The objectives of this course are to provide the students with knowledge and understanding of cultural and religious plurality in Norwegian and international contexts. Cultural plurality raises both theoretical and practical challenges, and the teachings will address both these aspects. On the one hand, cultural plurality has a practical side in how we create and organize human relations face to face, and also in policy making. On the other hand, knowledge and frames of interpretation developed in the human and social sciences (cultural studies, anthropology, sociology, theology, religious studies, philosophy) provides us with insights into different ways cultural plurality can be conceptualized and interpreted. The pedagogical approach to the topic is student-active learning, with case studies and personal accounts playing a central role. Central themes are:

• Cultural diversity in schools, workplaces and the media
• Dimensions of migration (cultural- and religious encounters in the past and present)
• The relation between culture and religion
• Values, pluralism, tolerance and secularization
• Intercultural understanding and analysis (concepts, models)
• Communication and intercultural communication theory

The course has three main parts :

Part 1 : Intercultural communication

This part is concerned with intercultural understanding on a micro level by focussing on practices, communication and human relations. Processes of communication in arenas such as the school, work, and social relations in practice and theory are addressed. Communication is fundamental for human coexistence. Yet communication is often related to conflict and is also a question of power and the right to define. The teaching will intially introduce cases and experiences from workplaces, schools and media. Secondly, this material will be used in theoretical discussions introducing various  concepts, theories and modells current in the field (such as communication, interpretation, and dialogue). Examples of questions discussed are: What are the mediums available through which intercultural relations are created ? Why do some relations work and others not ? Thus, tools are discussed that may promote consciousness for interpretation as well as better understanding of misinterpretation. Thirdly, political implications for the communicative setting is highlighted pursuing arguments to manners of which analysis of communication may reveal hidden power structures.

Part 2 : Religious and cultural encounters  
In the second part, intercultural understanding on a macro level is discussed. Cultural encounters and contact between various groups has always been a part of human history. At the same time these encounters has often been subject to regulation and restrain from politcal authorities as well as within cultural groups themselves. Initially, empirical examples of cultural contact in the history of migration will be brought up providing context for discussions of how religion, race and culture have been, and are, used as principles for inclusion and exclusion in European and Norwegian political history. Secondly, cultural plurality is approached by way of analyzis of various political and social frames (like multiculturalism, secularism, integration, inclusion and exclusion) developed and used for dealing with cultural plurality. Thirdly, ethical questions are addressed such as tolerance and values in the interaction between humans with various backgrounds.

Part 3 : Cultural analysis and interpretation

Discussions from the two previous parts are broadened through selected theoretical models, concepts, and methods used in analysis and interpretation of cultural expression (examples being «interpretative sociology», «thick descriptions» «hermeneutics», «everyday religion» and «intercultural comparison»). Furthermore, language and metaphors used to understand culture complexity and interaction will be discussed (such as monoculture, creolizaton, religious syncretism and cultural hybridity). The theoretical concepts and models are used for analysis, interpretation and discussion of concrete cultural expressions such as images, music, texts, films, human action, interaction and communication.

Target groups: International and Norwegian students who want to study cultural plurality from practical and theoretical perspectives. The course is relevant for students who have worked in multicultural and/or international environements, or who aim at working in such environements.