Violences et religions (Coursera)

Offered by University of Geneva,
Violences et religions (Coursera)

La question « violences et religions » est d’actualité, et pas seulement depuis les attentats d’Al-Qaïda ou de Daech. Pour bien la comprendre, ce cours propose de prendre du recul et de l’envisager sous un angle historique et comparatiste. Le domaine concerné étant l’espace euro-méditerranéen, ce sont essentiellement le christianisme et l’islam qui seront traités (quelques séquences sont également consacrées au judaïsme).

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Notre approche commencera avec quelques-uns des textes les plus difficiles de la Bible et du Coran puis vous entraînera dans un survol historique : christianisation de l’Europe et islamisation du monde méditerranéen, avec leurs cortèges de contraintes religieuses ; répression des hérésies, croisades, statut des minorités dans le monde arabo-musulman ; guerres de religion en Europe, puis tentatives d’établir la liberté de conscience ; l’islam moderne, et ses courants réformistes, du wahhabisme à la Nahda (Lumières) ; réflexions et défis d’aujourd’hui, avec le concours de plusieurs personnalités du monde de la philosophie, du droit, de la psychanalyse, de la théologie…
Ce cours fait appel à 25 spécialistes de Suisse, de France, de Belgique, du Canada et du Maroc. Quelques-uns s’expriment en arabe, mais la grande majorité des séquences est en français (les séquences sont intégralement sous-titrées en français et en arabe).
Objectifs d’apprentissage généraux
Au terme du parcours, l’étudiant(e) sera capable de :
• poser le problème des liens entre violence et religion
• mesurer l’intérêt d’une approche historico-critique de la question « violences et religions »
• énoncer, dans leurs grandes lignes, quelques positions de penseurs chrétiens et musulmans sur la violence
• identifier les facteurs, notamment politiques, qui génèrent la violence religieuse
• comprendre comment la liberté de conscience contribue à résoudre le problème de la violence religieuse
• formuler une appréciation personnelle et argumentée sur la violence dans l’histoire du christianisme et de l’islam

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Méthode, principes, origines
Pour commencer, nous vous proposons une approche historico-critique des textes sacrés (Bible et Coran) et des premiers temps du christianisme et de l'islam.

WEEK 2
La chrétienté médiévale
Vous entendrez ici parler de christianisation contrainte, de chasse aux hérétiques, de croisades, mais aussi de non-violence. Avec en outre une leçon sur le judaïsme face à la violence.

WEEK 3
L'islam médiéval et moderne
Notre tâche sera maintenant de bien vous guider : de la période des premiers califes (dits précisément bien guidés) aux conquêtes omeyyades et à la réflexion, en terre d'Islam, sur la guerre et la paix.

WEEK 4
L'Europe moderne (16e-18e siècle)
Nous allons ici vous conduire du 16e siècle, avec son cortège de violences religieuses, à la réflexion théologique et philosophique qui va contribuer à la victoire de la liberté de conscience en Europe.

WEEK 5
L'islam du 18e au 20e siècle
Vous allez comprendre ici ce que sont le salafisme, le wahhabisme ou les Frères musulmans. Il sera aussi question de la Nahda (Renaissance arabe), du conflit israélo-arabe, d'iconoclasme, de Daech et de liberté de conscience dans le monde arabo-musulman.

WEEK 6
Réflexions et défis d'aujourd'hui
Nous allons vous présenter plusieurs intervenants de grande qualité, qui vous apporteront notamment un éclairage philosophique, juridique, humanitaire, religieux, psychologique sur notre thème.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Coursera)

This course explores Jewish, Christian, and Muslim intercultural relations in Iberia from the Visigothic era (6th century CE) until the creation of Queen Isabel I and King Ferdinand II Catholic Spain (late 15th century). We evaluate the many identities of the peninsula known as Christian Hispania, Jewish Sefarad, and Islamic al-Andalus. We trace the origins and trajectory of conflict between these communities (the Muslim conquest of Spain, Christian Reconquista, prohibitions blocking intermixing of peoples, and expulsions).

