What is diaconia and how do Diaconia Studies relate to Theology? This course provides an introduction to diaconal and theological methods, and to the main theories and concepts of these academic fields. The course discusses the biblical and theological foundations of Diaconia Studies. The course traces the development of the diaconate and discusses contemporary tasks of diaconia in light of Theology.

The course is mostly designed for ordained ministry in the Lutheran Church of Iceland, but is also suitable as part of other professional studies of care, which use the methods and knowledge of spiritual care, such as social workers and nurses. 

In this course, the roles, methods and tools of pastoral and spiritual care are defined and discussed  how these tools apply to liturgy, discussions, mediation and group work. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to pastoral and spiritual care is sketched in relation to theories and practices of other academic fields, such as psychology of religion. Theories of grief and bereavement, challenges of old age, loneliness, trauma and growth are applied to concrete examples. The context and practices of pastoral and spiritual care is analyzed. The group goes to field trips and the course focuses on active engagement through role play and case study.

What impact does the New Testament have today? Is it good or bad? How should we approach religious texts like the writings of the New Testament that belong to an entirely different paradigm in terms of knowledge? What value and benefits can and should such texts have today? These are the general core questions that students in this course will address, on the basis of a number of New Testament texts that relate to select contemporary issues. Special attention is paid to social issues and questions of human rights that biblical texts have or have had an impact on, for better or for worse. Various aspects of fundamentalism in biblical interpretation will be addressed in search for appropriate academic responses to such approaches. Students will also address the question of the value and benefits of the New Testament in our society, whether for individuals or in a professional context, for instance, related to social welfare or pastoral care.

This graduate course analyzes culture, history and traditions of the church denominations from academic concepts and methods of ecumenical theology, World Christianity, missiology and sociology of religion. The course addresses dogmas, organization, issues and practices of majority churches and movements in the world. The course discusses the work of church denominations in Iceland and the development of legislation regulating religious communities. Finally, the course discusses the relations between World Christianity, ecumenical bodies and mission in and between church denominations.

How do social changes affect religion and religious traditions?  How can these changes be detected in Nordic countries in the first decades of the 21^st century? In the course students will look at baptism from the perspective of these changes and consider qualitative and quantitative surveys.  They will explore how Nordic majority churches have responded to the changes, both when it comes to the ritual itself and the conversation with the larger public including ecotheological and ecumenical challenges.  

What are the different roles played out in preparing and conducting a Lutheran worship service? Each service builds on  the complex interaction between church rituals, church music, diakonia and homiletics. In the service, experts and volunteers come together in diverse leadership roles and complex collaboration.  The course is vocational and practical and has two different foci. It focuses on the one hand on singing together and learning about liturgical music, and, on the other, on  the preparation and performance of a worship service. Undergraduate and graduate students are taught side by side in courses, but graduate students take on larger leadership responsibilities and go deeper into hymnological scholarship than the undergraduates. In the singing part of the course, the focus is on singing-along with others, vocal training and training in liturgy and hymnody. The cultural heritage of the hymnody will be introduced.  In the project management part of the course, students learn long time planning of events, and to work together in groups to plan the service, articulation, enunciation and to plan a worship service on the public radio. The course is a restricted elective course for students in vocational training to become pastors or deacons, but a free elective course for other students who want to get a deeper understanding of worship and Church music, such as students in Church music or singing.

Attn: This elective course cannot be taken instead of the compulsory course GFR076F Liturgy and Hymnology.

Is Islam the biggest threat that the world faces today? Every day, headline news reports on violence in the Muslim World. Is there something in this faith that makes it so newsworthy? And how did it get that way? This course will consider the political and cultural history of Islam and the development of its major institutions and ideas. The emergence of the religion will be explored with special attention to the Prophet Muhammad's life and career. The Qur'an's central message will be considered. What world view does it promote and what is its concept of justice? How does the Qur'an propose to solve contemporary problems? Does it/should it have relevance today? We will also explore the role of Sharia with special attention to the status of women. A major component of this course will be to evaluate Islam in today's world especially the emergence of radical Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda and the experience of Muslim minorities in Western societies. We will explore whether it is possible or feasible to intertwine Islam with our modern societies. Finally, in light of Islam's past, we will speculate about its possible future trajectories.  Students will write a 10-12 page paper and keep an online journal during the semester.

