MA in Heritage and Religion
University of Groningen
Key Information
Campus location
Groningen, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,314 / per year *
Application deadline
01 May 2024
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* EU/EEA students: €2,314 | non-EU/EEA students: €16,000
Introduction
How and why do we creatively make use of the past to forge new identities in the present? What is at stake in the "musealization" of religion?
Heritage and Religion is a unique interdisciplinary MA program focusing on a major trend at the interface of religion, identity, politics, and heritage studies. It also addresses a gap in critical heritage studies, studying the shifting place of religion in heritage debates.
In the coming years, 30-80% of religious buildings will lose their original function in the Netherlands. National and European budgets are dedicating millions of euros to the development of plans to address vacant religious heritage buildings. Tourism and pilgrimage to religious objects, sites, and festivals are booming, which raises questions about sustainability and impact.
At the same time, heritage has become a significant subject in contemporary cultural debate. Large-scale migration and secularization are changing the religious identities of communities and the way they perceive the past. The demands of the preservation of at-risk material and intangible heritage in the face of war, displacement, population shifts, and climate change are great. How are preservation concerns balanced with local resources?
This program challenges you to analyze and contribute your own voice to these debates.
Placements
You are encouraged to pursue your own interests in your placement. You can choose to do your internship in the Netherlands or abroad. Examples are:
- Future for Religious Heritage - European Network for Historic Places of Worship
- Mysterious Kiev (tourist organization Kiev, Ukraine)
- Museum Catharijneconvent
- Dutch National Cultural Heritage Agency
- Foundation Oude Groninger Kerken
- Athenaeum Library Deventer
- Province Groningen
Why study this program in Groningen?
- expertise on religious aspects of both material and immaterial heritage
- a unique combination of broad cultural competence and academic research skills with practical skills relevant to the job market
- expertise on various religions taught at non-denominational university
- strong heritage region
- excellent network for internships
- taught by internationally recognized experts in the field
- small scale teaching
Curriculum
The MA Religion and Cultural Heritage comprise a total of 60 ECTS. The program is structured in such a way as to provide a balance between practical learning with community-based professionals, and academic research.
No matter what your goals may be, the degree gives you both a strong grounding in heritage theory and practice. It enables you to pursue your own interests in two overlapping approaches to heritage studies:
- material and intangible heritage (Material Religion; Heritage of Death; Museums and Religion)
- heritage of traditions and ideas (Gender, Diversity and Religious Heritage; National Socialism and Religion - Conflict, and Heritage; Theological Heritages; Reception and Re-Use of Authoritative Text)
Courses
- Compulsory: Heritage, Identity, Religion: Theoretical Approaches (5 EC)
- Compulsory: Regional Heritage: Old Churches - New Meanings (5 EC)
- Elective: Gender, Diversity and Religious Heritage (5 EC, optional)
- Elective: Material Religion: Things, Places, Performances, and Belief (5 EC, optional)
- Elective: Theological Heritages in a (Post) Modern Context (5 EC, optional)
- Compulsory: Research Methods in Heritage and Historical Studies (5 EC)
- Elective: Heritage of Death (5 EC, optional)
- Elective: Museums and Religion (5 EC, optional)
- Elective: National Socialism and Religion: Conflict and Heritage (5 EC, optional)
- Elective: Reception and Re-Use of Authoritative Texts (5 EC, optional)
- Internship (10 EC)
- Thesis (20 EC)
- Thesis seminar
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
There are three core modules (15 ECTS), a thesis (20 ECTS), and a practical placement (10 ECTS). You can choose three out of eight electives (5 ECTS each).
Program options
- Master's Honours program (honors program)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is optional
- For an average of 20 weeks
- Maximum of 30 EC
We have various exchange contracts with universities both inside and outside Europe, enabling students to follow part of their degree program at a foreign university. Another option is to take an internship or to do part of the research work abroad.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
You can advise or write policy documents on heritage subjects, such as the preservation of old churches or the distribution of funding for cultural activities. You could work for cultural organizations, the government, in the tourist business, or at an NGO. You may also work in the media or as a teacher of religion in secondary education after completing your Educational Master's program. If you wish to pursue an academic career, you can follow this track as a specialization within the Research
Job examples
Cultural Education
You can work within organizations that consult upon the content and organization within the field of arts and cultural education. Or you could work at an educational department within institutions such as cultural centers or museums.
Consulting & Policy
Your knowledge about religious heritage will enable you to advise upon or write policy documents on the conservation of religious heritage. You could find a job with the central government but also at organizations and foundations in the cultural sector. This could, for example, be the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht or the Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken.
Education
Once you have completed this Master's track, you will have sufficient knowledge of the subject to be able to teach Religious Studies or Social Studies in secondary education. Alternatively, you could opt for a position in higher vocational education. As you also need didactic skills as a teacher or lecturer, it is advisable to do a Master's in Education after you have completed your regular Master's program.
Media & Journalism
A number of publishers have shown renewed interest in religion and society. With your knowledge and skills, you can make an expert contribution to publications in this field. You could also use your expertise as an editor at a broadcasting company, newspaper or current affairs magazine.