Information Package / Course Catalogue
New Religious Movements in the West
Course Code: İL349
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

Acquire the ability to identify new religious movements by their origins and defining characteristics, to analyze their impacts and functions, and, on this basis, to evaluate analogous formations.

Course Content

Reasons for the emergence and core characteristics of New Religious Movements: Their societal impacts and activities

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Acquire knowledge of the nature of new religious movements that have emerged worldwide over the past two centuries, particularly in the Western world.
2.Develop the ability to analyze the factors driving the emergence of new religious movements.
3.Gain competence in comparing new religious movements with established, institutionalized religions.
4.Recognize and assess the societal impacts of new religious movements.
5.Identify and evaluate the specific effects of new religious movements on Turkish society.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Süleyman Turan, Emine Battal (eds.), Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements, Okur Akademi, Istanbul 2020.
2.Ali Köse, Millennium Cults: New Religious Movements in the West, Istanbul 2006.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The Concept of “New Religious Movement” and the Movements Included in the Concept
Week 1 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 2 - Theoretical
Diversity in Contemporary New Religious Movements
Week 2 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 3 - Theoretical
Main Characteristics of New Religious Movements
Week 3 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 4 - Theoretical
Ufo Cults
Week 4 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 5 - Theoretical
Community of God
Week 5 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 6 - Theoretical
Charismatic Movement
Week 6 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 7 - Theoretical
Satanism
Week 7 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 8 - Theoretical
Reflections of New Religious Movements in Turkey
Week 8 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 9 - Theoretical
Mormons
Week 9 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 10 - Theoretical
Neo-Paganism
Week 10 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 11 - Theoretical
Hare Krishna Movement
Week 11 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 12 - Theoretical
Opus Dei, the Quakers
Week 12 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 13 - Theoretical
Jehovah's Witnesses
Week 13 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Week 14 - Theoretical
Overall Assessment
Week 14 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet, and Literature Review
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Verbal Examination1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory144284
Assignment1224
Seminar2228
Midterm Examination1224
Final Examination1224
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)104
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
PÇ-17
PÇ-18
PÇ-19
PÇ-20
OÇ-1
3
3
3
5
4
3
3
4
OÇ-2
3
3
3
5
4
3
3
4
OÇ-3
3
3
3
5
4
3
3
4
OÇ-4
3
4
3
5
4
3
3
4
OÇ-5
3
4
3
5
4
3
3
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026