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Theology and Religious Studies

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When you choose Theology and Religious Studies, you enter the rich and fascinating world of religion and faith. VU Amsterdam is known as a safe space where different religions coexist, side by side. You develop an academic view of what religion and theology mean. You are in constant dialogue with your fellow students.

Different religions under one roof: dialogical learning in an interfaith setting

In this programme, you can choose your own path. The programme consists of core courses, in-depth courses related to your profile, and electives. The core courses are taught in English and followed by all students, meaning that you study alongside students from different countries, cultures, and faiths. You will learn about the principles and practices of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. Attention is paid to historical developments, doctrines, ethics, and the shared practices and imagery of different religions. You also delve into hermeneutics and the social sciences. The courses linked to your profile familiarise you with specific disciplines.

Specialisations

Theology
Prefer to focus on the theology of the Christian tradition? Then the theological profile is for you. If you want, you can choose to follow courses within the tradition of one of the Christian seminaries, such as the Baptist seminary, the Restored Reformed seminary, the Evangelical-Reformed or the Mennonite-Anabaptist seminary. You can also opt for following an Evangelical-Reformed track within this profile.
Islam
Want to delve into the Koran and Hadith? Select Islamic profile courses.
Religious Studies
Interested in academically studying religion in historical and contemporary contexts? Do you want to specialise in Buddhism or Hinduism? Select this profile.

Read more about the content for each specialisation below. You can take this programme part-time or full-time.

This programme starts September 1^st.

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Religious Studies

In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Theories of Religion.

Islam

In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Islam.

Theology

In the first year, you take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Christian theology.

1st year
2nd year
3rd year

First year

In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Theories of Religion. You will study diverse religious traditions intensively and learn to study them comparatively. You will also work on your research skills in the Research Lab.

Subjects

English Language Test
Theories of Religion
World Religions
Research Lab: Thematical Case or Field Study
Historical Roots of Contemporary Religious Issues
History of world Philosophies
History of Christianity
Religious myths and rituals
Hinduism
Judaism
Islam

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

Second year

In the second year, you will learn religious studies and social science methodologies. Much attention is paid to understanding contemporary religion. You will select three electives from a range of options, such as Religion, Violence and Fundamentalism, History of Islam after 1800, and Religious History and Present of Low Countries and Amsterdam.

Subjects

Interreligious Hermeneutics and Diversity
Social Sciences
Psychology of Religion
Religion and Mental Health
Comparing Theologies and Philosophies of Religion
Islamic Philosophy
Anthropology of Religion
Religions, Media and Popular Culture

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

Third year

In the first semester, you follow a minor of your own choosing. In the second semester, you take the courses in interreligious relations and comparative religious ethics. You also work in the Research Lab and write your Bachelor’s thesis.

Subjects

Bachelor Thesis Theology and Religious Studies
Interreligious Relations: Mutual Perceptions and Interactions
Research Lab: Preparation Thesis
Comparative Religious Ethics
Research Lab: Exercise in Analytic Methodologies

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

1st year
First year

In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Theories of Religion. You will study diverse religious traditions intensively and learn to study them comparatively. You will also work on your research skills in the Research Lab.

Subjects
English Language Test

Theories of Religion

World Religions

Research Lab: Thematical Case or Field Study

Historical Roots of Contemporary Religious Issues

History of world Philosophies

History of Christianity

Religious myths and rituals

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide
2nd year
Second year

In the second year, you will learn religious studies and social science methodologies. Much attention is paid to understanding contemporary religion. You will select three electives from a range of options, such as Religion, Violence and Fundamentalism, History of Islam after 1800, and Religious History and Present of Low Countries and Amsterdam.

Subjects
Interreligious Hermeneutics and Diversity

Social Sciences

Psychology of Religion

Religion and Mental Health

Comparing Theologies and Philosophies of Religion

Islamic Philosophy

Anthropology of Religion

Religions, Media and Popular Culture

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide
3rd year
Third year

In the first semester, you follow a minor of your own choosing. In the second semester, you take the courses in interreligious relations and comparative religious ethics. You also work in the Research Lab and write your Bachelor’s thesis.

