VEREAD project – Contexts, Sources and Critical-Historical Methods for the Research of Religion
The New Virtual Seminar Series
The VEREAD (Virtual Exchange for Religious Education and Dialogue) project is inviting scholars and students to participate in the upcoming virtual exchange methodological seminar: Contexts, Sources and Critical-Historical Methods for the Research of Religion.
Organized by FSCIRE in collaboration with Tangaza University (TU, Nairobi) and Kenyatta University (KU, Nairobi), this seminar explores the foundational tools and frameworks used in the academic study of religions.
Confirmed seminar schedule:
- Module 1: January 14, 21, 28 | February 4, 11
- Module 2: February 18, 25 | March 4, 11, 18
- Module 3: March 25 | April 1, 8, 15
Lesson timetable:
From January 14th until March 25th: 2.30-4.5 PM (EAT), 12.30-14.15 (CET)
April 1, 8, 15th: 2.30-4.5 PM (EAT), 13.30-15.15 (CET) due to the switch to daylight-saving time.
Course Overview
The course is designed to provide advanced students with the tools and methodologies necessary to study religion from a historical-critical perspective, with a particular focus on the African context and on diverse religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions. Key topics and case studies will be examined in depth and approached from a comparative African-European perspective.
Key Features
Modules: the seminar consists of three thematic modules, each combining seminar-based sessions with Virtual Exchange activities. Each seminar session includes an introductory lecture on a specific topic or case study, addressing its research methods, main historiographical perspectives, and primary sources. Lecturers provide assigned readings, bibliographical guidance, and, where possible, access to online research tools and digital archives to support participants’ preparation.
Within each module, participants are divided into small transnational groups to analyze sources or readings, or to engage in structured debates related to the lectures; each group then reconvenes in plenary sessions to share results and foster collective discussion.
The deadline for registration is January 12th 2026.
Please contact Francesco Cargnelutti at cargnelutti@fscire.it for registration.
Find more details about the seminar in the Download section.
