Institute for the Science of Religion

Subject Matters

Bachelor Major and Minor (60 ECTS) Science of Religion

The Bachelor of Arts in Science of Religion takes six semesters and requires 120 credits. The program will be completed with the Bachelor paper in the sixth semester. The study course consists of two major study-focuses:

  • The field-specific introduction covers an introduction to the Science of Religion and the basics of the Systematic Study of Religion and the History of Religion.
  • The empirical training is the specialised focus on one religious tradition (marking the empirical emphasis); it is comprised of courses in anthropology, religious, social and cultural history of the selected empirical area, as well as a corresponding study of language.

Furthermore, the course of study includes a choice of electives, which is satisfied by two course selections offered within the university-wide course offerings.

The Bachelor Minor Science of Religion (60 ECTS) takes six semesters and requires 60 credits. It is comprised of the same study focuses as the major study programme.

Bachelor Minor Science of Religion (30 ECTS)

This degree programme for students of other faculties requires 30 credits. Its content covers two major study-focuses:

  • The History of Religion, covering at least two of the major global religious traditions.
  • The Systematic Study of Religion, comprising courses in the methodology of Science of Religion and relevant matters of religious method and theory.

For more information and details consult the study plan

Bachelor Minor Central Asian Studies (60 ECTS)

This degree takes six semesters and requires 60 credits, and comprises two major study focuses:

  • The field-specific instruction covers the study of anthropology, and the cultural, religious and social history of Central Asia.
  • The language degree course covers introductory language courses in classical Tibetan or in the Uigur-mongolian written language as well as guided readings (lecture courses) of the selected language.
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For more detailed information consult the study plan.

Master Major and Minor Science of Religion

The Master of Arts in Science of Religion takes four semesters and requires 90 credits. The programme is capped with a Master’s dissertation in the fourth semester. The study content offers in-depth training in the discipline and comprises two major study-focuses:

  • The field-specific instruction covers courses in the Systematic Study of Religion, including current questions. It further includes courses in the philosophical and/or history of science aspects offered by the Department of Philosophy and it comprises a research workshop in the Master phase to present and discuss the student’s dissertation.
  • The empirical training in the research focus, chosen during the BA study program, comprises courses on current discipline-specific scholarly topics and questions, involving primary sources and guided readings in the language of the empirical focus.

The Master Minor Science of Religion programme takes four semesters and requires 30 credits. It offers an advanced discipline-specific training and contains two major studies:

  • Discipline-specific training contains courses on method and theory, when current questions are dealt with pertaining to the Systematic Study of Religion.
  • Empirical training in the research-focus, chosen during the BA study programme, contains a course each on current discipline-specific scholarly topics. This involves primary sources and guided readings in the language of the empirical focus.

For more information and details consult the study plan

Master Major and Minor Central Asian Studies

The Master of Arts in Central Asian Studies takes four semesters and requires 90 credits. The programme is completed with a Master’s dissertation in the fourth semester. The study programme offers deepened discipline-specific training and consists of the two following main focuses:

  • Discipline-specific training includes courses on theory and methodology, with a focus on relevant contemporary topics; courses related to specialised topics in regional studies include a research workshop in the Master phase, when the student’s scientific paper (Master’s dissertation) is presented and discussed.
  • The language degree course covers two languages, one of which is newly selected. The language courses cover language training alongside courses in specialised topics in regional studies with reference to primary sources.

The Master Minor in Central Asian Studies takes four semesters and requires 30 credits, cumulatively. This study programme deepens discipline-specific training and consists of two major study-focuses:

  • Discipline-specific training includes courses on theory and method, with a focus on relevant contemporary topics; and courses related to a specialised topic in regional studies
  • The language degree course covers two languages, one of which is newly selected. The language courses cover language training alongside courses in specialised topics in regional studies with reference to primary sources.

For more information and details consult the study plan (pdf, 739 KB).