MA in Religion, Conflict and Globalization

How are religion, conflict, and peace related? How does globalization affect local religious traditions? How do religious and secular actors interact in debates on migration and gender?

Within the modern world, it is clear that religion has a major role in many conflicts occurring at multiple levels and locations. Yet religion is also one of the main ways in which people connect with each other across the globe. Despite this social and political significance, NGOs, governments and journalists alike often have misguided understandings of religion’s role in the modern world and the meaning that it holds for various peoples, relying on simplistic and outdated assumptions. This can contribute to disagreements, tensions, and misunderstandings, with potentially serious consequences.

The Religion, Conflict and Globalization Master’s track aims to address the pivotal place of religion within the dynamics of a globalized world, and how this relates to conflicts that shape modern societies. The course is interdisciplinary, wide-ranging, and broad; including political, social, psychological, cultural, and legal dimensions.

Why study this program in Groningen?

• Combination of anthropology, sociology, and political science is unique in the world.
• Unique focus on the place of religion in a globalized world from an interdisciplinary perspective.
• Relates latest research and theories to current developments.
• Internships at embassies, ministry of foreign affairs, national and international NGO's.
• Taught by leading experts with a world-class reputation at a Top 100 University.

The MA program Religion, Conflict and Globalization consists of a compulsory introductory course (5 ECTS), a compulsory course unit on Research Methods (5 ECTS), four electives (5 ECTS each), and a thesis (20 ECTS). 10 ECTS are reserved for practical placement.

All students take the introductory course, which lays out the dominant theoretical approaches used when considering and studying religion within this setting. Disciplinary approaches include those from anthropology, sociology, political philosophy and theory, and international relations theories. One of the main stresses within the course is expounding the significance of 'culture', 'society', 'politics', and 'power'. These are presented both as contested concepts, but also as factors that affect relationships.

The second compulsory course is 'Social Scientific Research Methods', where students are introduced to and develop the necessary research skills for completing a research project- such as the thesis.

Additionally, you choose four Electives.

The 5 ECTS course unit Nature, Humanity, and Global Perspectives in Modern Spirituality and Esotericism is part of a larger course unit of 20 ECTS in total, which we co-teach with the University of Copenhagen. You have the opportunity to follow the complete course online, but the additional 15 ECTS are extracurricular. You can not follow the 15 ECTS taught by the University of Copenhagen instead of the other electives.

Courses

• Compulsory: Religion, Conflict, and Globalization: a critical introduction (5 EC)
• Elective: Gender, Diversity and Religious Heritage (5 EC, optional)
• Elective: Nature, Humanity, and Global Perspectives in Modern Spirituality and Esotericism (5 EC, optional)
• Elective: Religion, Gender, and Sexuality (5 EC, optional)
• Elective: Religion,Violence and Conflict Transformation (5 EC, optional)
• Compulsory: Social Scientific Research Methods (5 EC)
• Elective: Gender, Religion, and Sexual Nationalism (5 EC, optional)
• Elective: Migration, Culture and Religious Identity (5 EC, optional)
• Elective: National Socialism and Religion: Conflict and Heritage (5 EC, optional)
• Elective: Religion and Extremism (5 EC, optional)
• Elective: Religion and Extremism (5 EC, optional)
• Placement (10 EC)
• Thesis + Thesis Seminar (20 EC)

Study load

40 hours of class and self-study per week on average

1 ECTS = 28 hrs. of study. One year contains 60 ECTS. You will have on average 6 hrs. of lessons per week at the Faculty, the rest of the hours is reserved for the preparation of the classes and studying.

Curriculum

The program consists of two compulsory courses and three electives. Through these electives, you can choose to focus on topics related to either Conflict and Peacebuilding, Migration, or Gender. It is possible to follow some course units from the track Religion and Pluralism, Ancient & Modern.

Job prospects

Following completion of this degree, you will be able to advise or write policy documents on different subjects - including developmental assistance, or multicultural society. Job tracts include working for a government, in business, or at an NGO. Other options include media, or indeed education. Those who wish to pursue an academic career can follow this track as part of the 2-year Research Master's program.

Job examples

Consulting & Policy

In a globalized world, there is a need for experts who can help explain and solve conflicts that are further-reaching than ever before. More specifically, this could mean working for the think-tank of a political party, for a body such as the Netherlands Institute for Social Research, or indeed the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael.

Media & Journalism

The media often mis-portray religion, whether it is to do with terrorism or integration issues. Graduates of this program will be able to add some much-needed nuance to the picture, whether at a publishing company, broadcasting, or a newspaper/news magazine.

Education

Upon completing the degree, you will have enough knowledge to teach in Religious Studies, Philosophy, Social Studies, and others - in secondary education. You could also opt for a position in higher vocational education. As didactic skills are required for teaching, it is advisable doing a Master's in Education, once having completed this course.