The Master's programme in Religious Studies offers exciting opportunities for students who enjoy studying religious texts, traditions and practices and theoretical issues related to religious diversity. The programme has a strong focus on the historical roots of religious pluralism in Europe and the Mediterranean in general and on the many forms of religion that emerged within European societies. Courses are offered that relate to Jewish, Christian and Islamic texts and traditions as well as esoteric and ‘pagan’ currents
from antiquity to the present.

Specialisations

As part of the Theology and Religious Studies study programme, you choose one of two specialisations:

• Biblical Studies

The programme in Biblical Studies offers a wide range of courses, covering the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, Jewish literature from the Second Temple Period and the Early Rabbinic Period and Early Christian literature. The programme focuses on the historical and literary contexts in which the Bible took shape and the rich history of its interpretation in various times and situations, in addition to the texts themselves. Looking at the Bible from different angles in this way offers new perspectives on this ancient book.

• Religious pluralism in Europe   

This specialisation has a strong focus on the historical roots of religious pluralism in Europe and the Mediterranean in general, as well as on the many forms of religion that emerged within European societies. Its central course draws on recent research into the pluralistic dynamics of European history of religion. Special attention will be given to the interaction among religious traditions in Europe (mainly Christianity, Judaism and Islam) as well as to the reception of non-European religions since the eighteenth century. Other courses relate to Jewish, Christian and Islamic texts and traditions, as well as esoteric and ‘pagan’ currents from antiquity to the present. Students can analyse religion more in general from a particular angle.