Theologisches Seminar Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology
Religious Studies
Religious Studies examines religions worldwide from a critical cultural studies perspective. It inquires current ideas and practices, their history and mutual impacts. The focus is on contemporary and global religious studies, which includes the regional and philological expertise as well as the Study of Christianity explicitly.
Interkulturelle Theologie
Intercultural Theology reflects historically and systematically the interactions between Christianity and non-Christian Religions as well as the subsequent transformation processes of Christianity in various cultural contexts. Intercultural Theology works basically at the intersection of various scientific and religious fields. Therefore, Intercultural Theology is also a mediating discipline: linguistically, culturally and theologically. Intercultural Theology can only be conducted in an interdisciplinary manner with specialized expertise in religious studies, which is not theological in itself but constitutes a precondition for intercultural-theological reflection.
The current religious plurality and polarization oblige theology to address a wide range of questions and to explore them from the perspectives of Religious Studies and Intercultural Theologicy.
Program
Key components of the program in Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology at the Faculty of Theology include: Central theoretical problems and methodical issues in Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology; basic knowledge of the history of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Chinese Religions as well as elementary knowledge of New Religious Movements and Esotericism; fundamental questions and central outlines of Intercultural Theology, basic knowledge of key issues in the history of theology and Christianity in Asia, Africa and Latin America; main questions and central concepts of theology and hermeneutics of interreligious relations.
Competencies
During their Studies in Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology, students develop the ability navigate an increasingly pluralistic and globalized society. They learn to critically reflect on their own cultural and religious context, to analyze theological contextualizations, and to explore forms of religion and theology from a global perspective. To this end, they acquire methodical and theoretical tools to independently examine and classify contemporary religious phenomena. And– where needed – they gain regional and linguistic expertise to understand religious traditions from their primary sources and within their respective contexts. They develop intercultural and interreligious sensitivity, acquire profound knowledge of the theory of religions, non-Christian religions, and the cultural diversity of Christianity. Students are equipped to argue from a Christian-theological perspective while remaining open to dialogue with other religions and worldviews. They practice translating between academic disciplines as well as between religious traditions from linguistic, cultural and theological perspectives. And they are able to endure religious and ideological diversity and engage in objective dialogue even regarding competing claims to truth and validity.
Networks and University Locations abroad
Network Intercultural Theology. Fostering dialogue – Empowering Early-Career Scholars.
Students who are interested in study visits in Asia, Africa or Latin America,
please contact Michael Bergunder / Claudia Hoffmann:
Michael.Bergunder@ts.uni-heidelberg.de / claudia.hoffmann@ts.uni-heidelberg.de.
There are opportunities to study one or two semesters at a large number of universities.