Master in Religious Studies

The MA in Religious Studies at the Center for Religious Studies (CERES) approaches religion as a social fact rather than a theological question. The programme examines the rituals, communities, ideas, materials, and political dimensions that constitute religions, using methods drawn from history, philology, sociology, anthropology, psychology, art history, political science, and economics. Students are not expected to share or evaluate religious convictions; the goal is a social-scientific understanding of how religious belief and practice operate in human societies across past and present. The programme runs for four semesters and can be taken as a one-major or a two-major degree. Most international students choose the one-major option, as the second major is often offered only in German. Coursework is organised across four areas: theories, comparison, and methods in the study of religion; history of religion; applied study of religion; and complementary courses. Students are expected to have background knowledge in theories and methods in the study of religion as well as in the history of at least one religious tradition. Because students specialise in a particular religion and region, practical knowledge of a relevant source language is strongly advisable. The programme accepts students in both the winter and summer semesters. It is offered by Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Bochum, Germany.