Thematic Modules

Students taking the Master of Theology degree specialise in the thematic module Religion and Diversity. Humanities students specialise in two thematic modules of their choice. All students may select one additional module for their optional studies.

The thematic modules in ICE are:

• Re­li­gion and Diversity
• Know­ledge, Decolonisation and Change
• Com­mu­nic­a­tion and Me­dia
• Global Transfers

The module Religion and Diversity prepares students to carry out critical analyses of the role of religion in local, national, international and/or global contexts. The study track analyzes the role of religions in identity formation and social and cultural processes. Historical, ethical, and political perspectives are covered. Comparative approaches and different methods are applied. The study track comprises 6 study units.

• Historical Roots of Religious Diversity  
• Dynamics of Religion, Media and Technology 
• Religious Identities and Traditions  
• Religion and Politics 
• Religion, Ethics and Dialogue 
• Comparative Encounters in Religions 

The thematic module of Knowledge, Decolonisation and Change focuses on global epistemological diversity and offers new skills for more inclusive knowledge-production. You will gain new insights into local and place-based knowledge, human-environment interactions, and ethical research. Within a decolonising perspective, this thematic module also offers novel methodological tools for participatory and more transformative research. Your expertise will extend, for example, to Indigenous societies’ philosophies, concepts, and power relations in a global perspective.

Courses within this theme cover topics such as: 

• Knowledge diversity, Education, and New Dialogues
• Cultural Understandings of the Environment and Solving Environmental Conflicts
• Transformative and Collaborative Research Methods

The thematic module of Communication and Media focuses on practical intercultural communication situations and processes, as well as on cultural beliefs and values present and produced in communication and social relationships. You will also learn to analyse relationships between culture, media and power, both in traditional mass media and present-day social media.

The topics covered in this theme's courses include:

• Media Culture
• Intercultural Communication
• Language Ideology
• Cultural and Interpersonal Communication

This module explores global transfers, applying interdisciplinary perspectives and focusing on social, political and cultural encounters. Major characteristics of complex global transfers include their multidirectional nature, their ability to affect change through encounter, and their complex relation to global cohesion and conflict. The module will enable students to develop an understanding of the entanglement of local, national, regional, transnational and global dimensions and global flows at large.

Courses within this theme cover topics such as: 

• Social Encounters
• Political Encounters
• Cultural Encounters