This section of the faculty covers two separate subjects: the Study of Religion and Arabic and Islamic Studies.

The Study of Religion

The Study of Religion, which is a subject within the humanities, has as its goal the study of religion in its broadest sense. The study comprises Christian tradition and other religious traditions and non-religious interpretations of life, both historical and contemporary. The section's research strengths, apart from the abovementioned fields, include a wide variety of methodical approaches: historical, philological, literary-critical, philosophical, anthropological, sociological and psychological.

Arab and Islamic Studies

Arabic and Islamic Studies is a subject within the humanities which studies Arabic language and culture and the religion of Islam in their broadest sense. It emphasizes the study of Islam and of the Arabic language (with emphasis on modern standard Arabic) as Islam's international language. The academic staff research religious and political issues in their historical, cultural, social and economic contexts.

Research environment

As a research environment the section is thus interdisciplinary in its structure as well as its approaches. The academic staff work closely together with researchers not only in the theological sections of the faculty, but also with colleagues in other departments, especially in the humanities and social sciences. The Arab and Islamic Studies Unit leads collaboration within its areas of responsibility. See here for the Unit’s website.

Areas of special interest for the Study of Religion : the encounter between cultures, especially in the Middle East and the Mediterranean; European identity, historically, sociologically, philosophically; ritual studies; method and theory in the study of religion; and cognitive studies pertaining to the study of religion.