Kategori: Pre-Master's

2026-2027

Biblical studies, distance learning

The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It is included in Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.

This course introduces students to the Bible as a literary collection that emerged from concrete historical situations and served concrete communities. Rather than examining biblical books according to the classical schema, the course explores why and how these texts arose in response to the social, political and material realities of their time. Students explore the formation of the Hebrew Bible against the backdrop of the ancient Near Eastern world and the emergence of the New Testament writings within the social and literary fabric of Greco-Roman culture. In addition, this course engages with early Christian writings, through which students examine how early Christians received, used and interpreted Scripture. 

Learning objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1. Knowledge and understanding:

1.1 describe the specific social, political and material conditions under which the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament emerged; 

1.2 identify key methodological differences between a classical overview approach and a contextual approach to Bible study; 

1.3 provide a general explanation of how early Christians received, used and interpreted Scripture during the first centuries; 

2. Competence and skills:

2.1 analyse a biblical text in light of its ancient Near Eastern or Greco-Roman context, using the methods and perspectives provided in the course; 

2.2 present critical arguments in speech and writing in dialogue with various target audiences; 

3. Assessment and approach:

3.1 evaluate scientific arguments concerning the origins and formation of biblical texts from historical, social and ethical viewpoints; 

3.2 assess how the production and reception contexts shape the interpretation of Scripture. 

Course Literature

Miriam de Cock and Elizabeth Klein (eds), Exploring the Literary Contexts of Patristic Biblical Exegesis. Leiden: Brill, 2023 (276 pp).

Paula Fredriksen, Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2024 (209 pp.)

Peter W. Martens, Origen and Scripture: The Contours of the Exegetical Life. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014 (294 pp).

Candida Moss, God’s Ghostwriters: Enslaved Christians and the Making of the Bible. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2024. (336 pp.)

Robyn Faith Walsh, The Origins of Early Christian Literature: Contextualizing the New Testament within Greco-Roman Literary Culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021. (246 pp.)

Jacob L. Wright, Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023. (472 pp.)

Articles may be added.

Syllabus

See the syllabus for further information.

2026-2027

Christian Theology and the Practice of Faith, Distance Learning

The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It forms part of the Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.

How does theology relate to the practical life of faith? Practical theology sometimes defines itself against the negative foil of systematic theology, and practical theologians worry that systematic theology neglects the role of context in Christian thought. But is this really a fair way to assess systematic theology? In this course, we explore the relationship between Christian theories and the practice of faith, and in re-imagining the relationship between these two, the course sheds light on the relation between theory and practice, as well as between systematic theology and practical theology. 

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Learning objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1. Knowledge and understanding:

1.1 relate different positions on the dichotomy between theory and practice to various thinkers within the field of theology, and identify how they apply theories to a variety of materials and research objects

1.2 identify common positions in the current scholarly discourse of qualitative and empirical methods in the field of theology

2. Competence and skills:

2.1 independently formulate and solve problems related to qualitative research, within the field of theology, even with limited information

2.2 identify and critically analyse the two perspectives of Christian doctrines and lived faith, using appropriate critical methods within a given time frame

3. Assessment and approach:

3.1 select and argue for appropriate methods for studies related to faith reflection and practised faith, and the limitations such methods place on the study object, from both a disciplinary, social and ethical perspective

3.2 assess and argue for the limitations of qualitative research, and the need for ongoing research in the field, as well as the ethical issues and social concerns relating to empirical methods and qualitative research.

Course Literature

Fahlgren, Sune & Ideström, Jonas (2015) Ecclesiology in the Trenches: Theory and Method under Construction. Pickwick Publications (256 pp.).

Forrester, Duncan B. (2015) Truthful Action. Explorations in Practical Theology. Edinburgh, UK: T&T Clark.

Gunton, Colin E. (2000) Intellect and Action. Elucidations on Christian Theology and the Life of Faith. Edinburgh, UK: T&T Clark.

Ward, Pete & Tveitereid, Knut (2022) The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research. John Wiley & Sons (750 pp.).

Syllabus

See the syllabus for further information.

