Master of Arts - Theology and Religious Studies

University of Roehampton

This course provides a systematic and in-depth understanding of key theological and religious issues within Christianity, Islam, Indian Religions and Judaism, taught by a passionate and experienced subject team.

As faiths of all kinds navigate their way through a period of great social change, it is more important than ever to possess an in-depth understanding of how religions interact with each other and society. This MA Theology and Religious Studies creatively balances the close study of particular traditions with a broad understanding of the subject area. It is one of the few programmes in London that offers specialised teaching in Islam, Indian Religions and Judaism as well as several different aspects of Christian theology.

On this course, students can study a variety of religious traditions in relation to key topics such as social justice, gender, text and textual interpretation, and inter-religious dialogue and conflict. Students will have the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of particular religious themes, with a broad view of religious studies, and its diverse forms of interpretation and practice. This course will suit students who want to develop advanced skills in the study and analysis of a range of issues, rather than focus on one specialist subject.

A strength of the course is that it allows students to have a critical awareness of the relationship between different religions and modern secular society, with an informed and scholarly understanding of differences within as well as between religious traditions and cultures. From this, students will use advanced methods of research and critical analysis to explore the ways in which different religious perspectives contribute to contemporary debates about identity, politics and culture.

Drawing on London's rich resources for studying religions in their material, social and historical contexts, this course provides an enhanced learning environment and contributes to the students' wider cultural awareness and understanding. This is underpinned by a focus on advanced study and research skills, designed to equip students with a high level of proven academic competence and preparing them for careers and vocations that require this expertise. This might include educational institutions, NGOs and other organisations in which understanding of religious perspectives is an advantage.

The MA in Theology and Religious Studies allows students to focus on a broad range of topics within the subject area, and study their particular interests in-depth.

On offer are modules that will ground students in theories and methods of study in religious studies, theology, and biblical studies as well as specialised teaching in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and different aspects of Christian theology, including theological perspectives from the global South. Students can study gender across these traditions, for example looking at women in Islam from feminist, reformist and traditionalist perspectives, or specifically looking at gender across religious texts and narratives. Or students could study contemporary doctrine, such as Pentecostalism in different parts of the world, or systematic approaches to the relationship between theology and ecology.

Finally, students will write a dissertation on a topic of their choice, which can be informed by their study on the optional modules, or from an area of interest of their own.