Subjects
Bachelor Thesis Theology and Religious Studies

Interreligious Relations: Mutual Perceptions and Interactions

Research Lab: Preparation Thesis

Comparative Religious Ethics

Research Lab: Exercise in Analytic Methodologies

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

1st year
2nd year
3rd year

First year

In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Islam. You will take courses such as Introduction to the Quran and Sunnah, History of Islam before 1800, and Islamic Philosophy. Other courses include World Religions, Christianity, and Judaism. You will also work on your research skills in the Research Lab. This profile is bilingual (Dutch and English).

Subjects

Introduction Qur'an and Sunna
Taaltoets NL
World Religions
Research Lab: Thematical Case or Field Study
Historical Roots of Contemporary Religious Issues
History of World Philosophies
Christianity
History of Islam Before 1800
Islamic Philosophy
Judaism
Religions, the Media, and Popular Culture

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

Second year

In the second year you will study Arabic Tajwid (Quran Recitation). You will study the sources of Islamic law and exegesis (Usul al Fiqh ‘Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence,’ Usul al-Tafsir ‘Exegesis of the Quran’); other courses include (Inter)Religious Hermeneutics and Diversity, and Social Sciences.

Subjects

Arabic I, II, III and IV
Interreligious Hermeneutics and Diversity
Social Sciences
Comparing Theologies and Philosophies of Religion
Usulu 'l-Fiqh
Usulu 't-Tafsir I
Quran Recitation

You find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

Third year

In the final year, you will follow the Islam minor. Courses include Islam and European Culture, Hadith Studies, Islamic Ethics, Usul al Fiqh ‘Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence,’ Usul al-Tafsir ‘Exegesis of the Quran’ II, Kalām (Islamic Theology), and History of Islam after 1800. You will also take a course on Hinduism. Additionally, you will work in the Research Lab and write your bachelor’s thesis.

Subjects

Bachelor Thesis Theology and Religious Studies
Islam and European Culture
Usulu 't-Tafsir II
Islamic Theology/Kalam
Hadith Studies
Islamic Theology/Kalam
Islamic Ethics
History of Islam after 1800
Research Lab: Preparation Thesis
Hinduism
Research Lab: Exercise in Analytic Methodologies

You find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

1st year
First year

In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Islam. You will take courses such as Introduction to the Quran and Sunnah, History of Islam before 1800, and Islamic Philosophy. Other courses include World Religions, Christianity, and Judaism. You will also work on your research skills in the Research Lab. This profile is bilingual (Dutch and English).

Subjects
Introduction Qur'an and Sunna

Taaltoets NL

World Religions

Research Lab: Thematical Case or Field Study

Historical Roots of Contemporary Religious Issues

History of World Philosophies

Christianity

History of Islam Before 1800

Islamic Philosophy

Judaism

Religions, the Media, and Popular Culture

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide
2nd year
Second year

In the second year you will study Arabic Tajwid (Quran Recitation). You will study the sources of Islamic law and exegesis (Usul al Fiqh ‘Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence,’ Usul al-Tafsir ‘Exegesis of the Quran’); other courses include (Inter)Religious Hermeneutics and Diversity, and Social Sciences.

Subjects
Arabic I, II, III and IV

Interreligious Hermeneutics and Diversity

Social Sciences

Comparing Theologies and Philosophies of Religion

Usulu 'l-Fiqh

Usulu 't-Tafsir I

Quran Recitation

You find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide
3rd year
Third year

In the final year, you will follow the Islam minor. Courses include Islam and European Culture, Hadith Studies, Islamic Ethics, Usul al Fiqh ‘Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence,’ Usul al-Tafsir ‘Exegesis of the Quran’ II, Kalām (Islamic Theology), and History of Islam after 1800. You will also take a course on Hinduism. Additionally, you will work in the Research Lab and write your bachelor’s thesis.

