Department for continental philosophy and religious studies

Main

The academic study program to obtain Master degree ofReligious studies is established since 1995.

The lectures are held both by Lithuanian and foreign lecturers. On the basis of inter-institutional agreements, the CRSR maintains close relationship with the universities of Insbruk, Salzburg (Austria), Leipzig (Germany), Trent, Turin (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal), Krakow (Poland), Riga (Latvia) and some USA universities. Prof. Karl Heinz Neufeld SJ, Prof. Lothar Lies SJ (Insbrook University) and Prof. Friedrich Reiterer (Salzburg University) have given lectures at CRSR as visiting professors (each year until 2008). Furthermore, the CRSR organizes various lectures by eminent researchers from abroad: Prof. Richard A. Cohen (2009, University at Buffalo, USA), Prof. Jean Michel Salanskis (2009, University of Paris X Nanterre, France), Prof. Algis Mickunas (2010, Ohio University, USA), Prof. Claudio Ciancio (2010, Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies of Luigi Pareyson at Turin, Italy), Prof. Federico Vercellone (2011, University of Turin, Italy), Prof Maurizio Pagano (2009–2014, University of Eastern Piedmont, Italy), Prof Gianluca Cuozzo (2009–2014, University of Turin, Italy), Prof Gaetano Chiurazzi (2009–2014, University of Turin). These lectures are open to CRSR students and to a wider audience as well.

The professors of the CRSR, in their turn, have given lectures in foreign universities. Prof Rita Šerpytytė held lectures at the universities of Belgium, Italy, USA, France and Germany, Prof. Tomas Sodeika – at the universities of Poland, Russia and Germany, Assoc. Prof. Danutė Bacevičiūtė – at University of Latvia. Prof. Rita Šerpytytė, Prof. Tomas Sodeika, Assoc. Prof. Aušrelė Pažėraitė, Assoc. Prof Danutė Bacevičiūtė, Assoc. Prof. Mintautas Gutauskas, Assoc. Prof. Kristupas Sabolius and Assoc. Prof. Nerijus Milerius have conducted research in foreign universities and other research institutions.

The CRSR is also involved in different scientific researches. Since its establishment the CRSR actively participates in various national and international projects.

The most significant one was international project “Aufbruch” (1997–2000), it actually involved ten countries from Central and Eastern Europe. The project made an attempt to examine a religious life in the Soviet period and in the time of transformation from different angles.

The other highly important project called “Role of the Church in Post-communist Transformations” (1998–2000) was initiated by Osnabruck University (Germany). This project explored the current situation of the Catholic Church in post-communist society, analyzed its role in the process of transformation.

Since 2001, the CRSR organizes the annual scientific conferences „Religion and Culture“, which were attended by large number of sound scholars and became popular not only in academic world but also in the wider audience. Besides the traditional academic sections of religion and theology, religion and art, these conferences have discussed the impact of religion in public discourse, religion and the challenges of contemporary world, etc.

Since 2004, the CRSR publishes scholarly journal Religion and Culture (http://www.leidykla.eu/mokslo-darbai/religija-ir-kultura/)

Research projects implemented by the CRSR:

• In 2006, the CRSR implemented international project and organized international conference “A Century with Levinas: on the Ruins of Totality”.
• In 2006–2008, the CRSR participated in the conferences of the Network on Teaching Religion in Multicultural European Society (TRES).
• In 2007, “Religion and the Challenges of the Contemporary World” (project manager Prof. Rita Šerpytytė, project was funded by a grant from the Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation).
• In 2009, “Religion and Everyday Life: Challenges of the Contemporary World” (project manager Prof. Rita Šerpytytė, project was funded by a grant from the Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation).
• In 2010, “Identity and Alterity” (project manager dr. Nerijus Čepulis; project was funded by a grant from the LithuanianResearch Council under the national program “State and Nation: Legacy and Identity“).
• In 2010–2013, “Religion and culture: Challenges of the Contemporary World to Identity” (project manager Prof. Rita Šerpytytė, project was funded by a grant from the Lithuanian Research Council under the national program “State and Nation: Legacy and Identity”).
• In 2011–2013, “Philosophical Research into Cinema Art: Theoretical Assumptions, Methods, Objectives” (project manager Assoc. Prof. Nerijus Milerius; project was funded by a grant from the Lithuanian Research Council).
• In 2013–2015, “Transformations of Ontology: Nihilism, Ethics, Media” (project manager Prof. Tomas Sodeika; project was funded by a grant from the Lithuanian Research Council).

Current Research projects:

• Since 2000, the CRSR implements project supported by university budget “Religion and Culture” (project manager Prof. Rita Šerpytytė).
• Since 2013, the international research project “ONLENHER – Ontology. Language. Hermeneutics” (under the guidance of Dr.Maria Teresa Oñate Zubia). Prof. Rita Šerpytytė is a member of the international group at the National Distance Education University (UNED) in Spain.