Dr. Johannes Smit, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa
E-mail: SmitJ@ukzn.ac.za
The Religion and Social Transformation
Research Niche Area
Johannes A. Smit, School of Religion and Theology, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Initiated in 2002, the Durban site of the School of Religion and Theology has worked towards the establishing of a Research Niche Area, called Religion and Social Transformation. The niche area has four research programs, in which staff and students may register their particular research topics, namely 1) Religion and Civil Society; 2) Religion and Counseling; 3) Religion, Globalization and Poverty; and 4) the Southern African Religion and Culture Encyclopedia. On the one hand, these programs function as areas that provide scope and possibilities for new research and production of knowledge that is decidedly different from previous focuses mainly determined by Theological and traditional Science of Religion agendas. The main difference is that the programs and the different research topics all have a contextual focus, as well as have to include critical reflection on ‘social transformation’. On the other hand the programs function as administrative units through which staff and students may apply for research funding and scholarships.
In this paper, I briefly highlight some of the thinking that has gone into the establishing of the Niche Area, sharing perspectives that may be significant for other similar programs.
2 The Niche Area’s focus
Here, I provide a brief description of our understandings of ‘religion’, ‘social’, and ‘transformation’.
3 Background and Current Relevance
This treats the phenomenon of religion, the roles of religion(s) in civil society, and the challenges religions face in post-apartheid South Africa.
4 Situation Assessment and Challenges
This section briefly overviews the legacy of ‘social underdevelopment’, and the ‘critical-analytical’ as well as ‘(re)constructive’ roles Religion as discipline and social formation(s) could play in ‘social transformation’.
5 Scope
The scope assesses the limitations and potential for research of each of the programs.
6 Rationale and Motivation: The Niche Area
The main point is that the Niche Area if interventionist in nature, impacting on a variety of social levels and civil society systems.
7 Rationale and Motivation: The Programs
The central rationale(s) and motivation(s) for each of the programs are provided.