Ethics and Sexuality

Liberal theologies of the 20^th century often called for more tolerance of LGBTIQ+ people in religious and church contexts. Instead of heteronormative tolerance, queer theologies put the focus on the binary structures that classify and subordinate people into male and female, hetero and homo, cis and trans etc. When queer theories, theology and theological ethics of sexuality are put in dialogue the dialogue presumes full acceptance and inclusion of the experiences, culture and practices of LGBTIQ+ people in theology and the life of the churches. Thus, queer theologies offer critique of heteronormativity and binary structures in practices and institutions of church and academy and and offer constructive approaches to a wider understanding of sexuality and gender expression in the context of theology and religious institutions.

The course content is related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in various ways, especially Goals 3, 5 and 16.

Deacons undertake many tasks that need a good understanding of hymns and rituals, for example in care and counselling and Christian education. They attend to the specific diaconal aspects of the Sunday liturgy and often supervise the volunteers that take part. The two main objects of the course are liturgy and hymnology. Liturgy is the field that explores the theology of Christian rituals, the history of the service and the rituals of transition.  The second is hymnology, which is the field that explores the hymnal tradition , the history of hymns, theology and role in Christian religious life and rituals. The course gives base exercises in articulation, singing the liturgy and liturgical movements, as well as discussing collaboration and organization of liturgical work. The course is aimed at students planning to work as deacons in the Lutheran church of Iceland, but given certain requirements also fit other denominations and congregations.   The course is mandatory for mag. diac. studies students.

In 1900, nearly 80% of the world’s Christians were located in Europe and North America. By 2013, this number had dropped to less than 35% as church membership declined in Europe and the United States and grew dramatically in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In the course, students explore the historical events and trends behind this dramatic shift and consider their implications for the global church today and in the future.

Teacher: Leah Rumsey

An overview and exploration of the traditions of the Pentateuch. Analysisnof 20 selected passages from Genesis and Exodus. Emphasis onninterpretation in the light of the present. The original Hebrew texts will be consulted.

The aim of this course is to give an insight into Ecumenical Theology and to enhance the understanding of methods and practices in the field of interchurch relations.

The main goal of this course is that students gain knowledge and understanding of Ecumenical Theology, relations and practices. Theological factors that form the common ideological foundation of Christian churches are investigated but also those who separate, especially from the perspective of Lutheran theology. A special emphasis is placed on methods of interchurch relations, for example, common religious practice. Theories of relations that may apply to such cooperation are explored. Interfaith cooperation will also be studied to the extent to which such relations overlap with interchurch relations.

The course is mostly designed for ordained ministry in the Lutheran Church of Iceland, but is also suitable as part of other professional studies of care, which use the methods and knowledge of spiritual care, such as social workers and nurses. 

In this course, the roles, methods and tools of pastoral and spiritual care are defined and discussed  how these tools apply to liturgy, discussions, mediation and group work. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to pastoral and spiritual care is sketched in relation to theories and practices of other academic fields, such as psychology of religion. Theories of grief and bereavement, challenges of old age, loneliness, trauma and growth are applied to concrete examples. The context and practices of pastoral and spiritual care is analyzed. The group goes to field trips and the course focuses on active engagement through role play and case study.

What impact does the New Testament have today? Is it good or bad? How should we approach religious texts like the writings of the New Testament that belong to an entirely different paradigm in terms of knowledge? What value and benefits can and should such texts have today? These are the general core questions that students in this course will address, on the basis of a number of New Testament texts that relate to select contemporary issues. Special attention is paid to social issues and questions of human rights that biblical texts have or have had an impact on, for better or for worse. Various aspects of fundamentalism in biblical interpretation will be addressed in search for appropriate academic responses to such approaches. Students will also address the question of the value and benefits of the New Testament in our society, whether for individuals or in a professional context, for instance, related to social welfare or pastoral care.

