Subject history

Historically, systematic theology has been a collective term for academic theological research, primarily concerning the intellectual foundations, ideological content, and practical implications of Christian doctrine. Internationally, the subjects of philosophy of religion, dogmatics, and ethics are often grouped under the common term systematic theology, with an implied connection to Christian traditions. In Uppsala, the subject has historically included Christian dogmatics, broader research into worldviews, and theoretical thinking about culture and society. Since 2004, the subject has been called Studies in Faith and Ideologies. In terms of teaching, the subject has mainly collaborated with the research subjects Ethics and Philosophy of Religion under the common heading of Studies in Faiths and Ideologies. Throughout the post-war period, the subject – which until 1975 was called Dogmatics with Symbolism – has developed towards a greater diversity of sources and methods, moving away from its unambiguous connection to Christian traditions. In recent years, the research profile has been significantly developed and expanded to include the systematic study of Islamic theology. From 2021, the subject will be called Systematic Theology and, as already mentioned, will have two specializations.