Director and graduate coordinator: Dr Constant Mews
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 Dr Constant Mews, 9905 2185, or Professor Gary D Bouma, 9905 2982.
Philip Ayres Seventeeth and eighteenth-century English literature and religion.
Harry Ballis Sociology of religion, career change, research methods.
Gary Bouma Sociology of religion.
Kevin Hart Literature and theology; hermeneutics.
Peter Howard History of popular Christianity and Renaissance society and religion.
Neville Knight Sociology of religion; spiritual experience; Christian sects and movements; youth and religion.
Ian Mabbett Early Asian history, principally Indian and Cambodian; history of religions, principally Buddhism.
Constant Mews Medieval, intellectual and religious history; comparative religion.
Marian Quartly Religion and Australian history.
Kate Rigby German literature, culture and society; feminist theory and ecological spirituality.
Walter Veit Hymnology, hermeneutics.
Millicent Vladiv-Glover Post-structuralist theory, comparative literature
Students who successfully complete the MA in religion and theology will have demonstrated their ability to analyse religious and theological issues in their cultural, historical and literary context, in the light of contemporary theoretical perspectives; demonstrated their understanding of the interaction between religion and society as well as of the role of sacred texts in the self-understanding of a religious tradition; demonstrated their ability to discuss critically and clearly the contemporary significance of a variety of religious traditions and perspectives.
Course code: 0020
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $A12,000 pa
The centre facilitates enrolment in PhD programs with a focus on the study of religion and theology. Students must enrol, however, within a specific department.
Course code: 0017
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $A12,000 pa
The centre offers the MA by 100 per cent research for candidates examining issues in religion and theology.
An honours degree (H2A or above), a Masters Qualifying with a research component in religion and theology (H2A or above) or its equivalent in one or more arts or theological disciplines.
Course code: 0017
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $A12,000 pa.
Coordinator: Dr Constant Mews
An honours degree in one or more arts or theological disciplines or a Masters Qualifying with a research component in religion and theology (H2A or above).
Students will take one or two subjects to the value of sixteen points, to be chosen from fifth year subjects. At least one of the core subjects (RLM5100 Religion in Australian society or RLM5090 The authority of the text) must be taken if not already taken at honours or for Masters Qualifying. In addition, a student will enrol in a thesis equivalent to 66 per cent research which is usually of 25,000-35,000 words.
* Subject to approval.
Program code: 1988Program fee: Local students HECS; international students $A12,000 pa
Program director: Constant Mews
This program replaces the masters part one by coursework. It provides an introduction to graduate study of religion and theology and training in research work, comparable to that provided by BA (hons) in religion and theology. It will be especially useful for students coming back to study after time in the worksforce who wish to acquaint themselves with recent debates in the study of religion and theology.Upon successful completion of three subjects and a research project, students should have demonstrated an ability to find and employ a range of sources in the interpretation of a religious or theological question; show an awareness of theoretical issues which bear on the topics they select for close examination; develop coherent arguments and arrive at clear conclusions based on evidence; gain a more thorough understanding of methodological and theoretical debates concerning the study of religion and theology
Candidates holding a pass degree with a strong (credit-level average in third part of a major) undergraduate background in one or more arts or theological disciplines.
Students who have completed relevant subjects at fourth year level with a grade of credit or above may apply for a maximum of 50 per cent credit at the time they seek entry into the program. They must complete, however, RLM4000 and one methodology subject. Candidates may seek permission to undertake subjects at fourth year level at a tertiary institution, such as the Melbourne College of Divinity, approved by the director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology. Under no circumstances may subjects taken outside Monash amount to more than 50 per cent.
Students will be required to enrol in forty-eight points of coursework comprising: