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
no NC
Supplement to degree
minor in a multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
60
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 265,60
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institution
Application & Deadlines

Content of the study programme

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 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 study 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.

Behind the scenes

Image: M. Bleeke
Students
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.

What can you do after your studies?

Chapel Chapel Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

Areas of employment for graduates

  • 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

Master of Arts
Education ‐ Culture ‐ Anthropology
Master of Arts
Christianity in Culture, History, and Education
Master of Arts
History of the Ancient World

Downloads and links for the study programme

What are the personal requirements?

  • 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

Subject-specific academic advisory service — Vice-Dean and Dean of Student Affairs Prof. Dr Hannes Bezzel
Room 104
Fürstengraben 6
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
+49 3641 9-42715 +49 3641 9-42914
hannes.bezzel@uni-jena.de
Opening hours:
by arrangement
Subject-specific academic advisory service — Tommy Drexel
Room 108
Fürstengraben 6
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
+49 3641 9-42603
tommy.drexel@uni-jena.de
Opening hours:
by arrangement
Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations
Carl-Zeiß-Platz 1
07743 Jena
+49 3641 9-411999
To Service-Desk
More information
Opening hours:
Please contact us by phone or via our ticket system.

Telephone enquiries:
Monday und Friday 9:00 to 11:00
Wednesday 13:00 to 15:00

The ASPA is mainly responsible for students at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Theology.
Central Student Advisory Service
University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
+49 3641 9-411200 +49 3641 9-411111
To Service-Desk
To the advisory services
Office hours:
We offer consultations and the handling of your concerns in person, via video chat or telephone. Appointments can be made by phone or via service desk.

Consultation hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 12:20, Tuesday 14:00 to 18:00 and on Wednesday and Thursday from 14:00 to 16:00.
Video chat:
Videochat Zeiten
Monday to Friday 12.30 to 13:00
Videochat Passwort
ZSB2020
Student Service Centre
University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
+49 3641 9-411111 +49 3641 9-411112
To Service-Desk
More information
Opening hours:
Monday 10 - 12
Tuesday 13 - 15
Wednesday 10 - 12
Thursday 13 - 15
Friday 10 - 12

Updates / adjustments may occur at any time. Thank you for your understanding!

We currently provide advice and handle your concern solely also via phone and service desk.

You can reach us by phone
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 11:00
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena
International Office - Stay abroad
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
outgoing@uni-jena.de

Additional services