Presentation

Objectives and content

The aim of the Programme is to educate candidates with a high degree of specialisation in the overall subject of the Programme: the Religious Roots of Europe, i.e. Judaism, Christianity and Islam in their formative periods. The three religions have traditionally been studied more or less separately. Several master´s programmes exist in Christianity or Christian theology as well as in Judaism, Islam and religious studies. In contrast to these individual master´s programmes, the aspiration of the present Programme is to study the three religions together in their formative periods from a comparative perspective. Such a comprehensive study will enhance our understanding of contemporary Nordic, European and Western culture and identity, since the three religions interacting with each other have had a profound influence on the development of European culture and society. For centuries, Christianity has been the dominant majority religion; as minority religions, Judaism and Islam have been seen as the `other' against which Christian European identity has been shaped.

The three religious traditions are studied in their formative periods from a comparative perspective. Religious phenomena central to all three traditions, such as doctrines, rituals, canonical texts, myths and religious institutions are studied along with the relationship of the three religions to society, politics, law and ethics. Other topics that may be studied as part of the Programme include ideas of martyrdom, justification or condemnation of war, asceticism, religious authorities, gender issues and different strategies for interpreting authoritative religious texts - from literal to allegorical interpretative strategies. These and similar issues are studied using different approaches, including those drawn from history, anthropology, the social sciences, literature and philology.

Web site: http://religiousroots.b.uib.no/

Admission

Admission Requirements

This programme is given in Norwegian only

Study Period Abroad

Study period abroad

Student mobility is an essential and integrated part of the Programme. Travel and accommodation are financed by the students. These extra expenses will be in the order of EUR 3500 for the two years of study. The Host Institutions will endeavour to provide students with information on possibilities of obtaining financial support for travel.