Postgraduate Course: New Age Spirituality in Contemporary Culture (REST11010)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course investigates the popular field of beliefs and practices known as 'new age' or 'holistic' 'spirituality'. Methodology combines empirical study, historical contextualization and theoretical analysis. The aim of the course is to explain the history, structure and popular appeal of the phenomenon through multi-causal analysis. We begin with the problem of demarcating a highly fluid field of beliefs, practices and people, examining various definitions of 'new age', as well the theoretical cogency of defining 'new age' as a form of 'religion'. We examine the role of authority and tradition in the development of a culture of 'seekership', spread via networks, small groups and model biographies. Using qualitative and quantitative data, we study the socio-demographic base of 'new age' in the context of patterns in religious pluralization and consumption in the modern world. Finally, we assess the overall social and public significance of 'new age spirituality'. |
| Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | This is a graduate-level course. Please confirm subject prerequisites with the Course Manager. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1500 word field report (25%)
3000 word essay (75%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:-
- develop critical knowledge of a diffuse field of popular beliefs and practices;
- explain new age beliefs and practices in the light of theories of 'religion';
- account for the socio-demographic base of 'new age spirituality';
- theorise new age comparatively: against other religious/cultural formations;
- develop skills in multi-causal analysis: historical, social, cultural, cognitive.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | NewAgeSpirit |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Steven Sutcliffe
Tel: (0131 6)50 8947
Email: S.Sutcliffe@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Joanne Hendry
Tel: (0131 6)50 7227
Email: J.Hendry@ed.ac.uk |
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