|
About the Department | Undergraduate
Study | Postgraduate Study | Staff
Directory | News & Events
Research Supervision in Divinity
The School offers the following areas of research interest at postgraduate
level:
Church History
Mediaeval theology; The 16th century Reformations (particularly Luther, Calvin and Scottish theologians); The patristic revival of the 15th and 16th centuries; Early Modern Scottish church history; History of Christian worship; Christianity and religious tolerance; Christian thought in Europe since the Enlightenment; History of Episcopalian Thought and Practice; Mediaeval spirituality, mysticism, and piety in general, both in theory and practice; Spirituality and life styles of religious and secular women in particular, including literacy and literature; The religious movements of the 11th to early 15th centuries, both in their orthodox and heterodox appearances; Monastic reform movements of the 15th centuries; The beginnings of the English reformation.
Postgraduate students are welcome to attend postgraduate seminars in the School, whether in other theological disciplines such as Systematic Theology, or in related disciplines such as Early Modern Studies.
Old Testament / Hebrew Bible
Supervision is offered in most areas of Old Testament studies. The research
interests of the staff cover the theology and interpretation of the Hebrew
Scriptures, Psalms, OT Historiography, Achaemenid Period, the Prophetic Literature, critique of the Priesthood, Medieval Jewish exegesis and ancient
Near Eastern literature. Supervision can also be offered in early versions
of the OT such as Septuagint, Targumim and Peshitta. Languages offered
include:
- Akkadian
- Aramaic
- Hebrew
- North-West Semitic epigraphy
- Ugaritic
New Testament
Supervision is offered in most areas of New Testament
study. Among topics of current postgraduate research are: Matthew's understanding
of the history of Israel; Mark's Gospel as an Oral document; the use of
Ps 62 in the NT and early Judaism; Paul's eschatology; spiritual gifts
in 1 Cor 12-14; 'light' symbolism in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gospel
of John; the Coptic versions of John; the use of Lev 18.5 in early Christianity
and Judaism; 'repentance' in the thought of the historical Jesus and of
the Qumran community; the journey motif in Luke-Acts; the "indwelling"
motif in the Gospel of John; the theology of Galatians; theology and ethics
in Philippians; the use of the OT in Hebrews and Barnabas; a canonical
approach to the "catholic epistles"; the origins of the synagogue.
Areas of staff research interest include Pauline theology, with particular
reference to the so-called "new perspective on Paul"; Johannine
theology; the use of the OT in the NT; early Christianity within its Hellenistic
environment; apocryphal gospels; hermeneutics.
In July 2006 Aberdeen University hosted the congress of the Studiorum
Novi Testamenti Societas.
Practical Theology
Supervision is offered in all areas of practical theology. In particular expertise is available in the following areas:
Pastoral issues
Pastoral care and counselling, Christian healing. The role of the church community in the care of marginalised people, the pastoral implications of theodicy, spirituality and healthcare, spirituality and cancer with a particular focus on breast cancer.
Disability theology
Disability in the Christian tradition, the theology of cognitive and intellectual disabilities, mental health and illness, Theology, spirituality and dementia,
Christian mission: The relationship between the church and contemporary culture/society, the nature of discipleship in a changing world; the theology and practice of new churches; contemporary models of evangelism; the role of worship as a political and social force; the difference that Christian faith and doctrine makes for living in a changing post-modern cultural context.
Qualitative research: practical theology and qualitative research methods, methodological issues in Practical Theology
All postgraduate students in Practical Theology are members of a flourishing research community which provides an opportunity for students to interact with one another and with highly regarded scholars from across the theological disciplines.
Theological Ethics
Supervision is offered in all areas of theological ethics (and with three university post-holders Aberdeen currently has the UK’s best staffed department in this field). Particular expertise is available for the following areas:
Methodological issues in Christian ethics; sources of Christian ethics; the doctrinal location of Christian ethics; scripture in Christian ethics; the theologies of Augustine, Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Stanley Hauerwas; political theology; theological anthropology; ecclesiology and Christian ethics; technology and Christian moral reasoning; medical and environmental ethics; the family; globalisation; war and peace
Systematic Theology
Supervision can be offered in all areas of constructive Christian theology, as well as historical theology (especially of the modern period), philosophical theology and theological ethics. Particular research interests of staff include the following:
- Major topics in Christian dogmatics, including the doctrine of God, creation and providence, Christology, soteriology and ecclesiology
- The relations of moral and systematic theology
- Public theology, political theology, post-liberal theology and theologies of the religions
- The nature and interpretation of Scripture
- Patristic theologians, including Origen and the Cappadocians
- Reformation and post-Reformation theologians
- Themes and figures in the history of modern theology, including Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The School is home to the David Lewis Karl Barth Collection, which gives it the most complete collection of books by and on Karl Barth in Scotland.
Divinity and Theology Studentships available for 2013/2014
Making an application for the PhD in Divinity
Applicants must submit the following supporting documents alongside their application form:
- Copies of degree certificates from their previous academic studies
- Academic transcripts - The transcript, which lists all of the classes taken and marks gained, must be requested by the student and sent to us. You should therefore get in touch with the University where you gained your degree, and they will tell you what you need to do and will arrange to produce and send us the transcript.
- Two academic references; either submitted online with your application form, scanned and sent to dhp-pgs@abdn.ac.uk by your referees or please provide the details of the referees on the application form. Applicants may also send the reference letter, in a signed sealed envelope, directly to the school at the address below.
- Your research proposal
If you have any queries about making your application, please contact the Postgraduate Secretary
Postgraduate Applications Secretary
School of Divinity, History and Philosophy
50/52 College Bounds
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen AB24 3DS
Scotland, UK
Email dhp-pgs@abdn.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1224 272890
Fax: +44 (0)1224 273750
For more information about areas of supervision or to correspond with a potential supervisor, please visit our staff page.
International students should note that there is an application deadline at the end of June, so that visa applications can be completed in time for Autumn arrival; EU students may apply later.
Further details of staff research interests and publications can be found at
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/divinity/staff
This page was last modified on:
Monday, 28-Jan-2013 09:53:29 GMT
School of Divinity, History and
Philosophy
King's College · University of Aberdeen · Aberdeen AB24 3UB
Tel: +44 (0) 1224-272366 · Fax: +44 (0) 1224-273750
|
