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Religious Sciences and Societies

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Religious Sciences and Societies

Program type Initial Training

Degree Master's

Graduate program(s) Religious Studies

Domain(s) Humanities & social sciences

Discipline(s) Anthropology, History, Philosophy, Religious sciences, Sociology

Teaching language(s) French

Place Paris

PSL host school

Description

Curriculum

Admissions

Student Story

The Université PSL Master’s degree in Religious Sciences and Societies is jointly accredited by EPHE–PSL and EHESS. Thanks to the diversity and wealth of courses offered in those two institutions, the program offers a unique, top-quality educational experience.
This multidisciplinary Master’s program combines historical, sociological, anthropological, philosophical and legal approaches to yield a comprehensive perspective on complex social realities. Courses are given in Paris and on the Condorcet Campus in Aubervilliers.

This Master’s degree program is part of the graduate program in Religious Studies.

Learning outcomes

The purpose of this Master’s program is to provide its students, most of whom have a Bachelor’s degree in the humanities or social sciences, with the necessary theoretical and methodological underpinnings for pursuing doctoral research or embarking on a professional career (RLV track). Upon completing the program, students will:

Be familiar with the major theoretical issues and debates in religious studies, including the historiography and bibliography of the various fields studied, scientific discussions and the state of current research.
Have mastered research methods and tools for religious studies from a cross-disciplinary perspective, including field work, investigative techniques and familiarity with archives.
Have begun the process of concentrating in one of the relevant disciplines (anthropology, history, sociology, philosophy) by attending specialized courses and preparing a Master’s thesis that could lead to doctoral-level research.

Academic tracks

Refer to the specific tab to learn about the program in detail.

Four academic tracks are available:

Sociology of Religion
Religion and Secularism in Professional and Community Life
Islam in a Historical and Contemporary Context
History and Historiography of Judaism

Master’s Year 1 (M1): 60 ECTS credits divided among nine courses (including one language course) and an internship in semesters 1 and 2. All four academic tracks include, as a core curriculum, the “Introduction to Fundamental Knowledge” credit units (two per year for each track).
Master’s Year 2 (M2): 60 ECTS credits divided among five courses in the form of a seminar and methodological workshop and a research paper.

Who should apply?

Priority will be given to students who hold a Bachelor’s degree in the humanities or social sciences (anthropology, history, philosophy or sociology). The student’s chosen curriculum should reflect his or her undergraduate major, and students should effectively meet the prerequisites for the courses they intend to take.
The program is also open to students from other academic disciplines who have obtained a waiver from the Academic Board, as well as applicants who wish to re-engage with research to supplement their professional career.

Students must complete the M1 program in one of the aforementioned disciplines (anthropology, history, philosophy or sociology) to be admitted to the M2 program.

Opportunities

Careers in research, culture, publishing, teaching, journalism, human resources, local government, mediation.
Students will have the option of continuing their studies in the doctoral schools at EPHE–PSL or EHESS.

Laboratories

GSRL, CESOR, LEM, CRCAO, CEMS, IMAF, MII, CRH, CECMC, IISM, CMH, CEIAS, CHSIM, LAIOS, CESPRA, LAS, IISM

Teaching location: Paris (EHESS/EPHE–PSL); Campus Condorcet

Read the story of Werner, PhD, Alumnus of the Master's degree in Religious Sciences and Society.

A multidisciplinary Master’s program that combines historical, sociological, anthropological, philosophical and legal approaches to yield a comprehensive perspective on complex social realities.
A cross-disciplinary core curriculum and various options for concentration beginning in the first year of the Master’s program (four academic tracks offered).
A convenient base in central Paris where students can make the most of the city’s opportunities for networking, conferences and symposia.
An unequaled campus life in the very heart of Paris, benefiting from the opportunities available at Université PSL (music, sports, campus organizations, etc.)