This graduate course analyzes culture, history and traditions of the church denominations from academic concepts and methods of ecumenical theology, World Christianity, missiology and sociology of religion. The course addresses dogmas, organization, issues and practices of majority churches and movements in the world. The course discusses the work of church denominations in Iceland and the development of legislation regulating religious communities. Finally, the course discusses the relations between World Christianity, ecumenical bodies and mission in and between church denominations.

How do social changes affect religion and religious traditions?  How can these changes be detected in Nordic countries in the first decades of the 21^st century? In the course students will look at baptism from the perspective of these changes and consider qualitative and quantitative surveys.  They will explore how Nordic majority churches have responded to the changes, both when it comes to the ritual itself and the conversation with the larger public including ecotheological and ecumenical challenges.  

What are the different roles played out in preparing and conducting a Lutheran worship service? Each service builds on  the complex interaction between church rituals, church music, diakonia and homiletics. In the service, experts and volunteers come together in diverse leadership roles and complex collaboration.  The course is vocational and practical and has two different foci. It focuses on the one hand on singing together and learning about liturgical music, and, on the other, on  the preparation and performance of a worship service. Undergraduate and graduate students are taught side by side in courses, but graduate students take on larger leadership responsibilities and go deeper into hymnological scholarship than the undergraduates. In the singing part of the course, the focus is on singing-along with others, vocal training and training in liturgy and hymnody. The cultural heritage of the hymnody will be introduced.  In the project management part of the course, students learn long time planning of events, and to work together in groups to plan the service, articulation, enunciation and to plan a worship service on the public radio. The course is a restricted elective course for students in vocational training to become pastors or deacons, but a free elective course for other students who want to get a deeper understanding of worship and Church music, such as students in Church music or singing.

Attn: This elective course cannot be taken instead of the compulsory course GFR076F Liturgy and Hymnology.

Is Islam the biggest threat that the world faces today? Every day, headline news reports on violence in the Muslim World. Is there something in this faith that makes it so newsworthy? And how did it get that way? This course will consider the political and cultural history of Islam and the development of its major institutions and ideas. The emergence of the religion will be explored with special attention to the Prophet Muhammad's life and career. The Qur'an's central message will be considered. What world view does it promote and what is its concept of justice? How does the Qur'an propose to solve contemporary problems? Does it/should it have relevance today? We will also explore the role of Sharia with special attention to the status of women. A major component of this course will be to evaluate Islam in today's world especially the emergence of radical Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda and the experience of Muslim minorities in Western societies. We will explore whether it is possible or feasible to intertwine Islam with our modern societies. Finally, in light of Islam's past, we will speculate about its possible future trajectories.  Students will write a 10-12 page paper and keep an online journal during the semester.

Ethics and Sexuality

Liberal theologies of the 20^th century often called for more tolerance of LGBTIQ+ people in religious and church contexts. Instead of heteronormative tolerance, queer theologies put the focus on the binary structures that classify and subordinate people into male and female, hetero and homo, cis and trans etc. When queer theories, theology and theological ethics of sexuality are put in dialogue the dialogue presumes full acceptance and inclusion of the experiences, culture and practices of LGBTIQ+ people in theology and the life of the churches. Thus, queer theologies offer critique of heteronormativity and binary structures in practices and institutions of church and academy and and offer constructive approaches to a wider understanding of sexuality and gender expression in the context of theology and religious institutions.

The course content is related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in various ways, especially Goals 3, 5 and 16.

Deacons undertake many tasks that need a good understanding of hymns and rituals, for example in care and counselling and Christian education. They attend to the specific diaconal aspects of the Sunday liturgy and often supervise the volunteers that take part. The two main objects of the course are liturgy and hymnology. Liturgy is the field that explores the theology of Christian rituals, the history of the service and the rituals of transition.  The second is hymnology, which is the field that explores the hymnal tradition , the history of hymns, theology and role in Christian religious life and rituals. The course gives base exercises in articulation, singing the liturgy and liturgical movements, as well as discussing collaboration and organization of liturgical work. The course is aimed at students planning to work as deacons in the Lutheran church of Iceland, but given certain requirements also fit other denominations and congregations.   The course is mandatory for mag. diac. studies students.

