MASTER OF LETTERS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

The taught degree of MLitt gives students the opportunity to study Religious Studies at a more advanced level than that for an undergraduate degree, whether as an end in itself or as appropriate preparation for further postgraduate research. This degree is ideal for those who want to teach Religious Education or to go into librarianship.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT ABERDEEN

Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen was established in 1970, with the aim of studying religion both comparatively and social scientifically. Religious Studies is distinct from Divinity. It focuses more on the issues of the origin and function of religion than on the issue of the truth of religion. All religions are treated on a par, and sociological, economic, anthropological, and psychological topics are commonly considered. At the same time primary texts are studied, ideally in their original languages, and the history of the religions studied is considered indispensable.

Originally a separate department within the Faculty of Arts and Divinity, Religious Studies then became part of the Department of Divinity. The department was renamed ‘Divinity with Religious Studies’ in 1993. Since 2006, Religious Studies has been part of the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, in the sub-discipline now called Divinity and Religious Studies. It is located in the historic King’s College Quadrangle in Old Aberdeen. In the most recent (2008) research assessment exercise, Divinity and Religious Studies was ranked 2nd in the UK, thereby confirming its reputation for outstanding scholarship.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The degree of Master of Letters (Religious Studies) consists of the following components:

I  Research Skills Preparation (30 credit points)

II  Elective Courses (90 credit points)

chosen from Level 5 courses in Religious Studies, such as:

              Essentials of Confucianism

              Interpreting Myth

              Qur’an and Commentary

              Readings in Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism

              Theorising Religion with the Frankfurt School

           (Not all of these courses will run every year)

Up to 30 credit points can be taken from postgraduate courses in any other discipline, and also, at the discretion of the

Programme Co-ordinator, from courses in Religious Studies below Level 5, such as:

              Atheism

              Buddhist Philosophy

              Social Anthropology of Religions

              The Life of Muhammad

              Understanding New Religious Movements

              (Not all of these courses will run every year)

The degree may be awarded with designation in a particular sub-discipline, according to the courses taken.

(For an up-to-date list of the courses for each year, see: www.abdn.ac.uk/divinity/pgrad/)

III  Dissertation (20,000 words, 60 credit points) on a topic related to the degree.

TEACHING STAFF

Professor Robert Segal

Theories of Religion, Theories of Myth, and Theories of Ritual; Gnosticism: Ancient and Modern.

Dr Leigh Clayton (Centre for Lifelong Learning)

Myth and Landscape; Religion in Film; Jain and Buddhist Logical Systems; Philosophy of Knowledge in Islam.

Dr Anja Finger

Non-Religion: Histories/Herstories, Cultures, Identifications; Queering Religion/s: Trans Stories, Cultures, Theories.

Dr Zohar Hadromi-Allouche

Islam: History, Culture, Doctrine; Islamic Sources: Qur’an, Tafsir, Hadith, Sira, and related genres.

Dr Lukas Pokorny

East Asian Religions: History, Culture, Doctrine; New Religious Movements: History, Culture, Doctrine.

Dr Will Tuladhar-Douglas

Ethnoecology; Social Anthropology and History of the Himalayan Region; Buddhist Texts and Ethics; Sanskrit Vajrayana Buddhism; Newar Studies.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for MLitt degrees normally need an upper-second Honours degree in Religious Studies or equivalent. For international applicants, proof of proficiency in English is required. Accepted certificates and minimum scores: IELTS overall score 6.5, with Listening 5.5 minimum, Reading 6.0 minimum, Speaking 5.5 minimum, Writing 6.0 minimum; for required scores in TOEFL iBT and PT Academic, please look at www.abdn.ac.uk/international/english-requirements
Applicants must furnish the University with transcripts of their previous academic study and also with the names of two academic referees; applicants may also send the letters, in signed
sealed envelopes, with the application.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact Programme Co-ordinator:

Dr Lukas Pokorny

Email: l.pokorny@abdn.ac.uk

For any further information regarding this programme, or the application process, please contact the secretary below.

Postgraduate Secretary

School of Divinity, History and Philosophy

King's College, University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen AB24 3UB

Scotland, UK

Telephone: +44 (0)1224 272380

Fax: +44 (0)1224 273750