In the months of March through June 2025 and starting March 27, you can attend a virtual exchange methodological seminar dedicated to the methodology of research in religious studies for an interdisciplinary approach.
The purpose of the seminar is to enable students to:
• Acquire a broader set of tools (from the critical-historical and the theological methodological approaches) to study and research religion from an interdisciplinary perspective. Although each discipline (history and theology) has its specific methodology, the interpretation of sources (interpretive approach) plays a central role in both research perspectives. Methodologically, the course aims to train students to be “systematic interpreters”.
• Address the question of “how knowledge from the past works in practice”, by bringing historical and theological sources into dialogue with people.
• To learn about the contribution of post-colonial African theology and African feminist approaches to the way we discuss about and research religion.
By the end of the seminar, students will be able to:
• Become familiar with the methodological framework employed in the critical-historical study of religion, including the identification, analysis, and contextualization of primary and secondary sources, with particular emphasis on narrative sources.
• Engage with the concept of “Theological Action research”, which employs an empirical approach to problem-solving. This method involves working in the field with a group of people who deal with a controversial problem (such as power differences, post-colonial issues, leadership, moral education of the next generation) as well as deepening the religious theological conversation in the context.
• To assess the impact of the African post-colonial and feminist discussion on the field of Religious Studies.
• To enhance their critical thinking, acquire strong intercultural communication skills and improve their self-confidence, thanks to the different Virtual Exchanges activities implemented.
Dates: March 27th, April 10th, April 30th, May 15th, May 29th, June 12th, June 26th, 2025.
Deadline for registration: April 4th, 2025
The seminar is offered in the framework of the EU funded project VEREAD, and organized by Fondazione per le Scienze Religiose (FSCIRE) – Italy, Theologische Universiteit Apeldoorn (TUA) – Netherlands, Kenyatta University (KU) – Kenya, Makerere University (MAK) – Uganda
Find more details in the flyer.