The aim of the course is to provide students with a more comprehensive and deeper insight into the different theoretical approaches within the humanities. In the course, the main theories that have influenced theoretical discussion in the humanities over the last decades will be presented and discussed, and the students are taught how to apply them in their own research.

The individual project for 10 credits involves a self-directed project defined in consultation with a supervisor. It should involve c. 240 hours of work.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

Ethics and Sexuality

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.

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.

The individual project for 10 credits involves a self-directed project defined in consultation with a supervisor. It should involve c. 240 hours of work.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

Ethics and Sexuality

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.

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.

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is). 

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is). 

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is). 

The aim of the course is to provide students with a more comprehensive and deeper insight into the different theoretical approaches within the humanities. In the course, the main theories that have influenced theoretical discussion in the humanities over the last decades will be presented and discussed, and the students are taught how to apply them in their own research.

The individual project for 10 credits involves a self-directed project defined in consultation with a supervisor. It should involve c. 240 hours of work.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

Ethics and Sexuality

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.

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.

The individual project for 10 credits involves a self-directed project defined in consultation with a supervisor. It should involve c. 240 hours of work.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

Ethics and Sexuality

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.

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.

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is). 

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is). 

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is). 

The aim of the course is to provide students with a more comprehensive and deeper insight into the different theoretical approaches within the humanities. In the course, the main theories that have influenced theoretical discussion in the humanities over the last decades will be presented and discussed, and the students are taught how to apply them in their own research.

The individual project for 10 credits involves a self-directed project defined in consultation with a supervisor. It should involve c. 240 hours of work.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

Ethics and Sexuality

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.

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.

The individual project for 10 credits involves a self-directed project defined in consultation with a supervisor. It should involve c. 240 hours of work.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

Ethics and Sexuality

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.

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.

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is). 

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is). 

The Master´s thesis in Theology shall be 20.000-30.000 words. The thesis focuses on a distinct problem or scope on which the student applies an academic method. The introduction shall include the topic, research questions and method. The conclusions shall be stated in a clear and accessible manner.  A general requirement to master´s theses is that they show accepted academic methodologies and contribute to the knowledge of the field. A Master´s thesis is usually written in Icelandic or English and shall include an abstract in Icelandic and English. More information about the thesis is included in the Regulations for final projects, The School of Humanities. (UGLA - Reglur fyrir ritgerðir/verkefni (hi.is).