. W. (2009). The Universe Next Door - A basic Worldview Catalogue (5th ed.). Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press. (285 p.)

Sire, J.W. (2004). Naming the elephant – Worldview as a concept. Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press. (161 p.)