Theology & Religious Studies

What if you could see the world from different perspectives? What can we learn from cultural differences? How can these insights contribute to understanding local, regional and global challenges?

In a world of religious and cultural diversity, understanding cultural differences is key to addressing challenges like migration and climate change. This MA equips you with the skills to explore specific lifeworlds across various contexts in order to gain a thorough understanding of the role of religion and culture in different societies.

This MA in the anthropology of religion is unique in the Netherlands, and is characterised by its holistic, comparative and ethnographic approach. Holistic because it investigates themes as they are embedded within the totality of local lifeworlds, for example in the topics of food, sexuality and religion. Comparative research helps in understanding differences and similarities, and through ethnographic research you get a deep insight into the complex worlds of the people living them. It gives you a better understanding of the other, as well as of yourself. The ethnographic hands-on experience is an integral part of the programme. The MA also critically reflects on the 'traditional' anthropological method itself (i.e. from 'global north' to 'global south').

Anthropology challenges you by making the strange familiar, and the familiar strange.

How are religion, conflict and peace related? How does globalization affect local religious traditions? How do religious and secular parties interact in debates on conflict, migration and gender?

Religion is involved in many of the major conflicts that the world is currently facing, and at various levels. At the same time, religion is also an essential part of people's lives, and has become an important basis for solidarity between people all over the world.Despite the importance of religion in society and politics, NGOs, governments and journalists alike often have misguided understandings of the role of religion in the modern world, and the meaning that it holds for various peoples, relying on simplistic and outdated assumptions. This can contribute to disagreements, tensions and misunderstandings, with potentially serious consequences.Within this MA-track, you will study the key role of religion in the dynamics of globalization, and how this relates to conflicts shaping contemporary societies. You will delve into understanding how conflicts and peacebuilding are intertwined with religious interests, practices and diverse identities. The programme is interdisciplinary and comprehensive; including political, social, psychological, cultural and legal dimensions.During the programme, you can specialise in themes such as conflict and peacebuilding, migration and gender.

Since time immemorial, there has been a tension between 'us' and 'them'. Which role did in- and exclusion play in antiquity? What are the boundaries of tolerance in societies, in past and present?

In Europe, this tension is strongly felt in relations between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Partly due to present migration from Islamic countries, questions of political identity and 'belonging' are still strongly linked to religious persuasion. This MA-track focuses on the (internal) diversity, existence and coexistence of the three major monotheistic religions, and how these relationships have shaped our contemporary societies. You will explore the impact of religious diversity on social identity formation in the Graeco-Roman and late antique periods, and analyse the role of tolerance and acceptance, of rejection and exclusion in their mutual relationships during the last two millennia.You will focus on a historical and philological analysis of the textual sources documenting the contacts among these religious traditions, by approaching them from different angles and with diverse methods: archaeology, codicology, paleography, epigraphy, textual analysis and interpretation.This track is unique due to both the interdisciplinary study of ancient Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, and the possibility of combining with a modern specialization (see programme below).

How can museums deal with collections from colonial pasts? What is the significance of religious heritage in a secular society? And how is heritage be used by minorities to protect their traditions?

Heritage has become a significant topic in contemporary debates. In the coming years, many religious buildings will lose their original function. National and European budgets are dedicating millions of euros to the development of plans to address religious heritage buildings, and their re-use. Tourism and pilgrimage to religious objects, sites, and festivals are booming, which raises questions about sustainability and impact. At the same time, large-scale migration and secularization are changing the religious identities of communities, and the way they perceive the past. The demands of preservation of at risk material and immaterial heritage in the face of war, displacement, population shifts, and climate change are great. How are preservation concerns balanced with available resources, and conflicting interests? This is a unique interdisciplinary track at the interface of religion, identity, history, politics, and heritage studies. It challenges you to contribute your own voice and position to these debates. And during your placement, you will be able to apply your critical and analytical skills to current challenges and developments facing the heritage sector nowadays.