Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

This course builds on existing academic strengths at Monash University by bringing together scholars working in the fields of Judaic, Christian and Islamic scholarship. The course will coordinate existing research interests of three Centres Australian Centre for the Study of Jewish Civilisation, Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology and Centre for Islam and the Modern World in order to position Monash Arts Faculty as a leading institute in collaborative approaches to interreligious studies.

Students successfully completing this course will be expected to demonstrate:

• a comprehensive and critical understanding of the key institutions, beliefs and practices of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
• familiarity with the major texts and the interpretative methods used to promote, preserve and determine their meaning
• sound knowledge of the historical contexts in which these traditions evolved
• awareness of the commonalities of the respective traditions
• skills which explain historical and contemporary reasons for conflict between the traditions
• an appreciation of the varieties of religious discourse, such as mystical testimonies, political theology, hermeneutical practices and philosophies of law
• familiarity with challenges brought about by the encounter between tradition and modernity and an appreciation of the internal resources available to address such challenges
• the capacity to engage in a research project.

This course consists of two 12-point core units and two 12-point elective units.

Students complete:

• HYM4175 Interpreting the Bible: Jewish and Christian perspectives
• HYM4260 Medieval dialogues: Reason, mysticism and society

plus two electives from the following:

• HYM4840 Text and community in Renaissance Italy
• JWM4020 Zionism: The argument
• JWM4030 Jewish history, Jewish memory
• RLM4040 Islamic thought in the modern world
• RLM4060 Medieval women and their world: Constructing identities 1100-1450
• RLM4100 Religion and ceremony in Australian society
• RLM4110 Sustainability and the sacred
• RLM4145 Interpreting the sources of Islam: The Qur'an and hadith
• RLM4160 Sexuality and religion: Monotheist traditions

Students who complete the graduate diploma with a minimum credit average, may apply to enter course 4023 Master of Interreligious Studies.

After successful completion of 24 points, students may apply to exit the program with course 4021 Graduate Certificate in Interreligious Studies.

Graduate Diploma in Interreligious Studies