In 1900, nearly 80% of the world’s Christians were located in Europe and North America. By 2013, this number had dropped to less than 35% as church membership declined in Europe and the United States and grew dramatically in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In the course, students explore the historical events and trends behind this dramatic shift and consider their implications for the global church today and in the future.

Teacher: Leah Rumsey

An overview and exploration of the traditions of the Pentateuch. Analysisnof 20 selected passages from Genesis and Exodus. Emphasis onninterpretation in the light of the present. The original Hebrew texts will be consulted.

The aim of this course is to give an insight into Ecumenical Theology and to enhance the understanding of methods and practices in the field of interchurch relations.

The main goal of this course is that students gain knowledge and understanding of Ecumenical Theology, relations and practices. Theological factors that form the common ideological foundation of Christian churches are investigated but also those who separate, especially from the perspective of Lutheran theology. A special emphasis is placed on methods of interchurch relations, for example, common religious practice. Theories of relations that may apply to such cooperation are explored. Interfaith cooperation will also be studied to the extent to which such relations overlap with interchurch relations.

The course is an option for those mag.theol. students who wish to complete a master’s project instead of the final thesis for mag.theol. exam. The option is between two kinds of projects, on the one hand a practical evaluation project or developmental project, and, on the other hand, educational material relevant to the respecitve discipline/field. The aim of the course is to enhance and show the skills of the student to work independently, to organize and explain the subject in question, and to apply academic resources in a scientifically respected manner. The final project for the mag.diac. degree must be 10,000–15,000 words.

The final thesis for mag.diac. exam is an individual study that the student carries out independently under the guidance of a supervisor. The supervisor is usually chosen from among permanent teachers of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies. The student is responsible for the choice of subject, but the decision is made in consultation with the supervisor. The final thesis for the mag.diac. degree must be 10,000–15,000 words.

What is diaconia and how do Diaconia Studies relate to Theology? This course provides an introduction to diaconal and theological methods, and to the main theories and concepts of these academic fields. The course discusses the biblical and theological foundations of Diaconia Studies. The course traces the development of the diaconate and discusses contemporary tasks of diaconia in light of Theology.

The course is mostly designed for ordained ministry in the Lutheran Church of Iceland, but is also suitable as part of other professional studies of care, which use the methods and knowledge of spiritual care, such as social workers and nurses. 

In this course, the roles, methods and tools of pastoral and spiritual care are defined and discussed  how these tools apply to liturgy, discussions, mediation and group work. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to pastoral and spiritual care is sketched in relation to theories and practices of other academic fields, such as psychology of religion. Theories of grief and bereavement, challenges of old age, loneliness, trauma and growth are applied to concrete examples. The context and practices of pastoral and spiritual care is analyzed. The group goes to field trips and the course focuses on active engagement through role play and case study.

What impact does the New Testament have today? Is it good or bad? How should we approach religious texts like the writings of the New Testament that belong to an entirely different paradigm in terms of knowledge? What value and benefits can and should such texts have today? These are the general core questions that students in this course will address, on the basis of a number of New Testament texts that relate to select contemporary issues. Special attention is paid to social issues and questions of human rights that biblical texts have or have had an impact on, for better or for worse. Various aspects of fundamentalism in biblical interpretation will be addressed in search for appropriate academic responses to such approaches. Students will also address the question of the value and benefits of the New Testament in our society, whether for individuals or in a professional context, for instance, related to social welfare or pastoral care.

This graduate course analyzes culture, history and traditions of the church denominations from academic concepts and methods of ecumenical theology, World Christianity, missiology and sociology of religion. The course addresses dogmas, organization, issues and practices of majority churches and movements in the world. The course discusses the work of church denominations in Iceland and the development of legislation regulating religious communities. Finally, the course discusses the relations between World Christianity, ecumenical bodies and mission in and between church denominations.

