Specialization in Religious Studies
The Department of History and the Medieval Studies Department of Central European University offers as of the Academic Year 2007-2008 a new area of teaching and research: Specialization Religious Studies (SRS).
Students in this specialization, as part of their MA in History or Medieval Studies, will engage in the study of religious phenomena from a historical point of view and from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. As CEU is located in a region that has been the crossroads of major religious, cultural, and political histories and lineages, this specialist field provides a unique experience and access to sources in three areas: in-depth engagement with religious thought and traditions, focusing on the three monotheistic religions, in a historically and conceptually grounded way, comparative study of their social, societal, institutional, cultural, intellectual, and political contexts and implications.
Students fulfilling the requirements in the SRS will receive a ‘certificate of attendance’.
Requirements
In order to receive a certificate of attendance in the SRS together with the degree proper, the following requirements need to be fulfilled:
1. Admission to the Department of History or the Department of Medieval Studies.
2. Based on the required 40 credits to obtain an MA degree, the students of the SRS must gain 4 mandatory credits and 8 elective credits out of the seminars listed by the SRS and they have to write their thesis (8 credits) on a religion related topic with either the first or the second supervisor of the student belonging to this Specialization.
To view the Specialization Religious Studies' current course listings, please go visit our pages for SRS courses AYFall2009 or SRS courses AYWinter2010.
Faculty in Charge
Aziz Al-Azmeh for the Department of Medieval Studies and the Hellenic Center
Matthias Riedl for the Department of History
Nadia Al-Bagdadi for the Religious Studies Program/Department of History
Administratively, this Specialization is coordinated by the Religious Studies Program.
Prospective students can express their interest in this specialization by writing to either of the faculty in charge.
Faculty involved
At this point, the SRS works between History and Medieval Studies Department. The SRS pursues, however, to enlarge the number of courses and faculty, most notably from the departments of Philosophy, Sociology and Social Anthropology, International Relations and European Studies, Nationalism, and the Jewish Studies Program.
To see a current list of participating faculty, please go to our Participating Departments, Programs and Faculty page.
How to Start the Application Procedure
Students interested in the Specialization Religious Studies have a choice of applying to a One Year MA, Two Year MA or PhD.
For research topics that focus on the period up to the end of the 15th century apply to the Medieval Studies Department (medstud.ceu.hu), for later topics to the History Department (www.hist.ceu.hu). Applications are accepted through an on-line system at http://www.ceu.hu/admissions/apply beginning on November 10, 2009. Candidates applying by January 25, 2010 are eligible to take the CEU-administered institutional TOEFL. Candidates who can provide evidence of proficiency in English or will organize their own TOEFL examination may apply by March 15, 2009. Full scholarships are available!
Application Deadlines
Deadlines for application to the CEU History and/or the Medieval Studies Department are:
January 25, 2010: For applicants who wish/are required to take the CEU administered admissions examinations and /or are requesting exemption from the English language proficiency requirement.
March 16, 2010: For applicants submitting applications complete with language scores and other applicable test scores.
March 2010: For CEU Master’s students and graduates applying to doctoral programs.
For more information on this academic program, please contact the Religious Studies Program at rsp@ceu.hu.