Why is Religion Controversial

You will study processes of upheaval and change within religious traditions and some of the complex – and sometimes clashing – local, regional and national perspectives on familiar and unfamiliar controversies. Using a mix of historical, sociological and ethnographic sources, approaches and methods, this module will help you to develop your understanding of the nature and role of ‘religion’ in historical and contemporary societies. You will make significant use of the rich resources available online via the OU Library.

With the Why is Religion Controversial module at The Open University you will learn:

– ways to analyse the complex, subtle and sometimes controversial ways in which religious ideas and practices are embedded in society and culture
– some of the ways in which religious ideas and practices reproduce and destabilise societal and cultural norms
– the range of levels – individual, community, national and global – at which religious ideas and practices are significant
– how to analyse the extent to which translation and communication of religious ideas can cause misunderstanding, tension, conflict and controversy
– how to think clearly and in an informed way about a subject acknowledged to be of growing importance in today’s world.