Religious Studies (B.A.) (two subjects)

The study of religious studies provides fundamental knowledge about traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and ancient religions, but also about more recent developments such as alternative religiosity and esotericism. Processes of religious and social change, interreligious relations, religious policy, and everyday religiosity are topics covered in the program, as are the specific theoretical questions and research methods of the subject.

The broad spectrum of research topics covered in Göttingen allows students to develop and deepen their personal interests across different regions of the world, historical periods, and systematic questions. This makes them particularly well-equipped for further studies as well as a wide range of career paths.

Those who wish to study religious studies in Göttingen benefit from a unique breadth and interdisciplinary network. The subject is anchored in the theological, social science, and philosophy faculties, embedding it in an academic environment that combines historical, systematic, and empirical perspectives in a unique way. Current research ranges from ancient religious history to global historical approaches and gender and sexuality studies to regional focuses in the Mediterranean region, India, Iran, China, and Latin America. In addition, there is research on contemporary forms of religious expression such as esotericism, alternative spirituality, fundamentalism, migration, and religious contact. Collaborations, for example in the field of intercultural theology and various regional studies, as well as regular teaching assignments, expand the range of topics offered and enable an individualized, multifaceted education.

Various specializations are possible in Göttingen. It is desirable for students to combine religious studies with a language relevant to religious studies (whether ancient or modern). Those studying religious studies with a specialization must spend at least 12 AP in the area of such philological skills. However, it is also possible to focus more on the social sciences with the methods of empirical social research.

Self-evident and well-proven are subject combinations with related disciplines of cultural science: Ethnology, Cultural Anthropology, Indology, Arabic Studies /Islamic Studies and related subjects. A combination with History or German Studies and similar subjects is sensible and possible based on personal interest constellations.

As in many cultural scientific programmes, possible occupational fields depend very strongly on the selected subject combination and additional key qualifications. The programme for religious studies is strong in the area of intercultural and interreligious competences and offers good opportunitues to go into adult education or publishing, or to take on intercultural tasks. It is important to have broad knowledge in "classical" topics as well as modern topics and topics related to the present day, as well as forms of religion.