Parcours proposés

Le master « Sciences des religions et sociétés » offre quatre parcours :

Sciences sociales des religions
Religions et laïcité dans la vie professionnelle et associative
L’islam dans ses contextes historiques et contemporains
Histoire et historiographie des mondes juifs

Ces quatre parcours offrent des enseignements de tronc commun, notamment autour des enseignements d’initiation, mutualisables au sein de la mention SRS ou avec la mention « Civilisations, cultures et sociétés ». Ce tronc commun a pour but d’assurer aux étudiants la formation transdisciplinaire indispensable à toute spécialisation ultérieure. Dès la première année du master, en S1 et S2, l’étudiant doit choisir un enseignement spécialisé qui est généralement le séminaire du tuteur.

- Le parcours « Sciences sociales des religions » (SSR) propose de donner aux étudiants des connaissances générales et techniques ainsi que des compétences à la fois disciplinaires et transdisciplinaires qui leur permettent de conduire une recherche de façon autonome dans le cadre d’un projet doctoral ou d’une autre activité comportant une forte dimension de production de connaissances. La formation vise à la constitution progressive d’un savoir et d’un savoir-faire à la fois spécialisé et ouvert.

- Le parcours « Religions et Laïcité dans la vie professionnelle et associative » (RLV) propose aux étudiants une formation généraliste qui, tout en restant dans le cadre d'études universitaires de master, ouvre, non à la poursuite d'un doctorat ou d’une recherche scientifique, mais à différentes catégories de métiers dans la vie active. Cette voie comporte des enseignements communs avec la spécialité SRS, mais s’appuie plus spécifiquement sur les ressources et l’encadrement de l’IESR (« Institut européen en sciences des religions », rattaché à l’EPHE) dans la gestion et l’organisation pédagogique. Les partenariats existants avec le monde socio-économique, à travers l’IESR, seront mieux mis en avant.

- Les deux derniers parcours, « L’islam dans ses contextes historiques et contemporains » et « Histoire et historiographie des mondes juifs » ont été pensés dans une perspective de complémentarité. Le parcours sur l’Islam dans la mention SRS cherche à mettre en avant la place de l’islam dans la société contemporaine ; de même, le parcours sur le monde juif met l’accent sur l’histoire religieuse du peuple juif à travers les siècles. Ces deux parcours laisseront également une place à des perspectives comparatistes.

Prerequisites to apply for Master’s Year 1 (M1)

Students must hold a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (180 ECTS credits) in the humanities or social sciences (anthropology, history, philosophy or sociology) or the equivalent. The Master’s program is also open to students from other academic disciplines who have obtained a waiver from the Academic Board, as well as applicants who wish to re-engage with research to supplement their professional career.
Certificate of proficiency in French for degrees obtained outside France.

Selection process

Based on online application (Master’s Year 1 and Master’s Year 2) from February 26 to March 24, 2024.

MASTER 1: depending on your profile (nationality, etc.), applications must be submitted on the French platform "Mon Master" OR on the PSL application portal. Please consult this page to learn about the modalities and the procedure to follow according to your profile.

MASTER 2: on the PSL application portal for all applicants, French and international.

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Application items

Cover letter
Résumé
Copies of degrees earned (Bachelor’s, etc.). Diplomas in languages other than French or English must be translated into French.
Copies of academic transcripts (baccalaureate, Bachelor’s degree, etc.). Transcripts in languages other than French or English must be translated into French.
Research projec
Approval of the future academic tutor
Letter of reference (optional)
Non-French-speaking applicants must have at least a B2 level of proficiency on the DALF/DELF. Students who are unable to provide official proof of their French language proficiency may be assessed during an interview and will be required to take a placement test before courses begin.

Tuition fees: For the 2023-24 academic year, annual tuition was €243, plus the Student Life and Campus Contribution (CVEC tax), which is €100 per year. Learn more about the CVEC tax.

School for registration : EPHE-PSL ou EHESS
Degree issued: National Master's degree issued by Université PSL or EHESS

Werner, alumnus of the Religious Sciences and Societies Master’s program

“A PhD is a long-term commitment. I took the time to let my project mature before choosing my research path.”

Werner, currently in the first year of his PhD program, is an alumnus of the EPHE–PSL Master’s program in Religious Sciences and Society. Here he tells us about his fascination with Iran and his participation in PSL campus life.

Read his story