M.A. in the Study of Religion and Culture
- Overview
- What is the Study of Religion and Culture?
- Employment Opportunities
- M.A. in the Study of Religion and Culture at the LMU
- Focus Areas in Munich
- Overview of the Degree Program
- Exchange Visits Abroad
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Academic Counselling
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Overview
| Name of degree programme | Master's degree programme in the Study of Religion and Culture |
| Title | Master of Arts, M.A. |
| Type of degree | Research-oriented, non-consecutive mono master's degree |
| Begin | Winter semester |
| Admission requirements | First university degree, interview |
| Deadline for submitting applications | 15th July (for the following winter semester) |
| Standard period of study | Four semesters |
| Languages used in teaching | German / English |
What is the Study of Religion and Culture?
The Study of Religion and Culture investigates religious traditions, conceptions and action patterns in their cultural context, in close cooperation with other disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and cultural studies. In addition to the well known religions, it is also interested in the emergence and evolution of 'worldviews' and orientation patterns. In order to determine their role in history and culture, the Study of Religion and Culture combines specialised knowledge of religions and cultures with a broad range of methodological perspectives.
The interdisciplinary conception breaks up established boundaries in favour of a comprehensive approach that integrates specialised knowledge from many different disciplines relating to the larger framework of ‘religion’ and ‘culture’. This presupposes a broad range of methodologies, interdisciplinary cooperation, reflection on the historical impact of the discipline on society, consideration and refinement of terms and descriptive methods, and strict separation between the objects of 'religion' and the objects of the Study of Religion and Culture.
These are the premises of the Chair of Theory and Methodology. Permanent cooperation agreements with Philosophy and Theology guarantee that the historical and empirical orientation of the Study of Religion is characterised by a unique breadth.
In Munich, the interdisciplinary nature of the Study of Religion is also reflected in the way it is anchored institutionally: it is associated with two Chairs (Faculty of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and the Study of Religion, and Faculty of Protestant Theology).
Employment Opportunities
With an M.A. in the Study of Religion and Culture many employment opportunities will be open to you.
During your degree programme you will learn to investigate and describe the interconnectedness of religions and culture(s), and the significance of this in politics, society and the media. In doing so you will acquire a high level of (inter-)cultural competence.
Graduates in the Study of Religion and Culture are therefore well qualified to respond to the need for analysis, consultancy and education with regard to the role of religion in political and social conflicts.
The turn towards non-confessional teaching of religions and worldviews in schools has opened up new fields of employment for graduates in Religious Studies.
Due to the wide-ranging nature of the programme, graduates with an M.A. in the Study of Religion and Culture find employment in many different settings, including:
- intercultural counselling and consultation
- international firms
- international organisations
- government offices (e.g. integration departments)
- the media/journalism
- cultural management
- training and professional education, adult education
- publishers
- museums
- university teaching and research (academic career)
M.A. in the Study of Religion and Culture at the LMU
The master's degree in Religious and Cultural Studies is a non-consecutive mono master's degree. This means that a previous degree in the study of religion is not a prerequisite. Applicants with no prior knowledge of the study of religion will be invited to an interview.
Graduates with a bachelor's degree in the study of religion who have achieved at least grade 2.5 will be admitted to the programme without an interview. The M.A. programme will enable them to extend and deepen their basic knowledge and skills. In addition they may learn a language that will enable them to read relevant source materials and complement their knowledge in their chosen areas of specialisation, or they may decide to reorient their special interests. The M.A. programme is research-oriented and thus suitable for students who are considering taking a Ph.D. later on. At the LMU, more so than at other universities offering programmes in the study of religion, the focus is on competence in cultural studies, methodological reflection, and epistemology.
Focus Areas in Munich
The Study of Religion and Culture at the LMU, Munich, is distinguished by its cultural focus and its methodological openness and reflection. Its focus areas include:
- Transcultural comparison
- Interdisciplinary approaches
- Aesthetics and economics of religion
- Gender studies
- Language pool with over 20 languages
- Research training
Overview of the Degree Program
|
Semester |
Modules |
ECTS- |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
P 1 Foundations in the Study of Religion and Culture A |
12 |
|
2 |
P 3 Foundations in the Study of Religion and Culture B |
12 |
|
3 |
P 6 Research Colloquium |
12 |
|
4 |
P 9 Concluding Module (Master's thesis and Disputation) |
30 |
|
Total |
120 |
Exchange Visits Abroad
ERASMUS Partnership
The ERASMUS programme, which was established by the EU in 1987 in order to encourage the mobility of students within Europe, also offers opportunities to study outside Germany.
For further information, please contact the curriculum advisor or the LMU central Erasmus Coordination office:
http://www.uni-muenchen.de/studium/studium_int/auslandsstudium/austausch/erasmus/index.html
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for the master's degree programme are:
- a first university degree
- successful interview
Students who already hold a degree in the study of religion (with at least grade 2.5) will not be required to come for an interview.
Students who have not yet completed their bachelor's degree may be granted provisional admission. They will need to submit a "Transcript of Records" or comparable document.
The LMU specifies additional requirements for admission and enrollment of international students. Please note that proficiency in German is compulsory and a sound knowledge of English is also required. Courses will be taught either in German or English.
For more information please check the LMU International Office website:
https://www.lmu.de/en/study/degree-students/index.html
How to Apply
Applications to take part in the selection procedure for the following winter semester must be submitted by 15th July.
The following documents must be submitted: a completed application form, a tabular CV, a copy of your first degree certificate, and a letter of motivation. A letter of motivation is an essay (1-2 pages) in which you should explain your interests and aptitudes concerning the M.A. programme Study of Religion and Culture. You should also describe in detail what you have learned and achieved during your first degree course.
Please send your application to:
Interfakultärer Studiengang Religionswissenschaft, Program Coordinator, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 München, Germany.
After receiving a letter of acceptance from the M.A. Program, German citizens and international students that are pursuing or have completed a Bachelor's degree at a German university are required to register at LMU according to registration proceedure prescribed here:
https://www.lmu.de/en/study/abc-guide-for-prospective-students/registration/index.html
International students with foreign education need to apply additionally at the International Office until 15th July of the respective intake year. A helpful guide through the application and registration process is the available here:
https://www.lmu.de/en/study/degree-students/applications-for-admission/guidelines-and-faqs/guide-to-applying-for-a-masters-degree/index.html
Please make sure you fulfill the additional formal requirements of the International Office and meet the respective deadlines! Otherwise you might not receive admission.
Academic Counselling
If you have any questions relating to the M.A. in the Study of Religion and Culture, please contact the curriculum advisor!