Jul 20th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University

Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice (Coursera)

Terrorism has arguably been one of the defining factors of our age. It frequently makes headlines, threatening or attacking governments, private business and ordinary citizens. And in many parts of the world, it has been one of the most important threats to peace, security and stability. But what does this exactly mean? What is the nature of this threat? Who or what is threatened, how, by whom and why? What can be done about it or how can we at least limit the impact of terrorism and make sure that terrorists do not make headlines and manage to scare us? These are just a handful of questions that will be addressed in this course that consists of three parts.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Philosophy, Science and Religion: Science and Philosophy (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Philosophy, Science and Religion: Science and Philosophy (Coursera)

Philosophy, Science and Religion mark three of the most fundamental modes of thinking about the world and our place in it. Are these modes incompatible? Put another way: is the intellectually responsible thing to do to ‘pick sides’ and identify with one of these approaches at the exclusion of others? Or, are they complementary or mutually supportive? As is typical of questions of such magnitude, the devil is in the details. For example, it is important to work out what is really distinctive about each of these ways of inquiring about the world. In order to gain some clarity here, we’ll be investigating what some of the current leading thinkers in philosophy, science and religion are actually doing.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Religious Transformation in Early China: the Period of Division (Coursera) Coursera
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Religious Transformation in Early China: the Period of Division (Coursera)

This sequence of four courses will propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese cultural history conceived of as a succession of modes of rationality (philosophical, bureaucratic, and economic). The focus will be on the moments of paradigm shift from one mode of rationality to another. For each of these moments, cultural facts and artifacts—thought, literature, ritual—will be examined in relationship to changing social, political, and economic systems.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Community Awareness: Police Brutality in the U.S. (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Community Awareness: Police Brutality in the U.S. (Coursera)

The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have sparked a wave of renewed protests against police brutality across the United States. These nationwide uprisings have transformed into an intense interest from the public around understanding systemic racism and abuse of power. Millions of Americans and people around the world are watching incidents of police violence and excessive force captured on video, but are looking to learn about the inequalities at the root of these incidents. While the calls of Black Lives Matter protesters to #DefundThePolice are being heard for the first time by many Americans, they are part of a longstanding effort by communities and activists to reinvest in communities rather than policing and prisons.

Jul 27th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Intellectual Humility: Practice (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Intellectual Humility: Practice (Coursera)

We live in a polarised world where all too often people talk past each other. But do you know when to believe what others say? For example, how quick should we be to accept something that someone else tells us is true, and what should we be looking out for when assessing a person's trustworthiness? Meanwhile, what should we do when we encounter disagreements with people who seem to be our equals? How and when should we adjust our beliefs, and how does the appropriate response vary depending on the evidence? These challenges may be especially important in the arena of religious disagreements. How should we weigh the evidence for and against various theistic and atheistic stances?

Jul 27th 2026
4 Weeks
Understanding Violence (Coursera) Coursera
Emory University

Understanding Violence (Coursera)

We are so pleased to have you join us as we investigate this crucial topic. Violence is a leading cause of death, disability and health care use worldwide. Violence is a complex problem and can only be understood and reduced though a multidisciplinary approach. This course introduces you to experts who study different forms of violence and we will discuss the various causes of violence. You will also learn about efforts to reduce violence and engage in a day of compassion.

Jul 27th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Love as a Force for Social Justice (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

Love as a Force for Social Justice (Coursera)

This course will explore the concept of agape love (compassion/kindness) as a force for social justice and action and as the inspiration for service and the application of knowledge to positive social change. Biological, psychological, religious, and social perspectives of love will be discussed, drawing on the expertise of people from a variety of disciplines.

Jul 27th 2026
5-12 Weeks
After the Arab Spring – Democratic Aspirations and State Failure (Coursera) Coursera
University of Copenhagen

After the Arab Spring – Democratic Aspirations and State Failure (Coursera)

Learn why the hope and excitement of the Arab Spring is gone, why so many Arab states are falling apart, why the youth are so frustrated, why there are so many refugees, and what can be done about it. The so-called Arab Spring appeared to end decades of exceptionalism and bring the Arab world back into the mainstream of global developments. The rebellions promised the return of politics and the reassertion of popular sovereignty against their corrupt and geriatric leaders. Much hope and flowery language greeted the young men and women who deposed their leaders and tried to build new, better societies.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Indigenous Religions & Ecology (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

Indigenous Religions & Ecology (Coursera)

At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community

Jul 20th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Old Norse Mythology in the Sources (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Old Norse Mythology in the Sources (Coursera)

This course is an introduction to the religion of the Vikings as it is recorded in Old Norse and Scandinavian literature from the medieval period. You will learn about the different written sources and what they can teach us about pre-Christian religion in northern Europe in the Viking Age. The course surveys the primary collection of Old Norse poetry about the pre-Christian Scandinavian gods, the Poetic Edda. We will also work with the main collections of stories about the Old Norse gods in prose: Snorri Sturluson's Edda and Saxo's History of the Danes.

Jul 27th 2026
4 Weeks