Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's Program in Christianity and Culture

The Master's degree program in Christianity and Culture focuses on the origin and current state of Christianity as a cultural phenomenon. This program covers theoretical and empirically-founded aspects of the subject, offering students the opportunity to develop a specialism of their choice.

Facts and Formalities

• Degree: Master of Arts
• Type of program: Consecutive
• Start of program: Winter and summer semester
• Standard period of study: 4 semesters
• Language(s) of instruction: German
• Fees and contributions: 161.10 € / Semester
• Application procedure: Consecutive master’s programs with access restriction
• Application deadlines: Information about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program.
• Part-time option: Yes
• May be studied as a minor subject: Yes

Course Content

The Master’s degree program in Christianity and Culture gives students the opportunity to further the specialist knowledge gained in the Bachelor’s degree program in Christianity and Culture. Students apply their knowledge in the interpretation of theological texts and topics. They explore complex topics and present their findings in academic papers. Students are able to select course elements according to their interests, enabling them to develop a specialism in a specific subject area or topic. It is generally possible to change specialism between the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. Students who have not completed the Bachelor’s degree program in Christianity and Culture may also be admitted to the Master’s degree program.

Depending on students’ chosen area of specialism, they may be required to demonstrate knowledge of a source language. Students have the opportunity to fulfill language requirements during the Master’s degree program.

It is mandatory to choose a minor subject in combination with this Master program.

Course Structure

The Master’s degree program consists of general compulsory elements (academic theory), compulsory elements in the student’s area of specialism, and elective elements. The following may be chosen as areas of specialism:

• Biblical studies (Old Testament and/or New Testament with Hebrew and/or Greek)
• Christian history (history of the Christian church with Latin or Greek)
• Dogmatics (biblical, historical and current topics with the opportunity to integrate these topics with theological teachings and the argumentative presentation of elements of Christian belief - with Latin, Greek or Hebrew)
• Ethics and social behavior (knowledge and insight into problems relating to behaviors motivated by Christian belief in the past and present. Students are able to make ethical judgments - with Latin, Greek or Hebrew)
• Religious studies / intercultural theory (theoretical approaches and knowledge of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as new religious movements and esoterism. Intercultural theology focuses on the theology and history of Christianity in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and considers central questions within intercultural theory - with Latin or a non-European source language).

The Master’s degree program in Christianity and Culture requires that students gain 20 credits in a minor subject. Christianity and Culture may be studied as a minor subject, in combination with an area of specialism.

In the English-taught special field Theological Studies, the compulsory courses cover Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Systematic Theology, and Religious Studies/Intercultural Theology. In the elective component, students then deepen their studies in one of these subjects.