How do social changes affect religion and religious traditions?  How can these changes be detected in Nordic countries in the first decades of the 21^st century? In the course students will look at baptism from the perspective of these changes and consider qualitative and quantitative surveys.  They will explore how Nordic majority churches have responded to the changes, both when it comes to the ritual itself and the conversation with the larger public including ecotheological and ecumenical challenges.  

What are the different roles played out in preparing and conducting a Lutheran worship service? Each service builds on  the complex interaction between church rituals, church music, diakonia and homiletics. In the service, experts and volunteers come together in diverse leadership roles and complex collaboration.  The course is vocational and practical and has two different foci. It focuses on the one hand on singing together and learning about liturgical music, and, on the other, on  the preparation and performance of a worship service. Undergraduate and graduate students are taught side by side in courses, but graduate students take on larger leadership responsibilities and go deeper into hymnological scholarship than the undergraduates. In the singing part of the course, the focus is on singing-along with others, vocal training and training in liturgy and hymnody. The cultural heritage of the hymnody will be introduced.  In the project management part of the course, students learn long time planning of events, and to work together in groups to plan the service, articulation, enunciation and to plan a worship service on the public radio. The course is a restricted elective course for students in vocational training to become pastors or deacons, but a free elective course for other students who want to get a deeper understanding of worship and Church music, such as students in Church music or singing.

Attn: This elective course cannot be taken instead of the compulsory course GFR076F Liturgy and Hymnology.

Is Islam the biggest threat that the world faces today? Every day, headline news reports on violence in the Muslim World. Is there something in this faith that makes it so newsworthy? And how did it get that way? This course will consider the political and cultural history of Islam and the development of its major institutions and ideas. The emergence of the religion will be explored with special attention to the Prophet Muhammad's life and career. The Qur'an's central message will be considered. What world view does it promote and what is its concept of justice? How does the Qur'an propose to solve contemporary problems? Does it/should it have relevance today? We will also explore the role of Sharia with special attention to the status of women. A major component of this course will be to evaluate Islam in today's world especially the emergence of radical Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda and the experience of Muslim minorities in Western societies. We will explore whether it is possible or feasible to intertwine Islam with our modern societies. Finally, in light of Islam's past, we will speculate about its possible future trajectories.  Students will write a 10-12 page paper and keep an online journal during the semester.

Ethics and Sexuality

Liberal theologies of the 20^th century often called for more tolerance of LGBTIQ+ people in religious and church contexts. Instead of heteronormative tolerance, queer theologies put the focus on the binary structures that classify and subordinate people into male and female, hetero and homo, cis and trans etc. When queer theories, theology and theological ethics of sexuality are put in dialogue the dialogue presumes full acceptance and inclusion of the experiences, culture and practices of LGBTIQ+ people in theology and the life of the churches. Thus, queer theologies offer critique of heteronormativity and binary structures in practices and institutions of church and academy and and offer constructive approaches to a wider understanding of sexuality and gender expression in the context of theology and religious institutions.

The course content is related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in various ways, especially Goals 3, 5 and 16.

Deacons undertake many tasks that need a good understanding of hymns and rituals, for example in care and counselling and Christian education. They attend to the specific diaconal aspects of the Sunday liturgy and often supervise the volunteers that take part. The two main objects of the course are liturgy and hymnology. Liturgy is the field that explores the theology of Christian rituals, the history of the service and the rituals of transition.  The second is hymnology, which is the field that explores the hymnal tradition , the history of hymns, theology and role in Christian religious life and rituals. The course gives base exercises in articulation, singing the liturgy and liturgical movements, as well as discussing collaboration and organization of liturgical work. The course is aimed at students planning to work as deacons in the Lutheran church of Iceland, but given certain requirements also fit other denominations and congregations.   The course is mandatory for mag. diac. studies students.

In 1900, nearly 80% of the world’s Christians were located in Europe and North America. By 2013, this number had dropped to less than 35% as church membership declined in Europe and the United States and grew dramatically in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In the course, students explore the historical events and trends behind this dramatic shift and consider their implications for the global church today and in the future.

