Religion Degrees Online

The programme provides an opportunity for advanced study of Biblical texts, with an emphasis on current methodologies. It develops students’ critical skills to interpret biblical texts in the context both of the ancient world and of modern society.

It is envisaged that this MA programme will be of interest to a wide group of people: primarily to teachers and to those involved in church-related ministries, as well as those who have a particular interest in textual study of biblical literature. It is also envisaged that this programme would be of interest as part of ongoing education for ministers.

This program, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, is designed to prepare students to teach children primarily in church-based ministries.

The courses in the program are geared toward giving students appropriate methods, tools, and techniques for teaching the very young child up through sixth grade.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The graduate who completes this program will:1. Have skills in communicating the Word of God to children (EC-6th grade).
2. Have a basic understanding of the history and the educational structure of the local church.
3. Be familiar with the organization and administration of the educational program of the local church including how the children’s ministries fit into this program.
4. Be familiar with present day Bible-centered curricula, as well as trends and innovations in teaching children.
5. Acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes appropriate to Sunday school and children’s ministries education.
6. Have the ability to organize and manage a classroom situation.
7. Exercise the skills and methodologies basic to teaching children through various experiences in teaching (Sunday school, vacation Bible school, children’s church, etc.).
8. Follow the example of Christ in love and compassion for children.
9. Minister enthusiastically to children.

The work of the Religion Studies Department of Muhlenberg College is the academic investigation of religious traditions in their thought and practice. Faculty and students study cultural and intellectual responses to basic questions of life and meaning that engage imagination, hope, and faith. Our discipline, exploring essential aspects of human experience, is inherently cross-cultural, multidisciplinary, and interpretive. Its geography is global; its chronology extends from antiquity to the present. We analyze texts, beliefs, rituals, arts, communities, cultures, and their integration into coherent worldviews. Our methodologies as well as our content interact with disciplines spanning the liberal arts curriculum from the humanities to the social sciences to the sciences.

All societies are familiar with the concept of religion. In some societies, religion was and is simply an expression of a shared culture. In other cultures, religion mainly manifests itself at certain critical times. It is only the believer, however, who is allowed the privilege of meeting the gods, which means that the study of religion can seem somewhat vague. It is nevertheless a fact that there are people who are believers and for whom religion influences who they marry and vote for, what they buy, who they wage war against and much more – and they can be studied.

At the Department of the Study of Religion, you learn about religions and religious phenomena, both past and present. You study the main religions in the world, past and new religions, as well as religious trends.

History, society and culture
As a student at the Department of the Study of Religion, you gain insight into the importance of individual religions and religious phenomena to mankind and society in general. You examine the way different religions have changed throughout history, and analyse their current form and role in society. Through the study of basic religious phenomena such as cults, sacrifices, rituals, myths and perceptions of God, you acquire in-depth knowledge of the characteristics common to all religions.

A wide range of methodologies
The study of religion is a comprehensive, humanistic degree programme. The aim is to provide you with insight into individual religions and religious phenomena, general knowledge of the humanistic, societal and philosophical aspects of religion, and general competence in academic and independent work with humanistic topics. The theoretical and methodological basis is historical, philosophical, sociological, anthropological, psychological and philological. As a result, you become able to work in interdisciplinary contexts and are qualified to describe and analyse issues such as the meeting between different religions and cultures.

The study of religion is primarily based on the reading of texts, but many students also carry out projects in the form of sociological surveys and fieldwork or undertake periods of practical training.

Religions around the world

At the Department of the Study of Religion, you learn about religions and religious phenomena. You study the main religions in the world, past and new religions, as well as religious trends. Through the study of rituals, myths and perceptions of God, you acquire in-depth knowledge of the characteristics common to all religions.

History, society and culture
As a student at the Department of the Study of Religion, you gain insight into the importance of individual religions and religious phenomena to mankind and society in general. You examine the way different religions have changed throughout history, and analyse their current form and role in society.
A wide range of methodologies

The study of religion is a comprehensive degree programme. You work with sociological, philosophical, psychological and historical aspects. In addition, you choose a language (e.g. Greek, Latin, Hebrew or Arabic) that you use to study religious texts in their original language.