2026-2027

Comparative Religion: Between Phenomenology and Hermeneutics, distance

The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It is included in Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.

In this course, students learn how to compare religions in scholarly ways and how to understand them through being in dialogue with them. The course approaches religions both through the phenomenology of religion and through hermeneutics. Phenomenology is used to describe and understand lived religious experiences and structures of consciousness, while hermeneutics is used to interpret texts and traditions in specific contexts and across different faiths. By combining these approaches, scholars aim to gain an accurate, empathetic and experientially grounded understanding of different religious traditions, which in turn may lead to a deeper interreligious dialogue and understanding. 

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Learning objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1. Knowledge and understanding:

1.1 relate different theoretical positions within comparative religion to thinkers and broader developments in the field of the study of religions and theology 

1.2 thoroughly explain how thinkers in comparative religion apply methods to different materials and research objects; 

1.3 describe how sociology contributes to the discipline of comparative religion; 

2. Competence and skills:

2.1 independently identify similarities and differences between religions using literature; 

2.2 critically contrast different hermeneutical methods and sociological models within the field of comparative religion; 

3. Assessment and approach:

3.1 formulate problems of ethical and social concerns related to comparative religion;

3.2 assess the possibilities and limitations of research and its role in society, as well as the individual's responsibility for how it is used.

Course Literature

René Gothóni, ed. How to do Comparative Religion? Three Ways, Many Goals. Berlin and New York: Walter de Gruyter, 2015 (221 pp).

Paul Gwynne, The World Religions in Practice. A Comparative Introduction, 2nd ed. Oxford: John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2017 (384 pp).

Stephen Sharot, A Comparative Sociology of World Religions: Virtuosos, Priests, and Popular Religion. New York and London: New York University Press, 2001 (353 pp).

Jens Zimmermann, Hermeneutics: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Articles and source texts will be added (approx. 500 pp).

Syllabus

See the syllabus for further information.

2026-2027

Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, Distance Learning

This is a course package offered at second-cycle level, within the main field of study of Religious Studies and Theology. It is divided into six courses plus one elective course. The course package prepares students for the Master's Program in Eastern Christian Studies. Most courses can be taken as a freestanding course at second-cycle level.

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Aims and content

The course package provides a basic orientation on the characteristics of religions, their sacred texts and traditions, historical development and the current role of people in relation to their surroundings and society in general. The course package includes six courses, and one elective course: World Religions and Sacred Scriptures; Science, Philosophy, and Religion; Christian Theology and the Life of Faith; Comparative Religion: Between Phenomenology and Hermeneutics; Methodology and Literature; and Research Thesis, and in addition one elective course either History of Religion; Religious Behavioral Science; Biblical Studies; Church History: The Birth of a New World Order; Systematic Theology: The Beginnings; or Practical Theology: Theology in Collaboration.

After completing the entire course package Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology (60 credits), the student must have acquired knowledge about religions, their sacred texts, and traditions as well as their role in history and the present. The student must have developed a critical approach to various presentations of theology, religion and world views and have also acquired skills to use methods in religious studies and theology. The student must also be able to make assessments of social and ethical issues, as well as of issues in relation to gender, democracy and sustainability in the field of religious studies and theology.

Schedule
Autumn term, 30 ECTS Spring term, 30 ECTS

Module 1: 31 Aug 2026 – 8 Nov 2026

World Religions and Sacred Scriptures (7.5 ECTS)

Science, Philosophy, and Religion (7.5 ECTS)

Module 3: 18 Jan 2027 – 28 Mar 2027

Theories and methods: Discourse and Religious Studies (7.5 ECTS)

Optional courses (choose 1):

History of Religion (7.5 ECTS)

Religious Behavioural Science (7.5 ECTS)

Biblical Studies (7.5 ECTS)

Church History: The Birth of a New World Order (7.5 ECTS)

Systematic Theology: The Beginnings (7.5 ECTS)

Practical Theology: Theology in Collaboration (7.5 ECTS)

Module 2: 9 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027

Christian Theology and the Practice of Faith (7.5 ECTS)

Comparative Religion: Between Phenomenology and Hermeneutics (7.5 ECTS)

Module 4: 29 March 2027 – 6 June 2027

Research Thesis (15 ECTS)
Requirements

Courses equivalent to 90 credits from the First Cycle in the humanities, social sciences, educational sciences, theology, law or health sciences, or equivalent competence. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. 

