Interreligious Hermeneutics and Diversity - Period 1 Social Sciences & Humanities Program Fall 2023 Semester - Amsterdam

What is hermeneutics? It is a practice of interpretation. But what criteria are there for distinguishing between good and bad interpretations? Different theoretical hermeneutic approaches wil be discussed. Particular Attention will be given to the notion of 'author's intention'? What is the relation between 'author's intention' (or other interpretative methods) and action? How do interpretations steer the believers' actions? Different Hermeneutic approaches will be traced into different religions. It will e.g. be asked what (good) interpretation is in Christianity, in Islam and Hinduism. Attention will be given to the diverse practices of interpretation Between the religions but also within the religions. After all, it is not the case that there is one particular practice of interpretation in Christianity, in Islam... but the practices differ even within religions. Particular attention will be given to the consequence practices of interpretation have regarding e.g. environmental questions, gender issues, sexuality, minorities, etc.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) awards credits based on the ECTS system. Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.