Teacher: Leah Rumsey

An overview and exploration of the traditions of the Pentateuch. Analysisnof 20 selected passages from Genesis and Exodus. Emphasis onninterpretation in the light of the present. The original Hebrew texts will be consulted.

The aim of this course is to give an insight into Ecumenical Theology and to enhance the understanding of methods and practices in the field of interchurch relations.

The main goal of this course is that students gain knowledge and understanding of Ecumenical Theology, relations and practices. Theological factors that form the common ideological foundation of Christian churches are investigated but also those who separate, especially from the perspective of Lutheran theology. A special emphasis is placed on methods of interchurch relations, for example, common religious practice. Theories of relations that may apply to such cooperation are explored. Interfaith cooperation will also be studied to the extent to which such relations overlap with interchurch relations.

The course is mostly designed for ordained ministry in the Lutheran Church of Iceland, but is also suitable as part of other professional studies of care, which use the methods and knowledge of spiritual care, such as social workers and nurses. 

In this course, the roles, methods and tools of pastoral and spiritual care are defined and discussed  how these tools apply to liturgy, discussions, mediation and group work. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to pastoral and spiritual care is sketched in relation to theories and practices of other academic fields, such as psychology of religion. Theories of grief and bereavement, challenges of old age, loneliness, trauma and growth are applied to concrete examples. The context and practices of pastoral and spiritual care is analyzed. The group goes to field trips and the course focuses on active engagement through role play and case study.

What impact does the New Testament have today? Is it good or bad? How should we approach religious texts like the writings of the New Testament that belong to an entirely different paradigm in terms of knowledge? What value and benefits can and should such texts have today? These are the general core questions that students in this course will address, on the basis of a number of New Testament texts that relate to select contemporary issues. Special attention is paid to social issues and questions of human rights that biblical texts have or have had an impact on, for better or for worse. Various aspects of fundamentalism in biblical interpretation will be addressed in search for appropriate academic responses to such approaches. Students will also address the question of the value and benefits of the New Testament in our society, whether for individuals or in a professional context, for instance, related to social welfare or pastoral care.

This graduate course analyzes culture, history and traditions of the church denominations from academic concepts and methods of ecumenical theology, World Christianity, missiology and sociology of religion. The course addresses dogmas, organization, issues and practices of majority churches and movements in the world. The course discusses the work of church denominations in Iceland and the development of legislation regulating religious communities. Finally, the course discusses the relations between World Christianity, ecumenical bodies and mission in and between church denominations.

How do social changes affect religion and religious traditions?  How can these changes be detected in Nordic countries in the first decades of the 21^st century? In the course students will look at baptism from the perspective of these changes and consider qualitative and quantitative surveys.  They will explore how Nordic majority churches have responded to the changes, both when it comes to the ritual itself and the conversation with the larger public including ecotheological and ecumenical challenges.  

What are the different roles played out in preparing and conducting a Lutheran worship service? Each service builds on  the complex interaction between church rituals, church music, diakonia and homiletics. In the service, experts and volunteers come together in diverse leadership roles and complex collaboration.  The course is vocational and practical and has two different foci. It focuses on the one hand on singing together and learning about liturgical music, and, on the other, on  the preparation and performance of a worship service. Undergraduate and graduate students are taught side by side in courses, but graduate students take on larger leadership responsibilities and go deeper into hymnological scholarship than the undergraduates. In the singing part of the course, the focus is on singing-along with others, vocal training and training in liturgy and hymnody. The cultural heritage of the hymnody will be introduced.  In the project management part of the course, students learn long time planning of events, and to work together in groups to plan the service, articulation, enunciation and to plan a worship service on the public radio. The course is a restricted elective course for students in vocational training to become pastors or deacons, but a free elective course for other students who want to get a deeper understanding of worship and Church music, such as students in Church music or singing.

Attn: This elective course cannot be taken instead of the compulsory course GFR076F Liturgy and Hymnology.

