Description
This course focuses on the context and interpretation of biblical and pseudepigraphal texts, along with the study of biblical languages. Durham has a long tradition of outstanding biblical scholarship, providing a wide range of distinctive approaches to biblical studies, including historical, critical and theological.
Course Structure
- The Bible and Hermeneutics - core module*
- Three optional modules
- Dissertation.
Core Modules
- The Bible and Hermeneutics*
- Dissertation.
*Core module may be subject to change, in 2018-19 this will be replaced with the module Paul and His Interpreters.
Optional Modules
Optional Modules in previous years have included 2-3 choices from:
- Advanced Hebrew Texts
- Advanced Aramaic
- Middle Egyptian
- The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament
- Gospels and Canon
Plus up to 1 choice from:
- Paul and his Interpreters
- Patristic Exegesis
- Patristic Ecclesiology
- Christian Northumbria 600-750
- The Anglican Theological Vision
- Classic Texts in Christian Theology
- Liturgy and Sacramentality
- Conceiving Change in Contemporary Catholicism
- Twentieth-Century Catholic Theology
- Christian Gender
- Principles of Theological Ethics
- Theology, Ethics and Medicine
- Social Scientific Methods in the Study of Religion
- Ritual, Symbolism and Belief in the Anthropology of Religion
- Literature and Religion
- Catholic Social Thought
- Ecclesiology and Ethnography
- Doctrine of Creation
- Religion in the Neo-Liberal Age
- The Thought of Thomas Aquinas in Context
- Selected modules from the MA in Theology and Ministry course
- Level 3 undergraduate module, or any Level 1–2 language module offered by the Department of Theology and Religion, taken in conjunction with the Extended Study in Theology & Religion module
- 30 credits from another Board of Studies (including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the University’s Centre for Foreign Language Study).
Course Learning and Teaching
Most MA teaching is delivered through small group seminars and tutorials. These exemplify and encourage the various skills and practices required for independent scholarly engagement with texts and issues. Teaching in the Department of Theology & Religion is ‘research led’ at both BA and MA levels, but particularly at MA level. Research led teaching is informed by staff research, but more importantly it aims to develop you as independent researchers, able to pursue and explore your own research interests and questions. This is why the independently researched MA dissertation is the culmination of the MA course. Such engagement with texts and issues is not only an excellent preparation for doctoral research, it also develops those skills of critical analysis, synthesis and presentation sought and required by employers.
Many MA classes will contain a ‘lecture’ element, conveying information and exemplifying an approach to the subject-matter that will enable you to develop a clear understanding of the subject and improve your own ability to analyse and evaluate information and arguments. Seminars enhance knowledge and understanding through preparation and interaction with other students and staff, promoting awareness of and respect for different viewpoints and approaches, and developing skills of articulacy, advocacy and interrogation. Through small group discussions and tutorials, feedback is provided on completed work, with the opportunity to discuss specific issues in detail, enhancing knowledge and writing skills.
The Dissertation module includes training in generic research skills, from the use of the Library to issues in referencing and bibliography. The subject specific core module introduces you to questions of interpretation and argument in the disciplines encompassed by theology and religion, and helps to develop your own interests and questions that will issue in the MA dissertation. The latter is a piece of independent research, but it is fostered and guided through individual tutorials with a supervisor, with whom you will meet throughout the academic year.
English Language requirements
Please check requirements for your subject and level of study.
How to apply
http://www.durham.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply
Department of Theology and Religion
A significant number of our graduates find employment in academic institutions (universities and seminaries) around the world. For some examples of academic careers in Theology launched at Durham, please click here.
Others go into teaching, church ministry, the caring professions, and many other professional fields.
For further information on career options and employability, including the results of the Destination of Leavers survey, student and employer testimonials and details of work experience and study abroad opportunities, please click here.
Visit the
MA Biblical Studies
page on the Durham University website for more details!
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