Syllabus

See the syllabus for further information.

2026-2027

Research Thesis, Distance Learning

The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It is included in Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.

The course includes an independent project presented in the form of a research paper. The course covers theory and method forming the basis for relevant scientific development within the chosen field. The course assumes prior training in how to write academic papers and how to present scientific results. Each student will have their own supervisor. 

Learning objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

  • describe applicable theories and methods within the field in a thorough manner;
  • relate applicable theories and methods within the field to previous research, relevant to the chosen field;

Competencies and skills:

  • identify research problems and formulate thesis aims and research questions;
  • apply theories and methods to a research problem, argue for a position or solution, write an essay that, in terms of language use, content and form, complies with the standards within the field;
  • demonstrate the ability to convey information both orally and in writing and to discuss scientific claims and reasoning;

Assessment and approach:

  • critically evaluate sources of knowledge;
  • assess the scientific and societal relevance of research problems within the field;
  • identify and formulate the need for further knowledge.
Requirements

Courses equivalent to 90 higher education credits at first-cycle level within humanities, social sciences, educational sciences, theology, law, or health sciences, or equivalent competence, as well as the course Theories and Methods: Discourse and Religious Studies (7.5 credits).

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6.

Syllabus

See the syllabus for further information.

2026-2027

Science, Philosophy, and Religion, Distance Learning

The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It is included in Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.

How do we distinguish between the ”real” world and the ”observable” world? Critical realists and many scientists make a distinction between the ”real” world, which exists independently of human perceptions, theories and constructs, and the ”observable” world. Whilst the ”real” cannot be observed, the ”observable” is constructed on the basis of our perspectives and experiences. In this course, we take a closer look at the relationship between objectivity and subjectivity, as well as the relation between the ”real” and the ”observable”, and what is ”real”/exists (ontology) and what we can know and understand about the ”real” (epistemology). Through these perspectives, we attempt to understand the relationship between science, philosophy and religion. During the course, students will listen to various voices grappling with the big questions in the fields of the study of religion and theology. 

Learning objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1. Knowledge and understanding:

1.1 relate different positions on science, philosophy and religion within the fields of the study of religions and theology, and identify how they apply theories to various materials and research objects

1.2 identify positions in the current academic discourse on science, philosophy and religion, within the field of the study of religions and theology

2. Competence and skills:

2.1 independently identify, formulate and solve problems related to ontology and epistemology, as well as problems related to objectivity and subjectivity, within the field of the study of religions

2.2 identify and critically analyse different approaches to the scientific study of religion and epistemology, using appropriate critical methods within a given timeframe

3. Assessment and approach:

3.1 select and argue for appropriate methods for the study of the relationship between science, philosophy and religion, and the limitations such methods place on the object of study, from both a disciplinary, social and ethical perspective

3.2 assess and argue for the limitations of intersectionality within the fields of science, philosophy and religion, and the need for ongoing research in the field, as well as the ethical issues and social concerns relating to intersectionality.

Requirements

Courses equivalent to 90 credits from the First Cycle in the humanities, social sciences, educational sciences, theology, law or health sciences, or equivalent competence. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Course Literature

Adamson, Peter & Benevich, Fedor & Klinger, Dustin (2025) The Heirs of Avicenna: Philosophy in the Islamic East, 12–13th Centuries, Brill (630 pp.). 

Dawes, Gregory W. (2016) Galileo and the Conflict between Religion and Science. Routledge (198 pp.). 

McGrath, Alister E. (2010) Science and Religion. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons (262 pp.). 

Schilbrack, Kevin (2014) Philosophy and the Study of Religions. A Manifesto. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons (206 pp.). 

Syllabus

See the syllabus for further information.

