Study at the Department

Structure of study

The academic study of religions has been taught at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University since 1992 and since 1993, it has been provided by the independent Department for the Study of Religions.

The study field of the academic study of religions can be studied in the on-site mode or in the combined mode. The on-site mode enables students to be present at lectures, seminars, class exercises and consultations led by academic staff according to the regular weekly schedule. The combined form of study connects the form of on-site mode and distance mode i.e. bock lectures and seminars with consultations and independent preparation of students.

Both forms enable regular university education on three basic levels: bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral.

On-site study

On-site study of the academic study of religions is provided in five forms:

bachelor’s studies:

• single-field bachelor’s studies (typical length of study is 3 years)
• two-field bachelor’s studies (typical length of study is 3 years)

master’s studies:

• connecting single-field master’s studies (typical length of study is 2 years)
• connecting two-field master’s studies (typical length of study is 2 years)

doctoral studies:

• single-field doctoral studies (typical length of study is 3 years)

Combined study

Combined study of the academic study of religions is provided in three forms:

bachelor’s studies:

• single-field bachelor’s studies (typical length of study is 3 years)

master’s studies:

• connecting single-field master’s studies (typical length of study is 2 years)

doctoral studies:

• single-field doctoral studies (typical length of study is 3 years)

Single-field bachelor’s studies in the on-site mode

This type of on-site study does not require any combination with any other study field at the Faculty of Arts MU or with study fields of other faculties of MU. The study provides an overall summary of the main religious traditions of the past as well as the presence, fundamentals of the theory, methodology and history of the discipline and introduction to the selected source language. Attention is paid to the development of skills necessary for application of the study of religions in social practice. The study is finished with the state bachelor’s examination and conferring the title of Bachelor (Bc.).

The organization of studies is based on the credit system, which provides the possibility to schedule the study and partially to modify its topics according to individual interests. The teaching is organized in a regular weekly mode and exceptionally in blocks.

More details about this form of study can be obtained in the Student’s Handbook of the Department for the Study of Religions.

Two-field bachelor’s studies in the on-site mode

This type of on-site study is organized in combination with another study field at the Faculty of Arts MU or, as the case may be, with study fields of other faculties of MU. The study provides an overall summary of the main religious traditions of the past as well as the presence, fundamentals of the theory, methodology and history of the discipline and introduction to the selected source language. Attention is paid to the development of skills necessary for application of the study of religions in social practice. The study is finished with the state bachelor’s examination and conferring the title of Bachelor (Bc.).

The organization of studies is based on the credit system, which provides the possibility to schedule the study and partially to modify its topics according to individual interests. The teaching is organized in a regular weekly mode and exceptionally in blocks.

More details about this form of study can be obtained in the Student’s Handbook of the Department for the Study of Religions.

Connecting single-field master’s studies in the on-site mode

This type of on-site study does not require any combination with any other study field at the Faculty of Arts MU or with study fields of other faculties of MU. It is a follow-up study to the bachelor’s cycle in the academic study of religions or related study fields and it provides intermediate specialization based on deeper theoretical and methodological foundations.

At the beginning of studies, students choose one of the specializations offered:

• archaic religions;
• Western religious traditions;
• Eastern religious traditions;
• new religious movements.

Attention is paid to the development of skills enabling engagement of students in scientific research of religions. The study is finished with the state master’s examination and conferring the title of Master (Mgr.).

The organization of studies is based on the credit system, which provides the possibility to schedule the study and partially to modify its topics according to individual interests. The teaching is organized in a regular weekly mode and exceptionally in blocks.

More details about this form of study can be obtained in the Student’s Handbook of the Department for the Study of Religions.

Connecting two-field master’s studies in the on-site mode

This type of on-site study is organized in combination with another study field at the Faculty of Arts MU or, as the case may be, with study fields of other faculties of MU. It is a follow-up study to the bachelor’s cycle in the academic study of religions or related study fields and it provides intermediate specialization based on deeper theoretical and methodological foundations.

At the beginning of studies, students choose one of the specializations offered:

• archaic religions;
• Western religious traditions;
• Eastern religious traditions;
• new religious movements.

