Post-colonial states in the Southeast Asian region have been described as being strongly oriented towards the future, prioritizing modernization and development. In recent years however, the past seems to have taken on a renewed relevance. This intensive two-week course brings experts from Berlin, Penang and Yogyakarta together to discuss memory and its transmission as a social, cultural and political phenomenon.
Comment: The concept of religion is a complex term inextricably tied to similarly complex notions of identity, nationality and migration. Recent research has sought a deeper understanding of those urban settings where different faith and migrant communities cohabit. Thus, the study of religion in the city requires an open, creative and participatory approach in order to gain a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of faith in urban space. In recent years, the social sciences have adopted new creative approaches to researching religion in the city. This includes socially engaged arts practices using a range of disciplines such as drawing, photography, film-making, music, performance, installation, etc.