2026-2027

Theories and Methods: Discourse and Religious Studies, Distance Learning

The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It is included in Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.

This course is a preparation for writing a research paper in religious studies and theology. Students choose one of three subjects, which they have previously chosen as their specialisation: Biblical studies with history of religions, or church history with systematic theology, or practical theology with religious behavioural science. In the first part of the course, students learn the basics of writing a research paper and how to present their findings. The second part discusses how to formulate a problem and a research question, and how to apply theories to a specific material or research object. In the third part, students become familiar with theories and the use of specific methods within the subject. In the final part, students choose, in collaboration with their supervisors, their own literature related to their problem formulation. 

Learning objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

  • explain theories and methods in the science of religion and theology;
  • relate theories in the study of religions and theology to methods in the study of religions and theology;

Competence and skills

  • apply theories and methods to the chosen area;
  • use different writing techniques provided in the course;

Judgement and approach

  • independently compare, evaluate and argue for the choice of methods, based on a problem formulation;
  • identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning
Requirements

Courses equivalent to 90 credits from the First Cycle in the humanities, social sciences, educational sciences, theology, law or health sciences, or equivalent competence. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Course Literature

(1) Academic Writing

Lucretia B. Yaghjian, Writing Theology Well. A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers. London & New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2015 (427 pp).

(2) Choose one of the following:

(A) Historical Methods

W. H. McDowell, Historical Research: A Guide. Harlow, Ess.: Pearson Education, 2002 (256 pp). 44 

Robert Evans, Reception History, Tradition and Biblical Interpretation. Gadamer and Jauss in Current Practice. London & New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2014 (279 pp). 

(B) Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Daniella Kuzmanovic & Andreas Bandak, Qualitative Analysis in the Making. New York & London: Routledge, 2015 (202 pp).

John W. Creswell & J. David Creswell, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Approaches. London: Sage Publications, 2018 (246 pp). 

(C) Liturgical Methods

Juliette J. Day, Reading the Liturgy. An Exploration of Texts in Christian Worship. London & New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2014 (166 pp). 

Teresa Berger & Bryan D. Spinks, Liturgy’s Imagined Past/s. Methodologies in the Writing of Liturgical History Today. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2016 (302 pp). 

(3) Individually chosen literature with the supervisor. 

Syllabus

See the syllabus for further information.

2026-2027

World Religions and Sacred Scriptures, Distance Learning

The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It is included in Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.

The study of religion is a diverse enterprise; religion is as rich a phenomenon as human life itself. The evolution of religions can be studied in relation to the complex development of sacred scriptures. These scriptures entail themes that concern gender and sexuality, art and science, violence and peace, and power and authority. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are world religions, diverse in language, culture, history and creed, but in their scriptural traditions there is a common language that recent scholarly work has discovered. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism present a rich array of sacred scriptures from across the Indian subcontinent; in China, Korea, and Japan we also find diverse scriptural traditions. Comparative Religion studies common ways of making texts sacred and religious; sacred texts reveal more than just one religion. They also reveal clues to what religion is. In the course, we will both look at particular religions and discover the phenomenon of religion through its sacred texts.

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Learning objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

  • relate both general and specific features of sacred texts in different religions;
  • describe the central features of major world religions in a thorough manner;
  • outline common methods used in the field.

Competence and skills

  • compare similar traits in different sacred texts;
  • apply different methods to sacred texts;
  • present their analyses to different audiences.

Judgement and approach

formulate problems of ethical and social concerns that specific religious texts give rise to.

Requirements

Courses equivalent to 90 credits from the First Cycle in the humanities, social sciences, educational sciences, theology, law or health sciences, or equivalent competence. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Course Literature

Will Deming, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction, 2nd ed. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons, 2025 (520 pp). 

John Bowker, The Message and the Book. Sacred Texts of the World Religions. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2012 (357 pp). 6 

Philip Novak, The World’s Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World’s Religions. Edison, New Jersey, Castle Books, 1996 (448 pp). 

Articles and source texts will be added (approx. 200 pp). 

Syllabus

See the syllabus for further information.