2024
Conceptualizing Magic: Knowledge or Power? A Perspective From Medieval Iceland
A conference by Dr. Nicolas Meylan, University of Lausanne
Time and place: Oct. 15, 2024 1:15 PM – 4:00 PM, PAM Møterom 252
The conference will take place via Zoom from 14:15 to 16:00. It will be preceded by a reading seminar from 13:15 to 14:00, during which we will discuss the following text by Dr. Meylan:
"Fate Is a Hero's Best Friend: Towards a Socio-Political Definition of Fate in Medieval Icelandic Literature," Viking and Medieval Scandinavia 10 (2014), 155–172.
Those who do not have access to the article through their academic institution can request an electronic copy via email to andrea.rota@ikos.uio.no.
Please feel free to attend either the reading seminar, the conference, or both.
Cult and Culture: The Paradoxes of Orthodox Identity in Contemporary Russia
A conference by Dr. John P. Burgess, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Time and place: Sep. 12, 2024 2:15 PM – 4:00 PM, Eilert Sundts hus, A-blokka: Auditorium 3
This conference will argue that Orthodoxy in Russia today functions more as a cultural force than a religious one. It has not succeeded in drawing people into active church life, but it has effectively promoted an idealized, sacred image of Russia that now serves as a social backdrop—or an “atmosphere”—through which Russians and their political leaders derive a sense of distinctive national identity. The conference will examine both the possibilities and challenges of this form of “Orthodoxy” for the future of the church and society.
John P. Burgess teaches systematic theology and theological ethics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (USA). Among his books are Encounters with Orthodoxy; Holy Rus’: The Rebirth of Orthodoxy in the New Russia; and Why Read Pavel Florensky? Burgess has had three sabbatical years in Russia (St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Belgorod), has lectured in Ukraine, and had written and spoken extensively on the religious dimensions to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Workshop: "Orthodoxy and the Dynamics of Power in Contemporary Russia"
The Center for Religion and Politics and the research project Values-Based Regime Legitimation in Russia invite you all to a workshop exploring the political and social role of the Orthodox Church in contemporary Russia and its neighboring countries.
Time and place: Aug. 27, 2024 1:15 PM – 4:00 PM, PAM Seminar Room 1
Three speakers will offer complementary perspectives and lead us into engaging discussions and reflections.
- Ansgar Jödicke (University of Fribourg, CH): Is Religion Russia’s Long Arm in the Caucasus and Ukraine?
- Bojidar Kolov (UiO): War and (Russkiy) Mir: The Political Theology of the World Russian People’s Council
- Pål Kolstø (UiO): Apocalyptic Justifications for the War in Ukraine in Russian Orthodox Discourse
The workshop will take place on Tuesday, August 27, from 13:15 to 16:00, in PAM Seminar Room 1.
Conference by Dr. Ricarda Stegmann
On April 19, The Center for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, in collaboration with the Center for Religion and Politics, has hosted a talk by Dr. Ricarda Stegmann titled, "Sufism in Europe between New Age and (Moderate) Tradition? Attempts to Deconstruct Categories." Based on a recent research project on Sufi authorities in Europe, the lecture analyzed the teachings of contemporary Sufi authorities in Europe as products of a globally entangled history of religions. It also addressed the question of criteria for categorizing practices and concepts as belonging to either Islam or the "New Age" with the aim of challenging these categories.
Workshop with Dr. Valerio Severino
On February 13, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Valerio Severino from La Sapienza, Università di Roma, for an hybrid workshop. Dr. Severino recently released a documentary titled "Some Kind of Liberating Effect," which discusses the issue of academic freedom in the study of religion in Central and Eastern Europe today. The documentary, which is available on YouTube, illuminates further perspectives on the relationship between religion, politics, and academia.
Online lecture by Dr. Serina Heinen
On April 16, RelPol hosted an online lecture by Dr. Serina Heinen (Fondation Suisse d'Études) on the relationship between religion and politics in China.
2023
Workshop and Online Conference with Aaron Hughes
The Tyranny of Authenticity: Religion – Politics – Academia
On October 11, 2023, the RelPol group organises a hybrid workshop accompanied by an online conference by Aaron Hughes. Hughes is the Philip S. Bernstein Professor of Religious Studies in the department of religion and classics at the University of Rochester. In a series of influential books and articles, Aaron Hughes casts a critical gaze upon the academic production of knowledge regarding diverse religious traditions, with a specific focus on Judaism and Islam. Through his analyses, he illuminates the origins, principles, and assumptions that underpin present-day Jewish and Islamic studies in the United States, while also highlighting the intrinsic political dimension inherent in much of the scholarship within these domains. Hughes contends that scholars driven by an ideological search for "authenticity" often engage in crafting myths rather than pursuing genuine scholarly inquiry. In the first part of the workshop we will engage with selected texts by Hughes. In the second part, Hughes will share with us his lates insights before we open the floor to the participants' questions. You can find more information about the programme here. To register for the workshop and/or the online conference, please write to Andrea Rota
Workshop and Online Conference with Robert Yelle
On May 31st, 2023, the RelPol group organises a workshop around the book, "Sovereignty and the Sacred," by Robert Yelle. The workshop will be followed by an online conference and discussion with the author. Robert A. Yelle is professor of the theory and method of religious studies at Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich. In his latest book, Yelle explores the convergence in the history of European political theology between the sacred and the sovereign as creating “states of exception”—that is, moments of rupture in the normative order that, by transcending this order, are capable of re-founding or remaking it. Find more about the programme here. To register for the workshop and/or the online conference, please write to Andrea Rota
2019
RelPol Seminar Series
A weekly appointment to discuss individual projects and provide a forum where ph.d. students could present their projects for discussion. The seminars where held Mondays from 15.00 to 16.00 in room 425 in P. A. Munchs hus. Presentations of 15-20 minutes and 2-3 questions for discussion.
September
- 2. Sept. Mubashar Hasan: "Radicalization, terrorism and counter terrorism –5 South Asian countries."
- 9. Sept. Ole Jakob Løland: "The Theological Roots of the Christian Right in Brazil."
- 16. Sept. Vladimir Tikhonov: "Buddhism and State in South Korea."
- 23. Sept. Jenny Holmsen: "Faith based diplomacy – San Egidio's mission."
- 30. Sept. Berit Thorbjørnsrud: "Toleranse – the Emiratee way."
October
- 7. Oct. Ion Josan: On religious pluralism.
- 14. Oct. Marte Nilsen: "Refugee education for the Rohingya in Bangladesh – what is the role of religious institutions?"
- 21. Oct. Jane Skjoldli: "Distortion and destruction: blasphemy as disrupting religious interaction." OBS! PAM489
- 28. Oct. Bjørn Olav Utvik: "On Islamism and democracy in the Middle East - reflections eight years after the Arab spring."
November
- 4. Nov. Brynjar Lia: "Militant Islamism in Norway."
- 11. Nov. Karin Neutel: "The Bible as a tool in current anti-migration politics."
- 18. Nov. Iselin Frydenlund: "Islamophobia and re-configurations of Buddhist nationalism."
December
- 2. Dec. Open discussion – assessment of the autumn semester and plans for the spring.