Institute for Religious Studies

Lecture by Prof. Dr. Inken Prohl "Vom Verlust der sozialen Realitäten von Religionen – Kennzeichen einer 'woken' Religionswissenschaft" as part of the online lecture series "Wissenschaftsfreiheit: Voraussetzungen – Einschränkungen – Verteidigung" (19.12.2022). Let´s research together The weekly program provides assistance in using science information resources. Getting Started - Introduction of the library of the Institute for Religious Studies This monthly event aims to provide information about the services offered by the Institute's library.

The Institute for Religious Studies offers an event to introduce students to their studies and the university, as well as to provide orientation in the study of Religious Studies. Participation is strongly recommended for all first-year students of Religious Studies, as it complements the obligatory visit to the departmental student advisory service. Further information is available here.

The Institute for Religious Studies runs a mailing list which regularly informs about current announcements, event et.c. To join our mailing list, please contac administration via email. Students that have taken part in the introductory course for first semester students and filled out the attendance sheet will automatically be added to the mailing list.

Religious Studies in Heidelberg

At the Institute for Religious Studies at Heidelberg University both history of religion and current religious developments are subject of teaching and research. The approaches followed in Heidelberg are based in a cultural studies perspective; religious beliefs, practices and materials are products of historical developments, which have to be considered in their respective historical, cultural and societal contexts. Questions of general as well as period-specific religious history and contemporary religious developments are equally considered in research and teaching.

History of Religious Studies in Heidelberg

The subject religious studies was established at Heidelberg University in 1967 with the initial professorship of Günter Lanczkowski (1917-1993). In 1978 this initial professorship was transformed into a full chair in religious history at the Faculty of Philosophy and History, now the Faculty of Philosophy. After the retirement of Günter Lanczkowski in 1982 the professorship remained vacant.

Female Social Realities

Religious studies as a subject draws legitimacy not least from the fact that its perspective is one of cultural studies. Cultural studies takes positions of actors as part of discourses leading to the production of 'reality'. This 'reality' is then contextualized by scholars of religious studies. Contextualizations show the historical conditionality and relativity of reality. Alternative possibilities in historical developments become visible. As a consequence, the status quo can be challenged since it no longer appears as a product of fate or destiny.