All human cultures reflect on the meaning of life through myth, symbol and abstract reflection. Studying the religions and theologies of different cultures, within a variety of historical contexts, is both an important intellectual exercise and a fascinating process that provokes many questions about the past, the present and the future. The Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology was established in order to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research in the areas of religion and theology. The centre has established extensive links with the Melbourne College of Divinity and offers symposia, workshops and seminars in which research into religion and theology is presented and discussed. The centre is devoted to the critical study of a wide range of religious traditions, as interpreted both in the past and in the contemporary world. It is also concerned with thinking about the ways in which specific religious traditions (such as Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity) engage in intellectual reflection on a wide range of specific issues, such as the nature of God, ethics, social issues, gender, the environment and the meaning of life.
The centre has research strengths in the area of the relationship between culture and belief, both in relation to contemporary society and to the past. There is supervisory expertise in the historical and literary analysis of religion in biblical, medieval and early modern periods, as well as in contemporary (postmodern) approaches to the study of religious questions, including religion in Australian society. Expertise also exists in the history of Buddhism, contemporary hermeneutics, gender studies, environmental thought, philosophical theology, and Jewish civilisation, religion and history, ancient and modern.
Research in religion and theology at Monash can take a variety of forms. Students who have not undertaken formal studies in religion and theology but have a pass degree in another discipline are encouraged to apply for the MQual degree, prior to undertaking an MA, which can either be by 100 per cent research or by a combination of coursework and research. There is a regular discussion group that meets monthly. For further information, refer to entries under `General information' earlier in this section and http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/religion_theology/.
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