Profile Area
Profile Area

Religion and Society

The profile area “Religion and Society” investigates the complex interaction between religions and societies throughout history and across various cultures. This profile area is characterised by a broad range of diverse perspectives which draw on theological, legal, social scientific, historical, philosophical, linguistic, philological and religious scientific approaches. Several epoch-based centres and one cross-epochal centre provide opportunities for interdisciplinary investigation, while close collaboration with the Center for Digital Humanities (CDH) will serve to energise classical humanities research with the innovative methods of Digital Humanities. A unique institutional feature of the University of Münster is the Faculty of Islamic Theology which has evolved from joint projects conducted in this context and is currently under development. Joined by the Faculties of Protestant and Catholic Theology, the Faculty of Islamic Theology will conduct research and offer instruction on a new campus unlike any other in Germany with the aim of promoting interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and interreligious exchange.

The centrepiece of this profile area is the Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics”, established in 2007. This nationally and internationally distinguished institution for interdisciplinary religion-based research is one of the oldest clusters of excellence in Germany and provides important impulses to research efforts conducted in connection with the profile area. One of the focuses of the cluster in the current funding phase (2019-2025) is on analysing the “dynamics of tradition and innovation”. Particular attention is directed at the paradox that religions often develop their potential for innovation by drawing on their own traditions.