Religion Department website at Amherst College! Our Department is dedicated to the academic study of Religion offering courses in the fields of American religious history, Buddhism, early Christianity, Islam, Judaica, modern Christian thought, philosophy of religion, and an introductory course and a course on methods and theories in the study of religion, as well as comparative courses in the various traditions. The study of Religion is a diversified and multi-faceted discipline focusing on the study of specific religious traditions and the general nature of religion as a phenomenon of human life, including the cultures of East and West and ancient as well as modern, in an inquiry that involves a variety of textual, historical, phenomenological, social scientific, theological, and philosophical methodologies. Please explore our pages for more information about our distinguished faculty, the major, and upcoming lectures and events.

Dissertation
The dissertation is a major research project in which the candidate demonstrates the ability to define a research question, develop a research plan, employ relevant research skills and methodologies, and conduct original theological research. The candidate, in close consultation with the dissertation director, determines the topic, methodologies, and pertinent resources. The research plan is outlined in the dissertation prospectus that is submitted as part of the qualifying examination. Passing the qualifying examination means that the prospectus is accepted. Candidates may apply no more than 30 semester hours of dissertation credit to the Ph.D. degree.

The student’s dissertation director and committee will be constituted as described above. The dissertation is presented to the committee in a public defense no later than four weeks prior to graduation. The dissertation committee may accept the dissertation without revisions; with minor revisions to be reviewed by the dissertation director; with major revisions to be examined by the committee; or the committee may reject the dissertation (which requires the candidate to retake the dissertation area examination and proceed from that point, as above). Upon final acceptance of the dissertation, the candidate shall be awarded the Ph.D. degree.

Doctorate of Philosophy in Theology (REL)

The Ph.D. in theology employs a unique approach to theological studies and research utilizing the methodologies associated with the academic study of religion, emphasizing strong interaction with the social sciences and humanities. The program’s distinctive practice of integrating methodologies prepares students to work within a web of disciplines with theology at the center of research and writing. Using this integrative methodological approach, graduates are able to do theology that is rooted in discovering, analyzing, understanding, and proposing creative transformations in their current religious context, especially as found in the practices/praxis that reflect the United States Catholic experience.

Doctoral students must complete a minimum of 90 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Up to 30 credit hours from an accredited master’s program in theology or religious studies can be counted toward the 90-credit requirement. The Ph.D. program director, in consultation with the religious studies Ph.D. committee, determines the number of credits accepted.

All students must complete REL 601, 602, 603, and 604 or their equivalent. Between 12 and 30 semester credit hours can be earned as dissertation hours; additional dissertation hours will ordinarily not count toward the minimum of 90 semester credit hours for the Ph.D. Students select doctoral seminars or reading courses to complete the remainder of the 90 credits.

Each student must be in full-time residence; i.e., taking the load of a full-time student, for a minimum of one year before attempting the qualifying examination.

The MA in Biblical Studies offers a specialised and integrated programme, covering both New Testament and Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, with cutting-edge biblical studies modules focused on new methodologies and on the socio-religious dimensions of biblical texts. Taught modules are closely connected with current research interests of the biblical studies staff in the Department. The programme includes work in both biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek) and will serve as an excellent preparation for a research degree in Biblical Studies.

The study of Islam has been an important academic discipline within British universities for many years. At the University of Wales, Lampeter, Islamic Studies offers opportunities to study many aspects of Islam and Muslims in-depth – in both historical and contemporary contexts. Like other academic areas, Islamic Studies applies analytical and critical approaches towards its multi-/inter-disciplinary subject areas. A range of options allows specialised work in such fields as Islamic primary sources, Shari’ah, Arabic, Islamic philosophy and Islam and Christianity in dialogue. As part of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Islamic Studies focuses upon the methodologies of both these disciplines. As well as being a fascinating subject in its own right, Islamic Studies has relevance for those wishing to pursue careers in fields such as education, social services, media, diplomacy, or business.

Islamic Studies can be combined with one or two other subjects for Joint or Combined BA Honours degrees. In the past, students have successfully combined the study of Islam with Management, English, Philosophy, or Theology and Religious Studies modules. The structure of this programme and the modules it offers can be found in our departmental handbooks. Printed copies of the handbooks are also available on request.