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Program Overview

The Religious Studies and Theology program is a digital, interdisciplinary Mono BA Program that examines religion in all its manifestations, past and present. The program is delivered fully online, with all modules, assessments, and examinations completed entirely online and from any location, without having to travel to Zurich. The program's language of tuition is English, and applicants must have a very good command of English (level C1) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Program Structure

The program consists of nine core modules and additional modules that candidates may choose depending on their interests. This allows for a more intensive focus on Religious Studies or on Theology, tailored to the candidate's profile. All candidates will take core training, which includes courses on fundamental theoretical frames in the concerned disciplines, religious traditions, history of Christianity, biblical canons, religious practices, ethics, hermeneutics, and philosophy of religion, or the impact of digital transformation on religion.

Key Modules

• Introduction: An introductory overview of the different approaches and sub-disciplines in religious studies and theology, as well as an introduction to scientific methods as a practical exercise.
• Approaches to the Study of Religion: This module group teaches academic positions that are central to the study of religion, introducing fundamental theories and approaches relevant to the current academic debate.
• Religious Traditions: The bachelor's program includes modules on various religious traditions such as Islam, Buddhism/Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and alternative religions.
• Biblical Traditions: Students learn about the various forms of the Biblical canons, the main parts of the Hebrew Bible, selected traditions, and the New Testament.
• Christian Practices: This module group focuses on religiosity currently practiced in Christian communities, adopting a global perspective.
• Ethics and Religion: Ethics is also a subject of the degree program, introducing different ethical approaches and their relationship to religious values, discussing applied ethical problems based on selected questions.
• (Interreligious) Hermeneutics and Philosophy of Religions: Understanding religions requires sensitive reflections on one's hermeneutical presupposition and the possibility of understanding the Other, dealing with different models of understanding which can be helpful in religious and interreligious contexts.
• Digital Religion(s) Digital Theology(s): Digitalization also affects religious practices, exploring the effects digital transformation has on religious practices.
• Social Scientific Study of Religion: Within the social scientific study of religion, modules deal with religious practices of different traditions in the present, preparing students for their research.
• History of Christianity During the Ages: These modules deal with the history of Christianity, learning about different epochs and their distinctive features in the courses.

Career Opportunities

Pursuing interdisciplinary studies in religious studies and theology will expose students to diverse traditions of thought and refine their critical thinking. This program provides students with the ability to think in a structured, interconnected way and convey complex issues to a wide audience. The communication, analytical, and methodological skills trained in the program are highly sought after in the current job market. Some professions that graduates of this program may aim for include journalism, publishing, consultancy (education, culture), or mediation. It is also possible to continue pursuing an academic career with one's own research project in Theology, Religious Studies, or a related field.

Program Details

• The program is composed of nine core modules and other additional modules which the candidates may choose depending on their interests.
• All candidates will take core training, which includes courses on fundamental theoretical frames in the concerned disciplines, religious traditions, history of Christianity, biblical canons, religious practices, ethics, hermeneutics, and philosophy of religion, or the impact of digital transformation on religion.
• In addition, students will acquire and/or improve analytical skills and academic reading and writing techniques to develop their own research project.
• The study program consists of various compulsory modules, and students can also choose their specializations, such as studying with a focus on religious studies or theology.
• Students will conduct their research in term papers and the bachelor's thesis.