Religious Roots of Europe: The Emergence of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

This course offers a thoughtful exploration of the formative periods of rabbinic Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, eras that shaped the foundations of these enduring traditions. Through a close study of key historical developments, sacred texts, beliefs, and practices, you will gain insight into how each tradition emerged and evolved in conversation with the others.

Particular attention is given to the dynamic interactions between Jews, Christians, and Muslims up to the 9th century. From the gradual “partings of the ways” between Judaism and Christianity to the rise of Islam, you will examine how encounters, both cooperative and contested, played a vital role in shaping religious identities and theological frameworks. By tracing these early interreligious relationships, you will not only deepen your understanding of each tradition but also gain a broader perspective on how religious identities are formed, challenged, and transformed over time.

This course is ideal for those seeking a nuanced and historically grounded understanding of the roots of three of the world’s major religions, and the ways in which their stories are deeply interconnected.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

This course is designed to offer both flexibility and structure, combining online learning with in-person engagement. A significant portion of the teaching takes place online, supported by a digital learning platform. In addition to the online components, the course includes an intensive on-campus teaching session with several days of immersive lectures and seminars that offer space for deeper discussion and reflection.

Throughout the course, you will complete approximately eight written assignments, which are essential for both learning and assessment.

The assessment is based on the completion of written assignments and a take-home exam. This format supports thoughtful engagement with the material and allows students to demonstrate their understanding in a reflective and structured way.

The course is a component of the Master's (120 credits) programme Religious Roots of Europe. It can also be studied as a freestanding course.

Prerequisites

Bachelor's degree in theology, religious studies, classical philology, classical archaeology or history.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 33,750
First payment: SEK 33,750

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.