Director and graduate coordinator: Associate Professor Kevin Hart
The Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology was established in the Faculty of Arts in order to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research in the areas of religion and theology. The centre offers both minor and major sequences within the Faculty of Arts as well as an honours program. It has established extensive links with the Melbourne College of Divinity with which it coordinates the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology double degree program. The centre offers symposia, workshops and seminars in which research into religion and theology is presented and discussed.
Postgraduate supervision for those wishing to pursue research degrees in religious studies and theology is available through the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology. The centre also offers interdisciplinary subjects at the postgraduate level which examine the beliefs and practices of different religious traditions. Masters by coursework and masters by coursework and research programs are offered by the centre. Further details can be obtained from the director. For information contact the director, Associate Professor Kevin Hart, 905 2145, or Associate Professor Gary D Bouma, 905 2982.
Members of staff and their fields of special interest
Gary Bouma Sociology of religion.
Kevin Hart Literature and theology; hermeneutics.
Peter Howard History of popular Christianity and Renaissance society and religion.
Ian Mabbett Early Asian history, principally Indian and Cambodian; history of religions, principally Buddhism.
Constant Mews Cultural, intellectual and religious history of Europe, especially of the twelfth century
Marian Quartly Religion and Australian history.
Walter Veit Hymnology.
PhD
The centre facilitates enrolment in PhD programs with a focus on the study of religion and theology.
MA by research
The centre offers the MA by research for candidates examining issues in religion and theology.
Entry requirements
An honours degree (H2A or above) or its equivalent in one or more arts or theological disciplines.
MA by coursework
Coordinator: Associate Professor Kevin Hart
Entry requirements
Candidates with a strong (credit-level or better) undergraduate background in one or more arts or theological disciplines are encouraged to apply for the MA by coursework. An honours degree with a grade of H2A or above or its equivalent in one or more arts or theological disciplines is required for admission to the MA by coursework at Part II.
Part I
Students will take subjects to the value of forty-eight points from approved subjects offered at fourth-year level.
Core subjects
* RLM4010 The search for enlightenment: paths of East and West
* RLM4090 The authority of the text: the hermeneutical question
Part II
There are two paths through Part II of the MA, through (a) coursework and (b) research.
(a) Through coursework alone
Four subjects to the value of forty-eight points, to be chosen from the list of fourth and fifth-year subjects. At least one of the core subjects must be chosen if not already taken at honours or Part I. One subject may be a research paper of 9000 words.
(b) Through research
One or two subjects to the value of sixteenpoints, to be chosen from the fourth and fifth-year subjects. At least one of the core subjects must be chosen if not already taken at honours or Part I. In addition, students will enroll in a thesis (equivalent to 66 per cent) which is usually of 25,000-35,000 words.