The interdisciplinary approach of religions through humanities and social sciences is the main originality of this master program. More than a single historical perspective, a dynamical approach focuses on religions within contemporary western societies, as crucial challenges for these societies. In particular, the legal component of the program ensures an innovative approach of trans-disciplinarity and interculturality as well.
The program is dedicated to students interested in an objective knowledge of religions and a critical approach provided by social sciences. The aim of the program is to enable the student to study at least two important religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Eastern Religions) and to acquire keys of comprehension forged by the social sciences (philosophy, history, law, sociology, psychology, theology). The formation largely requires a personal investment of the student while ensuring the conditions for an autonomous work.
The main priority of the master in sciences of religions is the acquisition of methods of analysis and theorization. It prepares students to personal researches about religions and their scientific approach. It also contributes to build various competences related in particular to the field of intercultural and interreligious mediation. It gives access to doctoral researches.
The common core program is composed of required substantial introductions to social sciences approaches of the religious phenomenon as well as a seminar of heuristics and two interdisciplinary seminars (methodology and cross-thematic question). The remaining part of the curriculum is dedicated to the study of at least two religious traditions. The program requires the submission of a master thesis.
A specialized option has to be chosen out of four provided by the program : - study of religious traditions - socio-anthropology of religion - psychology of religion - law and religion. Some pre-requisits may be mandatory for students with no previous curricula about the chosen field or discipline.
Important Notice:
The individual program of each student depends on her former curriculum and her optional choice as regards with religion thematics and/or disciplinary approaches; A large number of varied optional courses is offered to meet the interests of each student. The Master program requires completing a minimum of 120 credits distributed over two years, corresponding to 60 credits each one.
Some modules proposed as part of the Master en sciences des religions can be grouped together to make up a total of credits which are enough to constitute a university certificate.
Until the committee responsible for the Master en sciences des religions puts possible scenarios in place, the current Certificat universitaire en sciences des religions (SREL 9CE), made up of activities taken from this programme, is an open possibility.
