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Introduction
The MA Interfaith Studies offers an opportunity found almost nowhere else — to study not only the internal nature of religious faiths and beliefs but also their interaction and relations with one another.
It is this interaction that has increasingly come to colour our contemporary world, with the increasing pluralisation of society forming an underlying trend to so many social, political, and philosophical dynamics that occupy our societies.
The MA Interfaith Studies offers a chance for in-depth study of the relationships between faiths and religion in our contemporary world and how these are impacted by historical, philosophical, theological, and social trends. It offers a balance between a detailed study of faiths themselves and a broader study of the social aspect of religious belief.
Why choose this course?
1. Unique opportunity to study both faiths and their interactions
2. Learn more about the motivating factors behind religious co-habitation and violence in our contemporary world
3. Explore different forms of religious tradition throughout the course
4. Study with expert scholars in religion and theology who are research active in the field
5. Combine multiple forms of methodology yo more fully understand relevant political, social, and cultural issues.
Overview
Students undertake four taught modules during their first year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of study before progressing to Part II and the writing of their dissertation. In Part I, students study one compulsory 30 credit module and three optional 30 credit modules (120 credits in total).
The MA Interfaith studies grounds your learning across a number of different theoretical and practical areas, including the theory of interfaith studies and inter-religious relation, specific geographical contexts, and historical themes and perspectives.
This is accomplished through a blend of teaching assessments, including a final dissertation focused on a subject of your choice.
Modules
Part I (PG Cert, PG Dip & MA)
• Chinese Religions at the Grassroots (30 credits; optional)
• Christian-Muslim Relations: Texts, Past, & Present (30 credits; optional)
• Interfaith Encounters: Religious Interaction in a Complex World (30 credits; optional)
• Jewish-Christian Relations: Encounters Past and Present (30 credits; optional)
• Methods and Approaches to Interfaith Studies (30 credits; compulsory)
• Political Theology (30 credits; optional)
• Religion and the Environment (30 credits; optional)
• Religious Experience Today (30 credits; optional)
• Sufism and Islamic Spirituality: The Mystical Dimensions of Islam (30 credits; optional)
• The Islamic Intellectual Tradition: Medieval, Modern and Contemporary (30 credits; optional)
• Theory and Methodology in the Study of Religions (30 credits; optional).
Part II (MA)
• MA Dissertation (Religion) (60 credits; compulsory).
Entry Criteria
Entry Criteria
An honours degree (2:1 or above) in a cognate discipline or an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
The MA Interfaith Studies grounds your learning across a number of different theoretical and practical areas, including the theory of interfaith studies and inter-religious relation, specific geographical contexts, and historical themes and perspectives. This is accomplished through a blend of teaching assessments, including a final dissertation focused on a subject of your choice.
Career Opportunities
The programme will help students to develop skills that are valuable to a wide range of employers, such as the ability to:
• analyse complex information in a critical manner;
• present clear and coherent arguments;
• present complex information in a clear manner.
More particularly, the programme will attract students who are looking to take up future employment opportunities or are already in employment, in areas or sectors where an understanding of interfaith issues will be of benefit.
This may include voluntary workers, teachers and trainers, academics, community and government-based agencies and projects, intercultural, multi-faith networks dedicated to building community relations, reconciliation and reconstruction schemes with various global agencies and disaster relief bodies.
It will also appeal to students who are looking towards a religious and/or devotional service, a life of public service, and various voluntary-based projects.
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