Attention is paid to the development of skills enabling engagement of students in scientific research of religions. The study is finished with the state master’s examination and conferring the title of Master (Mgr.).

The organization of studies is based on the credit system, which provides the possibility to schedule the study and partially to modify its topics according to individual interests. The teaching is organized in a regular weekly mode and exceptionally in blocks.

More details about this form of study can be obtained in the Student’s Handbook of the Department for the Study of Religions.

Single-field doctoral studies in the on-site mode

The aim of the doctoral studies in the field of the academic study of religions or related subjects is the development of knowledge and skills obtained in the master’s studies of religions on the basis of individual study plans and other study duties (seminars and lectures). The study focuses on the development of skills necessary for independent research work in the chosen subject, and thus to the reciprocal contribution of students to the development of the academic study of religions.

The basic form of study is independent, systematic preparation for the creative academic and scientific career in the discipline. The design of study focuses on methodological, specialized and language preparation. The most important role in the study plan is occupied by doctoral seminars, in which individual students present the results of their activity aiming primarily at the elaboration of the doctoral thesis. The study is finished with a doctoral state examination and conferring the title of Doctor (Ph.D.).

During the study, students have to prove the knowledge of disciplines that are contained in their specialization. Due to the fact that the specialization of research in the study of religions is quite broad, the extent of required knowledge cannot be strictly prescribed. Basically the specialization within the framework of doctoral study is classified into:

• archaic religions;
• Western religious traditions;
• Eastern religious traditions;
• new religious movements.

Expert knowledge of the subject as well language is required according to the student’s focus. To all students in the doctoral study it applies that they have to prove appropriate level of knowledge of theory and methodology of the study of religions.

The organization of studies is based on the credit system, which provides the possibility to schedule the study and modify its topics according to individual interests.

More details about this form of study can be obtained in the Student’s Handbook of the Department for the Study of Religions.

Single-field bachelor’s study in the combined mode

This type of combined bachelor’s study does not require any combination with any other study field at the Faculty of Arts MU or with study fields of other faculties of MU. The study provides an overall summary of the main religious traditions of the past as well as the presence, fundamentals of the theory, methodology and history of the discipline and introduction to the selected source language. Attention is paid to the development of skills necessary for application of the study of religions in social practice. The study is finished with the state bachelor’s examination and conferring the title of Bachelor (Bc.).

The organization of studies is based on the credit system, which provides the possibility to schedule the study and partially to modify its topics according to individual interests. Regular teaching in blocks is held on Fridays, usually in two-week intervals. Importance is put on individual consultations and independent preparation.

More details about this form of study can be obtained in the Student’s Handbook of the Department for the Study of Religions.

Single-field master’s study in the combined mode

This type of study is not offered at present.

Single-field doctoral study in the combined mode

The aim of the doctoral studies in the field of the academic study of religions or related subjects is the development of knowledge and skills obtained in the master’s studies of religions on the basis of individual study plans and other study duties (seminars and lectures). The study focuses on the development of skills necessary for independent research work in the chosen subject, and thus to the reciprocal contribution of students to the development of the academic study of religions.

The basic form of study is independent, systematic preparation for the creative academic and scientific career in the discipline. The design of study focuses on methodological, specialized and language preparation. The most important role in the study plan is occupied by doctoral seminars, in which individual students present the results of their activity aiming primarily at the elaboration of the doctoral thesis. The study is finished with a doctoral state examination and conferring the tile of Doctor (Ph.D.).

During the study, students have to prove the knowledge of disciplines that are contained in their specialization. Due to the fact that the specialization of research in the study of religions is quite broad, the extent of required knowledge cannot be strictly prescribed. Basically the specialization within the framework of doctoral study is classified into:

• archaic religions;
• Western religious traditions;
• Eastern religious traditions;
• new religious movements.

Expert knowledge of the subject as well language is required according to the student’s focus. To all students in the doctoral study it applies that they have to prove appropriate level of knowledge of theory and methodology of the study of religions.

The organization of studies is based on the credit system, which provides the possibility to schedule the study and modify its topics according to individual interests.

More details about this form of study can be obtained in the Student’s Handbook of the Department for the Study of Religions.