Double MA Degree on the Religious Origins of Modern Society at University of Groningen (UG) and Córdoba University (UCO): Identity, Exclusion, Integration, and Coexistence from Antiquity to Modernity.
The religious origins of modern society are richly diverse. Over centuries, Greco-Roman religion, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam actively contributed to the construction of modern culture, attitude and character. This DD MA delves into the history of these four religious traditions’ coexistence.
UG focuses on Judaism and Christianity in the Greco-Roman World, and the rise of Islam in (late) antiquity. The historical and philological analysis of their testimonies highlights the difficult first contacts, the lapses and relapses of their relationships and the resulting construction of the self and the other.
UCO explores the cultural contacts among them during the Middle Ages and beyond, their cohabitation in the Iberian Peninsula, and the tensions and eases of their coexistence. Most importantly, it analyzes the role of Judaism and Islam in the absorption and transformation of ancient knowledge, and its transfer to the Christian West, hereby contributing to the early modern and contemporary world.
The DD MA includes two programmes:
Read moreOne of my interests in religions is how they help in the formation of identities
I chose the program at the University of Groningen for two reasons: The historical and social approach that the program has (other universities have a more theological approach), and the opportunity of studying the three monotheistic religions (other programs are focused on Christianity or Islam). Also, I like the courses on texts studies.
My master’s thesis is about the split between Jews and Samaritans. Both religious communities share several beliefs, texts, practices, origins, and yet they are not the same. I chose this topic because one of my interests in religions is how they help in the formation of identities. For my internship, I will work at a historical research agency concentrating on museum design and exhibitions. They are currently working on the exhibition at the Jewish Museum in Groningen, and I will help with research. I will be a comparative study on several Jewish museums based in synagogues and how the religious aspect of the building might influence its use for cultural activities.
I did my bachelor's in History at the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico City, and besides the cultural shock and the evident differences regarding the weather, living in Groningen has been a marvelous experience. The international environment in such a small city and its student essence makes studying at Groningen a great experience.
After graduation, I would like to do research and teach at a university. The field of Religious Studies in Mexico is far from being developed and accepted at the universities. I want to help this to change. Also, as a former worker at a Research and Documentary Center of the Jewish Community, which also organizes cultural events, I want to collaborate on the planning of courses and activities for promoting an inter-religious society.
Read moreBoth programmes complemented each other well
After finishing my Bachelor's in Cultural Management at the University of Córdoba (Spain), I wanted to do a master's, but I was unsure which one. I found out about the Double Degree Programme in Religion and Pluralism thanks to the suggestion of my thesis tutor and, after looking at the programme, I decided to choose this one.
Contentwise, there are differences between studying in Groningen and In Córdoba . In Córdoba you mostly learn about culture itself. How the societies lived, some customs and the legacy these cultures left us. In Groningen the programme is more focused on the sources themselves. So both programmes complemented each other well.
I wrote my thesis about Roger Bacon's defense of Astrology against religion. In the course unit we had related to medieval philosophy, I wrote an essay about necromancy in the Middle Ages, which I found surprisingly interesting. I then asked that professor to be my tutor and whether it was possible to do my thesis on a matter related to Astrology. So that's what I ended up doing.
I did my internship at the Synagoge in Groningen. There, I wrote some blog articles after doing research, helped with the promotion of some events, and aided in the presentation of an exhibition of paintings. I also organized my own Jewish poetry event, which was a great experience.
Currently, I am studying to take an exam and become a museum curator. It was an option I never thought of before and this programme aided me to consider it .
If you do not have a bachelor's degree in either the Humanities or Behavioural and Social Sciences, you will first need to complete a pre-master's programme before you can enter this master's programme. There are several electives you can choose from. Below, you will find the complete programme.
1st semester (30 ECTS)
2nd semester (30 ECTS)
Students without a bachelor's degree in Arts Humanities or Behavioural and Social Sciences may be exempted from the requirement to complete a pre-master's programme first under certain conditions.
For the pre-master's programme, you will pay a so called compensation in stead of regular tuition fees. This compensation is the same for both EU and non-EU students.
