COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Religious Studies at Leiden University is a one-year program designed to equip students with the academic tools to study religion as a global and multifaceted phenomenon. The program combines theoretical depth with methodological training, preparing graduates for both academic and professional careers. Religion continues to shape societies worldwide, influencing politics, culture, economics, and daily life, and this program provides a critical framework for understanding its role in contemporary and historical contexts.Leiden University takes a generalist approach to the study of religion, emphasising research development, theory application, and critical thinking. Students learn to collect and analyse data using both qualitative and quantitative methods, apply key concepts and theories to real-world case studies, and assess complex societal issues involving religion. The curriculum is structured across two semesters. The first semester focuses on group teaching, broadening and deepening knowledge while preparing for research projects. The second semester is devoted to writing the MA thesis. Educational methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, and self-study, with assessment through exams, essays, reports, oral presentations, peer feedback, and the MA thesis.Compulsory courses include Tools and Theories in the Study of Religion, which introduces methods from humanistic and social-scientific disciplines to analyse religious narratives, identities, and practices, and Religion on the Move, which examines how globalisation, modernisation, and migration shape religion and its influence on society. The Thesis Seminar supports thesis development, while the Job Market Orientation module provides guidance on career paths, skill development, and professional networking.Students can also choose a specialisation to tailor their studies. Religion, History, and Society focuses on religion in historical context, Religion, Politics, and Governance examines the interaction between religion and political-legal systems, and Religion and Area Studies emphasises the study of religion across regions, spaces, and cultures. Electives within these tracks allow for focus on specific religions, historical periods, regions, or global comparisons. This combination of theoretical, methodological, and specialised training equips graduates to engage critically with religion in both academic research and professional contexts worldwide.