eurel     Sociological and legal data on religions in Europe and beyond
You are here : Home » Russia » Research and higher education

Research and higher education

Teaching religion and theology

In Russia, a specialisation in “sociology of religions” and “religious law” does not exist in higher education. The national curriculum provides for academic diplomas in “religious studies” (...)

In Russia, a specialisation in “sociology of religions” and “religious law” does not exist in higher education. The national curriculum provides for academic diplomas in “religious studies” (religiovedenie). This discipline includes philosophy of religions, sociology of religions, history of religions and psychology of religions.

Chairs and centres for the study of religions are present in the state universities of Moscow, Saint Petersburg and in some other universities and institutions of higher education. Some chairs in religious studies are also research centres.

 Chair in Philosophy of Religions and Religious Studies at Moscow State University
 Chair in Philosophy of Religions and Religious Studies at the Saint Petersburg State University
 Centre for the Study of Religions at the Russian State University for the Humanities
 Chair in State-Religion Relations at the Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

Although the Russian national higher education system is secular, there are university diplomas in “theology”. In Russia, the distinction is made between university “theology” and that taught in the ecclesiastical theology academies and seminaries. This university discipline is very close to “religious studies”. Most of the university chairs in theology are devoted to Orthodoxy. The Kursk and Eastern Russia state universities have chairs in “theology and religious studies”.

The state does not recognise academic qualifications from denominational universities. Diplomas and grades at denominational universities are only of value within the relevant confession.

D 18 April 2013    AMikhaïl Chakhov

Research into sociology of religions

Centre for Research into Religion in Contemporary Society of the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences - its main research areas are: the sociological portrait of followers (...)

Centre for Research into Religion in Contemporary Society of the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences - its main research areas are: the sociological portrait of followers of different religions, the influence of religious beliefs on followers’ social activities, religious tolerance and interfaith relations and training and transmission of religious identities.

SREDA is an independent association of sociologists. Research topics include: surveys on religious life in Russia and research project ARENA - Atlas of Religions and Nations of Russia.

D 18 April 2013    AMikhaïl Chakhov

Research into religious law

Slavonic Legal Centre: a non-governmental association consisting of the Institute of Religion and Law (researching religious law) and an office with lawyers specialising in religious freedom. (...)

Slavonic Legal Centre: a non-governmental association consisting of the Institute of Religion and Law (researching religious law) and an office with lawyers specialising in religious freedom. Editor of the quarterly scientific journal “Religion and Law” (since 1997).

Institute for State-Religion Relations and Law (Moscow): a non-governmental centre for research into religion in modern society. The main research areas are: the religious situation in the Russian Federation, improvements in legislation on freedom of conscience and on religious associations, the activities of sects and comparative law of religions.

The Institute edits scientific publications, as well as educational and methodological materials distributed for free to municipal and state officials (Website: State-Religion Relations in the Russian Federation).

D 18 April 2013    AMikhaïl Chakhov

CNRS Unistra Dres Gsrl

Follow us:
© 2002-2024 eurel - Contact