Hymn books at church

Foundations of Christianity

How did the Bible come into existence? Why is Jesus referred to as the ‘Son of God’? And what does ‘ecumenism’ mean? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
Hymn books at church
Image: ijeab/freepik
Key facts
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Supplement to degree
minor in a multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
60
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institution
Faculty of TheologyThis link requires a login
Application & Deadlines

Programme content

We can only understand the present if we are aware of the past. That is why this study programme first deals with the history of Christianity before analysing the current role of theology for religion in church and society.

‘Foundations of Christianity’ is a field of study that brings together all six disciplines from the Faculty of Theology de: Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, Church History, Practical Theology with Religious Education, and Religious Studies.

This will give you a comprehensive insight into the history, significance and content of Christianity from the specific perspective of Protestantism. You will also study the Old and New Testament in the heartland of the Reformation.

Structure

minor subject

Graphic: Sophie Bartholome

The bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study is a total of six semesters, during which various forms of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or exercises) are offered for the individual modules.

A multi-subject bachelor’s programme consists of a major subject with 120 credit points (CP for short; 1 CP = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations) and a minor subject with 60 CP.

‘Foundations of Christianity’ is a minor subject that can be combined with almost all major subjects offered at the University of Jena (except ‘Christianity in Culture, History, and Education’).

How might your degree programme shape up?

There are three areas of specialization to choose from in this minor subject: You can choose between ‘History and Theology of Christianity’, ‘Biblical Studies’ or ‘Religion in Church and Society’ to match your major subject.

The following tables show the relevant modules for each focus. If you do not have the necessary language skills (except for German) at the start of your programme, you can learn the languages at the Faculty of Theology de during your studies.

I History and Theology of Christianity

Latin proficiency (Latinum) is required for this focus.

Semester Modules
1st – 2nd
  • Basics of Christian Theology I (10 CP)
  • History and Theology of Christian Doctrine II (10 CP)
3rd – 4th
  • Basics of Christian Theology II (10 CP)
  • History and Theology of Christian Ethics II (10 CP)
5th – 6th
  • Theology and Practice (10 CP)
  • Confessional Thinking in Protestant Traditions I (10 CP)

Abbreviations: CP = credit points

II Biblical Studies

Students must be proficient in Greek (Graecum) or Hebrew (Hebraicum) with knowledge of Greek; evidence of Latin proficiency must also be submitted (Latinum).

Semester Modules
1st – 2nd
  • History of Israel and Christian Origins (10 CP)
  • History and Theology of Christian Doctrine I (10 CP)
3rd – 4th
  • History and Theology of Christian Ethics I (10 CP)
  • Literature of the Old Testament and the New Testament (10 CP)

5th – 6th
  • Theology and Practice (10 CP)
  • Theologies of the Old Testament and the New Testament (10 CP)

Abbreviations: CP = credit points

III Religion in Church and Society

Latin proficiency is required (Latinum).

Semester Modules
1st – 2nd
  • Religion in Culture and Society I (10 CP)
  • Basics of Christian Theology I (10 CP)
3rd – 4th
  • Basics of Christian Theology III (10 CP)
  • Theories of Religious Education and its Application (10 CP)
5th – 6th
  • History and Theology of Christian Ethics III (10 CP)
  • Theories of Church Practice (10 CP)

Abbreviations: CP = credit points

More information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programme [in German]External link.

Why study in Jena?

  • research focus: Due to its Lutheran roots, the Faculty of Theology de plays a pioneering role in the preservation and research of Reformation heritage. The work of theologians at the University of Jena is characterized by research on key topics like ‘The Bible in the context of antiquity and the Orient’, ‘Reconciliation from a theological and ethical perspective’, ‘Religious education in the context of social change’, ‘Reformation and modernity’ and ‘Biblical and Lutheran theology in the church and society of today’.
  • excellent supervision: small seminar groups, great student commitment and teaching staff who are (almost) always available to answer questions in one-to-one conversations
  • cooperation with related disciplines: e.g. Ancient Oriental Studies, Classical Studies and Ancient History, Semitic Studies, Max Weber College at the University of Erfurt, Chair of Applied Ethics, South-East European Studies, and the Centre for Teacher Training and Educational Research at the University of Jena
  • quick internship placements: close cooperation with churches and specialist institutions in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt
  • adventures abroad: global network of partner universities, e.g. São Bento (Brazil), Stellenbosch (South Africa) and Sibiu (Romania)
  • important historical sites are not far from Jena, such as Eisenach and Wartburg CastleExternal link, ErfurtExternal link and WeimarExternal link.

A look behind the scenes

  • Students
    Image: M. Bleeke
    Change of perspective

    Your studies will fully immerse you in foreign cultures, eras, languages and reasoning in small seminar groups. Some of your classes may be held outside in summer, such as here at the Frommannscher Garten in Jena.

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What can you do after your studies?

Areas of employment for graduates

Chapel

Chapel

Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
  • institutes and associations of cultural and social life
  • special areas of art and exhibition industry
  • media, publishing, and public relations

Postgraduate master’s programmes at our University

  1. Christianity in Culture, History, and Education Master of Arts
    • Faculty of Theology
  2. Education ‐ Culture ‐ Anthropology Master of Arts
    • Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
  3. History of the Ancient World Master of Arts
    • Faculty of Arts
All degree programmes

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

  • basic knowledge of religious and ecclesiastical history
  • a keen interest in social affairs and church issues
  • enjoyment in reading and interpreting texts
  • interest in foreign cultures, eras, languages and reasoning

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Language requirements

    The study programme is taught in German. You must therefore have a very good command of German at the start of the study programme.

    Latin proficiency (Latinum)
    Greek proficiency (Graecum) or Hebrew proficiency (Hebraicum) plus knowledge of Greek are also required for the optional area of specialization in ‘Biblical Studies’. Students must submit evidence of their language skills (except German—see above) when registering the subject of their bachelor’s thesis at the latest

Contacts

Academic Advisor — Tommy Drexel

Room 108
Fürstengraben 6
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
by arrangement

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Carl-Zeiß-Platz 1
07743 Jena

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: Zoom – Video chat Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link