About this programme
This Master’s programme focuses on negotiations, practices and power relations concerning religion in various areas of the public sphere. In a broader sense, related categories and concepts such as identity, secularity, and modernity are major points of interest in this course of study. Geographically, the emphasis is initially on Europe, leading to subsequent international comparisons. This concerns the discourse on religion (e.g. exemptions for “religion” in social spheres) as well as discourses on individual religions (e.g. Christianity as “cultural heritage”, Islam as a “challenge”, and Buddhism as a “modern philosophy of life”). As such, this MA in Religion in the Public Sphere (RelPub) differs from many traditional religious studies programmes, which tend to focus on religious practice in religious communities. Students will be prepared to work in a professional environment that addresses these processes and the dynamics of multicultural, democratic societies. They will learn to analyse different conflict constellations, to address these constellations confidently and constructively, and to develop sustainable, solution-oriented strategies. The degree programme is offered by the Institute for the Study of Religion in cooperation with the Institute of Sociology. A special feature of the programme is the option of gaining a double degree instead of just the Master’s degree in Hannover. This is made possible through cooperation with Università Roma Tre (Italy). The degree programme can be studied as a home track or double degree track. Both tracks focus on debates and negotiations concerning religion in a variety of social spheres. The debates are exemplified through three topic modules – “Education and Research”, “Politics and Law” and “Society and Culture” – which mark different arenas of the public sphere. The underlying theoretical perspective on the thematic area is outlined in the "Introductory Module” and expanded on in the “Research Debates” module. Students practice using and applying the theories and methods required to empirically research the object of investigation in the “Methods” module. Students from both tracks take the same modules in the first, second, and fourth semesters. Students on the double degree track spend their third semester at our partner university. Students on the home track use this semester to conduct their own research project under supervision or to complete a study-relevant internship. PDF Download
Course details verified 09 Sep 2026 — intakes, entry requirements and course facts · official source