Mіroshnichenko A. Phenomenology of religion as a discipline of Religious Studies.

The dissertation deals with analysis of the perception among scientists of phenomenology of religion as an academic discipline of the Religious Studies. On the basis of the analysis designated the features of its place among the other disciplines of Religious Studies, as well as its subject and methodological specificity. The characteristic features of functioning forms of phenomenology of religion are revealed, as well as its most important concepts, considering the aspects of the historical stages of development. This has contributed to the definition of the capabilities of phenomenology of religion as an academic discipline and the effectiveness of implementation of the hermeneutic approach in it. Attention is paid to the investigation of the existing points of view on the nature of the phenomenology of religion, as well as identifying the most appropriate of its goals and objectives. Contemplation of the main concepts and meanings of "sacred" has allowed to define it as the subject of the phenomenology of religion. As a result, on the basis of this research become possible to identify the composition of the subject area of phenomenology of religion, what has opened new dimensions in its capacity as an academic discipline of Religious Studies, and in particular, its perspective in the learning process. With the ability to determine the dynamic phenomena, which are the manifestation of the sacred, phenomenology of religion is also gaining importance in modern religious studying and general humanities research. Detecting the dynamic of the phenomenology of religion, including its hermeneutical component enabled to determine the efficiency and perspectives, particularly in practical research.