Religious Roots of Europe

This joint and international programme explores the three most influential religions of European culture and history: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam have traditionally been studied more or less separately. The aspiration of the Religious Roots of Europe-programme is to study the three religions together in their formative period from a comparative per­spective and using a variety of approaches, which include historical, material, philological, social scien­tific, feminist and literary ones.

In this programme, we study a combination of phenomena central to each of the three religions, such as sacred texts, rituals, myths, objects, architecture, and institutions. These are studied in light of their relationship to society, politics, law, gender, and ethics.

In addition to a historical perspective on the formation of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the program will enhance the students` general understanding of contemporary Nordic, European and Western identities. In interaction with one another, the three religions have had and continue to have a profound influence on the development of European culture and society.

The Religious Roots of Europe-programme is a joint master`s degree programme offered by the Faculty of Theology, the University of Oslo, in cooperation with the following two Nordic Universities:

• The Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University
• The Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen

It is based on online teaching, as well as compact seminars at the host institutions, and study-trips to destinations in the Mediterranean region.

Each of the hosting institutions are responsible for courses within their special competence.

You can find more information about the programme structure on our web page.

Among the fields of special competence at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Oslo must be mentioned Biblical Studies, Early Christian social and political history, Gender Studies, Ritual Studies and Islamic Studies.