Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
MA Theology and Religion
1. Programme Details
Programme name | MA Theology and Religion | Programme code | PTA1CTHCTH12 |
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Study mode(s) | Part Time Full Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Our MA in Theology and Religion offers an excellent opportunity to study theology in an in-depth, focused and critical way, either with a view to advanced study or research, for professional development or for employment. It offers modules based on the research interests of staff, allowing you to access the latest developments in biblical studies, systematic, applied and feminist theology, church history, philosophy of religion and ethics, and science and religion.
Advice and guidance on your programme can be sought from your personal tutor and programme director. All staff offer regular office hours that you can drop into without a prior appointment for this purpose.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims:
- To offer an excellent MA level programme in Theology that develops BA level study in this subject and cognate areas.
- To provide a stimulating and supportive environment for students that is informed by research.
- To offer an in-depth, focused and critical degree which is based on the latest research in major areas of the discipline, biblical, doctrinal, systematic, philosophical and ethical, and which combines a choice of relevant modules with an individual path of learning
- To provide the opportunity for you to acquire or develop a knowledge of New Testament Greek or Biblical Hebrew to support other aspects of the MA programme or to provide a basis for further research.
- To develop academic and personal skills that equip you for further study, employment, or further professional development, and to foster mental agility and adaptability, so as to enable you to deploy your academic and personal skills to implement systematic and balanced judgements in a variety of circumstances.
- To provide methodological skills and specialist knowledge, for advanced study or research in various fields, for professional development, or for employment.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
www.intranet.exeter.ac.uk/humanities/studying/postgraduatetaught/modules/
You are expected to take at least two 30 credit modules from the list of optional modules. You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
You may take up to 30 credits of elective modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Any requests to take modules outside the Department of Theology and Religion are dependent on the agreement of the programme director.
Stage 1
60 credits of compulsory modules and 120 credits of optional modules
a You may select any of the options modules, however THEM124 and THEM126 OR THEM125 and THEM127 only run in alternate years. You can only select the language options which are running for the current academic year
Compulsory Modules
Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
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THEM020 | Dissertation | 60 | Yes |
Optional Modules
Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
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MA Theology options 2023-4 [See note a above] | |||
CTHM007 | Research Skills in Classics, Ancient History and Theology | 30 | No |
THEM124 | Elements of New Testament Greek | 15 | No |
THEM150 | Modern Christian Thought | 15 | No |
THEM306 | Heaven and Philosophy | 15 | No |
THEM310 | The First Tourists? Helena, Egeria and the Rise of Christian Pilgrimage | 15 | No |
THEM126 | Intermediate New Testament Greek | 15 | No |
THEM303 | Cultures of Age and Aging in the Bible and Beyond | 15 | No |
THEM305 | Ecological Interpretation of the Bible | 15 | No |
THEM311 | Theology and Trauma | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
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...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Demonstrate a detailed, in-depth knowledge of the particular subject area in theology. | 1-3 are developed by seminar work in the option modules, by course work essays and by the dissertation. These forms of understanding are developed by a combination of advanced instruction and independent study and research, the preparation and delivery of oral presentations, participation in focused discussion, the preparation of written essays and a substantial dissertation based on independent research. | The assessment of 1-3 is by extended essays and by the substantial dissertation. The assessment of 4 is made through a combination of examination and continuous assessment testing progressive language acquisition and the ability to translate and comment on biblical passages. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
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...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Identify, synthesise and analyse evidence of different types, showing an awareness of the distinctive features of different types of evidence and the problems these raise. | Skills 5-11 in general are developed through the guided study and independent research in the seminars and the dissertation. More specifically the research methodology module and e.g. the bibliographical diary module provide instruction in and deployment of 9-11. | Skills 5-11 are assessed formatively through oral presentations and discussion in the seminars, and summatively by extended essays and by the dissertation. Skills 9-11 are assessed specifically through the written assignments in the research methodology module and e.g. the bibliographical diary module. Skill 12 is developed through regular language classes involving grammar exercises and written translation, interpretative comment and essays. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
---|---|---|
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
13. Present and defend a complex and sustained argument orally in a clear, confident, organised and effective manner. | Skills 13-15 and 17-19 are developed through the preparation and delivery of oral presentations and the discussion of challenging and complex material in the option modules. | Skills 13, 15, 17 and 18 are formatively assessed by responses from tutor and fellow students to oral contributions to seminars, and by the student’s own self-assessment of these. |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
All students on the MA Theology will have a personal tutor for their entire programme of study. Such personal tutors will be available at advertised ‘office hours’ (staff changes can change due to Research Leave, etc.). A personal tutoring system will operate with regular communication throughout the programme. Academic support is also provided by module leaders. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff, and where appropriate, expert guest tutors can act as industry mentors for your Project Dissertation.
Useful information and student resources can be accessed via the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE): http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/login/index.php, which has specific information on library skills, essay writing and research skills.
Programme handbooks and other useful information can be accessed via the student intranet: http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/humanities/studying/taughthandbook/.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MA Theology and Religion
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
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22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
Origin Date | 17/03/2010 |
Date of last revision | 14/04/2021 |
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