St Philip's Centre

Study & Engagement in a Multi Faith Society

M.A Course

MA in Theology (Interreligious Relations – St. Philips Pathway)

The St Philips Centre for Study and Engagement in a Multi Faith Society has been established in Leicester as a national educational centre, under the Presence and Engagement initiative of the Church of England.  It was officially opened by the Archbishop of Canterbury on June 2^nd 2006.   
The Centre is sited in Leicester, which is geographically very accessible to a wide area and has the most multi religious population in the country, outside London.   It has large communities of Muslims and Hindus in almost equal numbers, and significant communities of all other faiths.  It has a record in interfaith relations second to none, at the civic and religious community level.  
St Philip's Pathway to the MA in Inter-religious Relations of the University of Birmingham began in September 2006.  We believe this can become instrumental in enabling the leadership of the churches and faith communities in the future.'
St Philip’s has a Partnership Agreement with the Islamic Foundation in Markfield, just outside Leicester.  We are also in discussion about such a partnership with the Centre for Hindu Studies in Oxford.  MA participants can benefit from these.
  

The modules

Placement (St Philip's)
The Bible and scriptures of various faiths
Prayer and Pastoral Care
Religion as a Source of conflict or Cohesion: a case study of Leicester
 

It is also possible to enroll for a Diploma (120 credits, without dissertation) or Certificate (requiring 60 credits).  Students are welcome to audit the course, where they are not seeking accreditation, and will not be required to do the written work.   

Who is the Pathway for?

• Christian clergy or lay people from all denominations, who have an academic or practical interest in this field.
• Christian clergy or lay people who see themselves developing as specialist ministers in interfaith relations; for example, those who wish to become Diocesan Advisers in the Anglican Church, or the equivalent in other churches.
• Someone from a church or other institution within the European Union, who has a placement or other engagement in the region (From outside the EU, fees would be double the published figure here).
• Those who wish to go on in the future to a research degree in this field.
• People of faiths other than Christian, who wish to consider the range of issues involved, and where their own faith position will enrich and challenge the class.
• Those of no religious faith, but who are aware of the importance of faith and faiths in today’s world.
• Those working for secular agencies, private or public, where faith issues are to the fore.
• Those who have an academic interest in this fascinating field!

Part time or full time?    This pathway will normally be followed part time, over two years.  However, it is also possible to complete the MA full time in one full year.

Mode?  This is a taught MA.  180 credits are required.  60 Credits are for the dissertation, and in addition, there will be 6 modules of 20 credits each.   At present, four of these are offered at St Philip’s Centre, Leicester, and two will be through attendance at the Selly Oak campus of the University of Birmingham.  It is also possible for those studying primarily in Birmingham to do particular modules in Leicester, and vice versa.

When are the taught classes?    Three of the modules will be taught on Saturdays, in Leicester.  Each will require attendance on three full days.  The placement module (see below) will require attendance at induction and reflection seminars, also on Saturdays.  The modules in Birmingham- one required module on Research Methodology, and an additional module, will be offered on Mondays, within the second term (though the additional module could also be chosen from a list which might come on another day in the week).

Modules offered through this Pathway, from September 2006  (for full details see below)  

• Religion: Conflict or Cohesion.

We hear much about ‘the clash of civilisations’ and its religious rooting.  Such concepts will be studied, as we look at various aspects of conflict, intra religious, cross religious, within the person, in stories of conversion etc.  How can religions also provide paths towards cohesion and reconciliation?  This module will use Leicester as a case study, with its very varied religious make up.  Students will be able to write their assignment on their own context, if they wish to offer a contextual reflection.  

• Prayer and Pastoral Care.  

Many find themselves involved in inter-religious relations through encounter with pastoral situations.  These include inter faith marriage and family issues, the consequences of conversion, involvement with young people through educational institutions, and prisons.  It may come through hospitals, or through involvement with life cycle events.  Another area of engagement is through questions of prayer or worship together, in the private, group or public sphere.  These raise different kinds of questions, depending on the faith or faiths involved.   Students will be encouraged to share such experiences with the group, and to do part of their writing around particular examples.  This will not, however, preclude the student who wishes to reflect in a more general way.  

• The Bible and Scriptures of various faiths.

The books of the Bible all came out of a multi faith world.  How can the Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament be used within today’s multi religious world?  This module will focus on a range of examples.  It will also consider how the Bible can relate to the scriptures of other faiths, with particular speakers coming from those faiths.   We will also consider whether scripture is an appropriate starting point for reflection on inter-religious encounter.  

• Placement Module.  

This will be a supervised placement of a minimum of 60 hours, and will normally happen in a place near to the student’s home or work.  It should be in the community of a faith other than the student’s own, in a religious institution of such a faith, within an agency working across faiths, within a chaplaincy context, a school which is multi religious, or within a church in a multi faith area.    Other suggestions can be made.  Rigorous reflection will be required, and there will be guidance on this, as well as seminar support.

Timing 

a.  Part time  

The dissertation will be done during the second year.  

The Research methodology module will be on Mondays in the Spring term.

The other Birmingham module can be at the student’s convenience.  Another module or modules will also be offered on the same Monday.  Or another module can be chosen at another time.

b.  Full time

This schedule will allow a student to study full time and complete by the September following enrolment, by advancing the dissertation.

Enrolment  

This will be through the normal processes of The University of Birmingham.  Forms are available through this website

http://www.theology.bham.ac.uk/postgrad/interrel/

, and hard copies through the University Office, or through St Philip’s Centre, where further enquiries can be addressed (to the Dean of Post Graduate Studies, Dr Alan Race, St Philip's Centre).   

Assessment

This will be by required class attendance, participation and engagement, as well as by written assessment.  

Fees

£4,200 for the MA course, part time or full time

 £2,800 for the Diploma

£1,400 for the Certificate

Financial help 

There may be some limited scholarship help available through the Centre.  Please enquire.  We suggest also that you seek part or full sponsorship from your church, religious institution, or employer.  

Entry requirement

A degree in theology, or some related subject, or an appropriate level of professional training, or work experience.

It is possible to begin by enrolling for a Diploma or Certificate, and to be upgraded on evidence of performance.  

Library facilities 

These are being developed at St Philip’s Centre.  Books can also be borrowed from the University of Birmingham Library, the Orchard Centre, Selly Oak.  For Islam and related subjects, the excellent library at Markfield can also be used.

How to Apply

For an application form and all general or specific enquiries, please contact

Dr. Alan Race, Dean of Post Graduate Studies

E-mail: alan.race@stphilipscentre.co.uk

Phone: 0116 273 3459

Or visit the University of Birmingham's website for a downloadable application form

http://www.theology.bham.ac.uk/postgrad/interrel/