Theological Studies MA (Hons)
Master
In St Andrews
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
St andrews (Scotland)
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Duration
4 Years
The MA (Hons) in Theological Studies provides an introduction to the rich theological traditions of Christianity, covering the history of Christian theology from the early church to the modern world. You will explore ways in which Christianity is being expressed and lived out today in different areas of the world, and you will learn about the distinctive challenges to faith presented by modern secular culture.
The MA course is particularly suited for those wanting a wider range of options across Arts subjects, but who still want to give most of their attention to Divinity.
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About this course
Modules in theology consider key topics (God, salvation, Jesus Christ, Trinity, creation) in relation to the contexts in which they emerged and developed throughout Christian history, and some of the key thinkers who developed those concepts. They also consider some of the distinctive challenges to faith in the modern world.
Modules in practical theology explore ways in which Christianity is being expressed and lived out today. They include the study of:
worship, spirituality and the political involvement of the churches in contemporary Britain
liturgy and social reflection in Latin America
dance, worship and healing in Africa
moral decision-making
bioethics (abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering)
political ethics (economic justice and political power, ecological issues)
personal relationships (marriage, sexuality, friendship).
Graduates from the theological and biblical disciplines develop key transferable skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication, which make them highly attractive to potential employers. Accordingly, employment prospects are usually wide ranging.
Recent graduates from the School of Divinity have found positions as:
assistant minister with the Church of Scotland
Youth Pastor with the Free Church of Scotland
quality improvement officer with an English local council
nursery nurse
administrator with the Financial Services Authority (FSA)
officer in the accounts department of Nexus communications
policy officer with the Scottish Executive
teacher
trainee accountant with KPMG.
SQA Highers AAAB
GCE A-Levels AAA
IB points 36
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Subjects
- Options
- Theology
- Christian Theology
- Ethics
- Christianity
- Spirituality
- Religious
- Theological ethics
- Modern Theology
- Monastic Spirituality
Course programme
In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Theological Studies alongside modules in at least one other subject.
Typically, you will take one Theological Studies module per semester during your first two years, and three or four Theological Studies modules per semester during your third and fourth year
1st Year
Students take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- Theology: Issues and History: approaches a variety of themes within Christian theology with a view to its biblical roots and historical development, its critical reception and restatement in the modern period, and its significance for contemporary theological reflection.
- Practical Theology and Ethics: introduces students to the work of a number of practical theologians as well as key concepts from the history of Christian ethics, such as natural law, divine command, virtue ethics, the relations of scripture to ethics, and political theology.
Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Christian Thought and Practice 1: explores the historical development and present expression of key topics in Christian doctrine and Christian ethics.
- The Early and Mediaeval Church: History, Beliefs and Practices: explores key themes in the organisation, practice and beliefs of the early and mediaeval church, focusing mostly on the period from the first to the ninth centuries.
If you decide to take Theological Studies in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options aimed to bring you in contact with the primary texts of Christian theology.
Theological Studies Honours modules which have been offered in previous years include:
- Medieval Monastic Spirituality
- The Nature of Theology
- Reading in Reformation and Early Modern Theology
- Reading in Theological Ethics
- Religious World of Dante
- Themes and Texts in Christian-Buddhist Dialogue
- Theology, Spirituality and Pastoral Care.
In fourth year, students also undertake a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice. The School provides significant support for the dissertation, with a breakdown of the assessment into different stages and a programme of seminars to assist in the development of advanced research and communication skills.
The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours-level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above.
Additional information
Theological Studies MA (Hons)