Is Islam the biggest threat that the world faces today? Every day, headline news reports on violence in the Muslim World. Is there something in this faith that makes it so newsworthy? And how did it get that way? This course will consider the political and cultural history of Islam and the development of its major institutions and ideas. The emergence of the religion will be explored with special attention to the Prophet Muhammad's life and career. The Qur'an's central message will be considered. What world view does it promote and what is its concept of justice? How does the Qur'an propose to solve contemporary problems? Does it/should it have relevance today? We will also explore the role of Sharia with special attention to the status of women. A major component of this course will be to evaluate Islam in today's world especially the emergence of radical Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda and the experience of Muslim minorities in Western societies. We will explore whether it is possible or feasible to intertwine Islam with our modern societies. Finally, in light of Islam's past, we will speculate about its possible future trajectories.  Students will write a 10-12 page paper and keep an online journal during the semester.

Ethics and Sexuality

Liberal theologies of the 20^th century often called for more tolerance of LGBTIQ+ people in religious and church contexts. Instead of heteronormative tolerance, queer theologies put the focus on the binary structures that classify and subordinate people into male and female, hetero and homo, cis and trans etc. When queer theories, theology and theological ethics of sexuality are put in dialogue the dialogue presumes full acceptance and inclusion of the experiences, culture and practices of LGBTIQ+ people in theology and the life of the churches. Thus, queer theologies offer critique of heteronormativity and binary structures in practices and institutions of church and academy and and offer constructive approaches to a wider understanding of sexuality and gender expression in the context of theology and religious institutions.

The course content is related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in various ways, especially Goals 3, 5 and 16.

Deacons undertake many tasks that need a good understanding of hymns and rituals, for example in care and counselling and Christian education. They attend to the specific diaconal aspects of the Sunday liturgy and often supervise the volunteers that take part. The two main objects of the course are liturgy and hymnology. Liturgy is the field that explores the theology of Christian rituals, the history of the service and the rituals of transition.  The second is hymnology, which is the field that explores the hymnal tradition , the history of hymns, theology and role in Christian religious life and rituals. The course gives base exercises in articulation, singing the liturgy and liturgical movements, as well as discussing collaboration and organization of liturgical work. The course is aimed at students planning to work as deacons in the Lutheran church of Iceland, but given certain requirements also fit other denominations and congregations.   The course is mandatory for mag. diac. studies students.

In 1900, nearly 80% of the world’s Christians were located in Europe and North America. By 2013, this number had dropped to less than 35% as church membership declined in Europe and the United States and grew dramatically in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In the course, students explore the historical events and trends behind this dramatic shift and consider their implications for the global church today and in the future.

Teacher: Leah Rumsey

An overview and exploration of the traditions of the Pentateuch. Analysisnof 20 selected passages from Genesis and Exodus. Emphasis onninterpretation in the light of the present. The original Hebrew texts will be consulted.

The aim of this course is to give an insight into Ecumenical Theology and to enhance the understanding of methods and practices in the field of interchurch relations.

The main goal of this course is that students gain knowledge and understanding of Ecumenical Theology, relations and practices. Theological factors that form the common ideological foundation of Christian churches are investigated but also those who separate, especially from the perspective of Lutheran theology. A special emphasis is placed on methods of interchurch relations, for example, common religious practice. Theories of relations that may apply to such cooperation are explored. Interfaith cooperation will also be studied to the extent to which such relations overlap with interchurch relations.

The course is an option for those mag.theol. students who wish to complete a master’s project instead of the final thesis for mag.theol. exam. The option is between two kinds of projects, on the one hand a practical evaluation project or developmental project, and, on the other hand, educational material relevant to the respecitve discipline/field. The aim of the course is to enhance and show the skills of the student to work independently, to organize and explain the subject in question, and to apply academic resources in a scientifically respected manner. The final project for the mag.diac. degree must be 10,000–15,000 words.

The final thesis for mag.diac. exam is an individual study that the student carries out independently under the guidance of a supervisor. The supervisor is usually chosen from among permanent teachers of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies. The student is responsible for the choice of subject, but the decision is made in consultation with the supervisor. The final thesis for the mag.diac. degree must be 10,000–15,000 words.