History: Religion and Society

The specialisation in Religion and Society focusses on understanding the changing role of religion(s) in society from Antiquity until the present. Religion and society mutually influence each other: important aspects of society find their expression in religion, while religion helps to determine the character of society. Using written sources as well as material culture, we study such subjects as religion, ethnicity and politics, religious minorities in the Middle East, the gradual separation of Church and State during the western Middle Ages, globalisation, migration and religion, the rise of private alongside public forms of worship, dissent and devotion during and after the Reformation and modernity and the twin reactions to it - secularism and fundamentalism. This specialisation seeks to combine a variety of historical approaches, including cultural anthropology, archaeology, philology and digital humanities.

You will learn about the latest methods and research from our experts in the field. The History department of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has a strong tradition in teaching and analysing the role of religion throughout history. The programme is taught by staff from the Chair of Religious History (Prof. Fred van Lieburg) and the Chair of Ancient History (Prof. Bas ter Haar Romeny).