Theme description RELV237/RELV337

The relationship between the city and religion is manifold and complex. While some cities are readily associated with the century-old history of one or several religions, especially modern urban agglomerations are usually seen as largely secular, and the significance of religion in the everyday life of their inhabitants is often overlooked. The course offers a discussion of major themes related to the study of religions in urban contexts, with a focus on selected South Asian and European cities. Some of these themes are: the importance of religions for the fabric and the development of cities over the centuries; the importance of cities as sites and 'laboratories' of religious transformation and innovation; the spaces of religion in urban settings; the influence of the urban on religious practices. RELV237/RELV337.