Study of Religion
Fribourg profile
In the modern age, religion, with its promises and perceived platitudes, is under suspicion of inhibiting endeavours to educate humans and speed up social progress. In the meantime, we live in a «religion friendly» society, characterised by new-found interest in «religious phenomena». So, the new role of religions in a pluralist and multicultural society is everything but clear. They provide potential for conflict and at the same time urge peace. They oppose secularisation and encourage it at the same time, as they are the expression of a confession and therefore promote neutralisation of the public.
The Faculty of Theology in Fribourg is the largest theology faculty in Switzerland and one of two Catholic theology faculties integrated into a state university. It is subject to national law, like the other University faculties, but in addition is acknowledged by the Church and is supported by the Dominican Order and the Swiss Bishops Conference.
The Faculty of Theology takes into consideration the variety of methods, but at the same time, as a science of faith, approaches religion as a confession and uses scientific resources to analyse and provide critical and constructive support to stimulate interreligious dialogue.
The Faculty of Theology offers study programmes which not only impart knowledge, but also lead to students clarifying and deepening their own position in the dialogue of religions and with religions.
Professors who are eligible to supervise theses
Biblical studies
- Prof. Luc Devillers
Areas of specialisation:
– Origins of Christianity
– Canonical gospels
- PD Dr. Philippe Hugo
Areas of specialisation:
– Hebrew Bible
– Greek Septuagint Bible
- Prof. Philippe Lefebvre
Areas of specialisation:
– Bible
– Relationship between the Bible (Christianity) and culture, the Bible and literature, cinema
- Prof. Thomas Schumacher
Areas of specialisation:
– Exegesis of the New Testament
- Prof. Hans-Ulrich Steymans
Areas of specialisation:
– Exegesis of the Old Testament
Patristics and Church History
- Prof. Mariano Delgado
Areas of specialisation:
– History of the Church
– Church and society in Latin America
– Church and society in Europe in general, with a focus on Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain
– Dialogue between religions
– Religion and violence
– Religion and migration
– Multiculturalism
– Christianity/Church and politics
- Adj.Prof. Gregor Emmenegger
Areas of specialisation:
– Patristics and the history of the Church
- Prof. Paul-Bernard Hodel
Areas of specialisation:
– History of the Church in the Middle Ages, modern and contemporary times
- Prof. Franz Mali
Areas of specialisation:
– Early Christianity
– History of Christianity in the East, particularly in the Middle East
Faith and Religious Studies, Philosophy
- Prof. Benoît-Dominique de La Soujeole
Areas of specialisation:
– Dogmatic theology
- Prof. Gilles Emery
Areas of specialisation:
– The question of God
– The Trinity
– Christ
– Creation
– The Christian vision of mankind
– Life after death
- Prof. Barbara Hallensleben
Areas of specialisation:
– Ecumenical questions
– Churches in the East
– Theology and spirituality of Churches in the East
– Questions on faith and the teachings of the Catholic Church
– Questions concerning the promotion of research
- Prof. Veronika Hoffmann
Areas of specialisation:
– Dogmatic theology
– German-language theological currents of the 20th century
– The theological reception of Charles Taylor and Paul Ricoeur
– The doctrine of salvation
– Faith and religious indifference
- Prof. Joachim Negel
Areas of specialisation:
– Fundamental theology
- Adj.Prof. François-Xavier Putallaz
Areas of specialisation:
– Ethical, bioethical and societal issues
- Adj.Prof. Bernard Schumacher
Areas of specialisation:
– Ethical, bioethical and societal issues
- Prof. Helmut Zander
Areas of specialisation:
– Comparative history of religions and interreligious dialogue
Moral theology and ethics
- Prof. Daniel Bogner
Areas of specialisation:
– General moral theology and ethics
- Prof. Thierry Collaud
Areas of specialisation:
– Special moral theology and Christian social ethics
- Prof. Hansjörg Schmid
Areas of specialisation:
– Islam and society, interreligious ethics
- Prof. Michael Sherwin
Areas of specialisation:
– Spirituality
– Moral development
– Virtue ethics
– The theology of charity
– Philosophy and psychology of love
- Adj.Prof. Markus Zimmermann
Areas of specialisation:
– Foundation of Christian social ethics
– Theological bioethics
– Equal distribution of health
– Decisions at the end of life
– Ethics of palliative care
– Work and social security
– Migration and integration
Practical theology
- Prof. François-Xavier Amherdt
Areas of specialisation:
– Pastoral issues
– Parishes and dioceses, religious education and catechism
– Theology and humanities, particularly psychology and sociology
– Public Relations
- Prof. Astrid Kaptijn
Areas of specialisation:
– Canon law
- Prof. Martin Klöckener
Areas of specialisation:
– Liturgy
– Worship
– Celebration of the Sacrements
– Litugical periods and celebrations, Church year
– Rites
– Prayer
– Piety
– Popular piety
– Liturgical space, construction and furnishing of churches
- Prof. Salvatore Loiero
Areas of specialisation:
– Pastoral theology
Studies organisation
Structure of studies
No ECTS credits can be earned.
Doctoral school
-
Admission
In order to be admitted to a doctorate the candidate must have been awarded an academic Bachelor's and Master's degree or an equivalent qualification by a university recognised by the University of Fribourg.
Before applying for a doctorate the candidate must contact a professor who would be willing to supervise the thesis work.
There is no general right to be admitted to a doctorate.
The respective conditions of admission for each doctoral study programme are reserved.