Masters Degrees in Theology & Religious Studies, Ireland

This Belfast-based degree is an innovative cross-border programme which takes an inter-disciplinary approach to the challenges of social reconciliation in the aftermath of armed conflict. The programme grows out of and addresses the needs and experiences of people in Northern Ireland. Particular attention is given to ethnic conflicts and the role of religion in such conflicts. It is designed to address the challenge of developing a fuller, more complex and more systematic understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to reconciliation. Thirty years of violence have taught people some costly wisdom about reconciliation, which needs both to be consolidated and further applied in Northern Ireland and to be offered to others who have experienced similar conflicts. Reciprocally, the Reconciliation Studies programme will also be probing conflicts around the world for lessons to be applied in Northern Ireland and more widely. The programme also includes a one-week Spring School in Dublin.

Students take at least five of the eight courses offered and are assessed on four of them. The courses include Dynamics of Reconciliation; Theology of Reconciliation; Conflict Transformation; Northern Ireland – Conflict and Reconciliation; Social Research Methods; Resources of Reconciliation in World Religions; When the Fighting Stops: Transitional Justice and Truth Commissions; and Conflict and Collective Identity: Ethnicity, Nationalism and Religion. Students also participate in a one-week Spring School in Dublin, which varies in content from year to year. In addition seminars will be organised in support of the programme.

Assessment: The assessment consists of four 5,000-6,000 word essays: students submit an essay on the first course ‘Dynamics of Reconciliation’, at least one from courses 2, 3 or 4, and two others – to be completed by 1st May, and an 18,000-20,000 word dissertation to be completed by 15th September.

All students are registered on a common Masters programme and follow the same assessment procedures for the four essays required. Subject to satisfactory performance in the four essays, students may proceed to submission of a dissertation for the M.Phil. degree. Students who do not reach that standard, but who nonetheless are judged by the Court of Examiners to have reached a satisfactory level of performance, may be recommended for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma, without further assessment.

Admission Requirement:
Applicants should normally have an honors degree at second-class level or above. Students not meeting these criteria may exceptionally be considered at the discretion of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

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The degree of Bachelor in Divinity is a higher degree awarded on the basis of examination and thesis. Appropriately qualified candidates, accepted for the degree must complete an examination in eight papers and a thesis of 40,000 words within five years. Candidates study independently for the examination, but may obtain advice and a bibliography on each subject from Religions and Theological Studies.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted on to the B.D. register, a candidate must: 1. hold a degree in Theology from the University of Dublin, or other university approved by the University Council; or 2. hold a degree in any subject from the University of Dublin or other university approved by the University Council and a Divinity Testimonium or a Professional Diploma in Theology from the University of Dublin; or 3. hold a degree in any subject from the University of Dublin or other university approved by the University Council and pass a qualifying examination. Details of the qualifying examination may be obtained from the Dean of Graduate Studies.

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This course offers a distinctive learning experience based on the integration of the fields of theology, biblical studies and Christian practice. Students will engage critically with the intellectual challenges of ministry through the study of key themes in biblical, theological and ministerial studies. The programme is thus framed around a clear interaction between both theory and practice and across a variety of areas of ministerial formation. The M.Theol. aims to maintain a rigorous academic core whilst also broadening the scope of content and assessment to include professional application. Candidates are assessed by a combination of course work, ministry portfolio and dissertation.

This programme is offered only in the part-time mode, with two options:

Mode A which runs for three years and Mode B which runs for 6 years.

Course Content:
The course covers areas including:
The Bible and its Interpretation
• Texts and Communities in Context – Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
• Texts and Communities in Context –New Testament
• Communities of Interpretation - To the Enlightenment Period
• Communities of Interpretation - In the Modern Period and in the Church Today
Theological Reflection and Christian Identity
• Christian Thinking About God
• Jesus the Christ
• Cosmology, Anthropology and the Church
• Theology and Ethics
Christian Practice in Church and Society
• Mission, Culture and Social Context
• Pastoral Studies
• Liturgy, Worship and Spirituality
• Anglican Studies in an Irish Context
• Church Leadership Practice and Practicalities

Students take a total of one of three elective modules.

• Music and Worship
• Faith, Nurture and Christian Education
• Ministry for Reconciliation

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The MA in Christian Leadership in Education is a two year, part-time programme, providing a professional qualification for those involved in the second-level educational sector. It is designed to support school principals, prospective principals, members of boards of management, members of school trusts or those involved in the educational enterprise in any way, who wish to provide themselves with the necessary theological, leadership and management skills to lead faith based schools. The programme offers an integrated approach to the various subject areas, which include the following: New Testament, Christology; Developing Emotional and Relational Competence; Group Dynamics; Psychology of Leadership; Leading Curriculum and Learning; Education Legislation and Governance; A Christian Vision of Humanity for Contemporary Culture; Sacraments and Liturgy; Foundational Topics in Christian Spirituality and Ethos; Leading a Catholic School in Contemporary Ireland.