Subjects
Bachelor Thesis Theology and Religious Studies

Islam and European Culture

Usulu 't-Tafsir II

Islamic Theology/Kalam

Hadith Studies

Islamic Theology/Kalam

Islamic Ethics

History of Islam after 1800

Research Lab: Preparation Thesis

Hinduism

Research Lab: Exercise in Analytic Methodologies

You find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

1st year
2nd year
3rd year

First year

In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Christian theology. You will learn Hebrew and focus on Biblical Theology and Old Testament. In addition, you will learn about world religions, philosophy, and the historical roots of contemporary issues.

Subjects

Christian Theology and Religion
English Language Test
World Religions
Research Lab: Thematical Case or Field Study
Historical roots of contemporary religious issues
History of world philosophies
Hebrew I + Old Testament
History of Christianity
Dogmatics
Hebrew II + Old Testament
Hebrew III
Introduction to the Testament

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

Second year

In the second year, there are three modules on Greek and New Testament. You will develop exegetical skills and take courses on Practical Theology and Dogmatics, next to courses such as (inter)religious hermeneutics and social sciences. If so desired, you can study the contested history of religions in Amsterdam. You can also take tradition-specific courses.

Subjects

Greek I + New Testament
Interreligious Hermeneutics and Diversity
Greek II + New Testament
Social Sciences
Greek III
Introduction to the New Testament
Comparing Theologies and Philosophies of Religion
Exegesis New Testament
Practical Theology
Religious History and Present of Low Countries and Amsterdam
Ethics

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

Third year

In the third year, you will select a minor, write your bachelor’s thesis and work in the Research Lab. You will also take Exegesis at an advanced level.

Subjects

Bachelor Thesis Theology and Religious Studies
Exegesis Old Testament
Research Lab: Preparation Thesis
Contemporary Theology
Research Lab: Exercise in Analytic Methodologies

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

1st year
First year

In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Christian theology. You will learn Hebrew and focus on Biblical Theology and Old Testament. In addition, you will learn about world religions, philosophy, and the historical roots of contemporary issues.

Subjects
Christian Theology and Religion

English Language Test

World Religions

Research Lab: Thematical Case or Field Study

Historical roots of contemporary religious issues

History of world philosophies

Hebrew I + Old Testament

History of Christianity

Dogmatics

Hebrew II + Old Testament

Hebrew III

Introduction to the Testament

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide
2nd year
Second year

In the second year, there are three modules on Greek and New Testament. You will develop exegetical skills and take courses on Practical Theology and Dogmatics, next to courses such as (inter)religious hermeneutics and social sciences. If so desired, you can study the contested history of religions in Amsterdam. You can also take tradition-specific courses.

Subjects
Greek I + New Testament

Interreligious Hermeneutics and Diversity

Greek II + New Testament

Social Sciences

Greek III

Introduction to the New Testament

Comparing Theologies and Philosophies of Religion

Exegesis New Testament

Practical Theology

Religious History and Present of Low Countries and Amsterdam

Ethics

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide
3rd year
Third year

In the third year, you will select a minor, write your bachelor’s thesis and work in the Research Lab. You will also take Exegesis at an advanced level.

Subjects
Bachelor Thesis Theology and Religious Studies

Exegesis Old Testament

Research Lab: Preparation Thesis

Contemporary Theology

Research Lab: Exercise in Analytic Methodologies

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the Study Guide

In Theology and Religious Studies, you develop an academic vision of what religion and theology mean. You are in constant dialogue with your fellow students. You retain your own individuality, while also looking beyond the borders of your own religion. You are encouraged to go abroad during your studies, and to get involved in the international research of your lecturers. To prepare you for your later work in international field, many courses are taught in English—after all, the future of theology and religious studies is global.

The programme gives you a wide-ranging perspective on world events and trains you to listen without judgement. With your broad, international Bachelor’s degree, you could work as a consultant, journalist or pioneer in a religious community. Alternatively, you can opt for one of our Master’s programmes.

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Theology and Religious Studies

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Change your future with the Theology and Religious Studies programme

Change your future with the Theology and Religious Studies programme