1. Overview from the sociology of religion standpoint
2. In what way did the doctrine of the Second Vatican Council represent change?
Symbolics
The goal of this course is to familiarise students with the particular dogmas and practices of historical churches, denominations and small fellowships, whose adherents we encounter on a daily basis.
Competences
Specific competences
The students become familiar with the specific teachings and practices of the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic and Unitarian Churches. Furthermore, we investigate the traditional Neo-Protestant denominations (Baptist, Adventist, Pentecostal) and the already rooted and expanding communities (Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Faith's Church).General competences
Extensive knowledge of the different denominations helps the students to dismantle certain prejudices, by measuring the weight and importance of shared Christian heritage, and at the same time developing their critical abilities, through which they can distinguish between truly important matters of faith and secondary or unimportant religious matters. In these courses and seminars, we strive for the authentic representation of a community by its own members. Thus, the courses serve to deepen ecumenical attitude and mutual respect of each other's values.Course structure
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The Roman Catholic Church in Transylvania
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Disputed issues between Protestantism and Catholicism
1. The concept of church
2. The doctrine of man
3. The doctrine of justification -
The difference between the doctrines of Mariology and the sacraments in Protestant and Catholic interpretation
1. Mariology
2. General doctrine of the sacraments
3. Detailed doctrine of the sacraments -
The Orthodox Church
1. Overview from the sociology of religion standpoint
2. Is the East/West Schism between the Eastern and Western churches determined historically, dogmatically or rather culturally? -
Doctrinal distinctives of Orthodoxy
1. Doctrine of the Church
2. Soteriology
3. Doctrine of holiness
4. The mystery of the icon
5. Mariology, veneration of the saints
6. Eschatology
7. The function of the priesthood/monastic orders -
Orthodox spirituality
1. The spirituality of the teaching of the Philokalia
2. Folk piety and superstition in Orthodoxy -
The Unitarian Church
1. Overview from the sociology of religion standpoint
2. Specific doctrine: Jesus and the interpretation of salvation -
The Greek Catholic Church
1. Overview from the sociology of religion standpoint
2. Historical overview
3. Specific doctrines -
The Baptist Church
1. Overview from the sociology of religion standpoint
2. Historical background
3. Specific doctrine and practice: the accusation of semi-Pelagianism and the issue of adult baptism -
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church
1. Overview from the sociology of religion standpoint
2. Historical background
3. Specific doctrine: sanctity of the Sabbath -
The Pentecostal Church
1. Pentecostalism’s popularity today
2. Historical background
3. Specific doctrine: the manifestations of the Spirit -
Jehovah's Witnesses
1. Conceptual clarification of the sect
2. Jehovah's Witnesses in the world and in Transylvania
3. Specific doctrine and practice -
The Mormons
1. Their history
2. Their popularity today
3. Specific doctrine, practice and mission -
Faith's Church
1. Their history
2. Their popularity in Hungary and Transylvania
3. Specific doctrine and practice
Total estimated time
Classroom study
- 2 hours/week (Course: 1 | Seminar: 1 | Practice: 0)
- 28 hours/semester (Course: 14 | Seminar: 14 | Practice: 0)
Individual study
- Time for studying course notes and bibliography: 20 hours/semester.
- Time for further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field: 20 hours/semester.
- Time for preparing essays, papers, or documentation: 10 hours/semester.
- Time for personal tutoring: 2 hours/semester.
- Total individual study: 52 hours/semester.
- Total estimated time: 80 hours/semester.
Examination
1. Oral exam based on the bibliography - 50%
2. Written paper on and presentation of one of the elected subjects - 50%