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Overview

This MA relates discourses and developments in the history in Western philosophy up to the 21st century. It thus aims at carrying out a serious philosophical analysis of some of the underlying cultural themes and philosophical presuppositions of Western self understanding and contemporary society. Building upon the strengths of critical thinking, systematic reflection, and historical awareness developed at undergraduate level, the programme allows the student to explore thematic concerns of philosophers in the Western tradition from medieval times to the 21st century. The MA degree (Mode I) in Philosophy is taken by examination (100% continuous assessment) and by minor thesis, the topic of which must be in the subject area of Philosophy of Religion and approved by the Head of the Department. The dissertation comprises a maximum of 15,000 words, and is assessed by the supervisor and the external examiner.

See the website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/philosophy/our-courses/ma-philosophy-religion-0

Course Structure

The overall number of credits is 90 credits. Students will be expected to take 60 ECTS credits in taught modules, the Philosophical Seminar is obligatory in semester 1 & 2. The final 30 credits will be awarded for the MA thesis.

Modules Include:
- PH602 Methods in Phenomenology
- PH604 The Early Philosophy of Edith Stein
- PH606 Selected Problems in Medieval Philosophy
- PH610 Philosophical Seminar
- PH611 Reading Selected Texts in Renaissance Philosophy
- PH623 Nietzsche and His Legacy
- PH627 Reading Eriugena
- PH699 Dissertation

Additional modules offered by St. Parick’s College may be chosen.

Career Options

Philosophy is not a qualification to do a particular job; rather it is a valuable component of general education. The expertise gained in Philosophy is of great value in many different careers. Philosophy is a good preparation for an academic career and for careers in journalism, law, radio, television and the media in general, and politics. Increasingly, philosophy graduates are being hired by large corporations, e.g. in roles such as management consultancy, as people who can approach problems from a new perspective. Philosophy graduates are valued for their quick intelligence, their ability to reason clearly and independently and their ability to take an overview on the problem or situation confronting them.

How To Apply

Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC Code
MHV55

The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:

Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of birth certificate or valid passport.Applicants may be required to attend for interview as part of the admissions process.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships

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Overview

This MA relates discourses and developments in the history in Western philosophy up to the 21st century. It thus aims at carrying out a serious philosophical analysis of some of the underlying cultural themes and philosophical presuppositions of Western self understanding and contemporary society. Building upon the strengths of critical thinking, systematic reflection, and historical awareness developed at undergraduate level, the programme allows the student to explore thematic concerns of philosophers in the Western tradition from medieval times to the 21st century. The MA degree (Mode I) in Philosophy is taken by examination (100% continuous assessment) and by minor thesis, the topic of which must be in the subject area of Philosophy of Religion and approved by the Head of the Department. The dissertation comprises a maximum of 15,000 words, and is assessed by the supervisor and the external examiner.

See the website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/philosophy/our-courses/ma-philosophy-religion

Course Structure

The overall number of credits is 90 credits. Students will be expected to take 60 ECTS credits in taught modules, the Philosophical Seminar is obligatory in semester 1 & 2. The final 30 credits will be awarded for the MA thesis.

Modules Include:
- PH602 Methods in Phenomenology
- PH604 The Early Philosophy of Edith Stein
- PH606 Selected Problems in Medieval Philosophy
- PH610 Philosophical Seminar
- PH611 Reading Selected Texts in Renaissance Philosophy
- PH623 Nietzsche and His Legacy
- PH627 Reading Eriugena
- PH699 Dissertation

Additional modules offered by St. Parick’s College may be chosen.

Career Options

Philosophy is not a qualification to do a particular job; rather it is a valuable component of general education. The expertise gained in Philosophy is of great value in many different careers. Philosophy is a good preparation for an academic career and for careers in journalism, law, radio, television and the media in general, and politics. Increasingly, philosophy graduates are being hired by large corporations, e.g. in roles such as management consultancy, as people who can approach problems from a new perspective. Philosophy graduates are valued for their quick intelligence, their ability to reason clearly and independently and their ability to take an overview on the problem or situation confronting them.

How To Apply

Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC Code
MHV54

The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:

Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of birth certificate or valid passport. Applicants may be required to attend for interview as part of the admissions process.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships

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