DEGREE OF MASTER OF STUDIES IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION · - 2 - MSt Study of Religions Course...

FACULTY OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGION

Course Handbook for the Master of Studies in Study of Religions

2017-2018

- 2 -

MSt Study of Religions Course Handbook 2017/18

Foreword This handbook applies to students starting the MSt in Study of Religions course in Michaelmas term 2017. The information in this handbook may be different for students starting in other years. The Examination Regulations relating to this course are available at

http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/2017-18/mosistudofreli/studentview/

If there is a conflict between information in this handbook and the Examination Regulations then you should follow the Examination Regulations. If you have any concerns please contact the Graduate Studies Administrator at [email protected].

Version Purpose/Change Date

1.0 Final version 3 October

2017

2 Time/date change for HT and TT 3 November 2017

Disclaimer:

The information in this handbook is accurate as at 3 October 2017, however it may be necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained at www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/coursechanges. If such changes are made the department will publish a new version of this handbook together with a list of the changes and students will be informed.


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/coursechanges

- 3 -


Contents

1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Course Information .................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Key Contacts ............................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Important dates ......................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Other Important dates ............................................................................................................... 6

2. Course Content and Structure ............................................................................................................ 8 2.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Course Aims ............................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Intended Learning Outcomes .................................................................................................... 8

A. Knowledge and understanding ............................................................................................. 8 B. Skills and other attributes ..................................................................................................... 8

2.4 Course Description ..................................................................................................................... 9 2.5 Course Regulations .................................................................................................................. 11 2.5.1 The Nature of Religion: study outline ................................................................................... 13 2.5.2 (a) Buddhism: study outline .................................................................................................. 14 2.5.3 (b) Christianity: study outline ............................................................................................... 15 2.5.4 (c) Islam: study outline .......................................................................................................... 16 2.5.5 (d) Judaism: study outline ..................................................................................................... 17 2.5.6 (e) Hinduism: Study outline .................................................................................................. 18

3. Assessment ........................................................................................................................................ 19 3.1 Elements of Assessment .......................................................................................................... 19 3.2 Examination entry and examination dates .............................................................................. 20 3.3 Guidance for the submission of proposals for titles of essays and dissertations ................... 21 3.4 Guidance for the submission of written work for examination .............................................. 21 3.5 Conduct in examinations ......................................................................................................... 22 3.6 Examination conventions and grade descriptors .................................................................... 22 3.7 External Examiner and Examiners’ Reports ............................................................................. 22

- 4 -


Master of Studies in Study of Religions

Welcome to Oxford and welcome to an exciting course in which you will be exploring a variety of approaches, theories and methods in studying the phenomena of religions and the dynamics of inter-religious encounters as you examine two religious traditions of your choice in depth. I much look forward to meeting you and discussing your interests. In the meantime I hope you will find this handbook useful in gaining an overview of the course and its requirements. Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions you might have.

Anna Sapir Abulafia Professor of the Study of the Abrahamic Religions

Course Coordinator, MSt Study of Religions Director of Graduate Studies

1. Introduction 1.1 Course Information The course requirements presented in this pamphlet are based on the Examination Regulations, which can be found online at


The Examination Regulations remain the definitive regulations for all courses, although this pamphlet is designed to present them in an accessible format and to add further details for clarification. If in any doubt, please always consult the Examination Regulations. Copies of all handbooks, pamphlets and forms can be found on the Faculty’s WebLearn site. Other key sources of information are the Faculty website and the University’s Oxford Students website. Please be aware that the colleges have their own handbooks, which are available on college websites.



https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/humdiv/theology/theo_grad

http://www.theology.ox.ac.uk/

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students

- 5 -


1.2 Key Contacts Course Coordinator All students are assigned a supervisor, and in some cases this will be the course coordinator for the course that you are enrolled on. Your supervisor may arrange for some or all of the teaching to be undertaken by other members of academic staff, but your supervisor will still retain overall responsibility for your progress. The course coordinator for the Master of Studies in Study of Religions is Professor Anna Sapir Abulafia (email: [email protected]) Other useful contacts: Graduate Studies Administrator (Theology and Religion Faculty Office): (phone: 01865 270714, email: [email protected]). Graduate Studies Assistant (Humanities Division Graduate Office): Mr Nick Fowler (phone: 01865 270048, email: [email protected]). For queries regarding the examinations and assessments process, please contact your supervisor or, if it concerns an administrative matter, your college office, or email: [email protected]. Director of Graduate Studies: Professor Anna Sapir Abulafia (email: [email protected]) 1.3 SEMINAR AND LECTURE TIMETABLE: MICHAELMAS:

MSt COURSE ORGANISER TIME WEEKS VENUE

Core Course Part 1: Theories and Methods In The Study Of Religion

PROF SONDRA HAUSNER

W. 10-12 1-8

St Peter's College, Latner Room

(wks 1-2 and 5-8)

History Seminar Room Wks 3,4

Interdisciplinary Research Seminar in the Study of Religions PUBLIC LECTURE

PROF. ANNA SAPIR ABULAFIA

Dr Alex Henley

F. 1.45-3.15

M. 5.00

2,4,6,8

5

Lady Margaret Hall, Talbot Hall (wk 2); Old Library (wk 4); Mary

O’Brien (wks 6,8)

PEMBROKE COLLEGE






- 6 -


Plus any lectures your supervisor and or tutors advise you to attend in the religions you have chosen to study. Plus any languages course you have chosen to take in consultation with your supervisor. HILARY TERM:

Core Course Part II: Themes in the Interaction between Religions


W. 10-12 1-8 Lodge Seminar, Lady

Margaret Hall

Class on writing essays PROF. ANNA SAPIR

ABULAFIA F. 1.45-3.15 1

Lodge Seminar, Lady Margaret Hall

Interdisciplinary Research Seminar in the Study of Religions


F. 1.45-3.15 2,4,6,8 Lady Margaret Hall,

Talbot Hall

Plus any lectures your supervisor and or tutors advise you to attend in the religions you have chosen to study. Plus any languages course you have chosen to take in consultation with your supervisor. TRINITY TERM:

DISSERTATION WORKSHOPS


F. 1.45-3.15 1-3 Lodge Seminar, Lady

Margaret Hall

REVISION CLASS CORE COURSES

PROF. ANNA SAPIR ABULAFIA/PROF.

SONDRA HAUSNER F. 1.45-3.15 4-6

Lodge Seminar, Lady Margaret Hall

1.4 Other Important dates Dates of full term 2017/18 (not including 0th week)

Michaelmas 2017: Sunday, 8 October to Saturday, 2 December 2017

Hilary 2018: Sunday, 14 January to Saturday 10 March 2018

Trinity 2018: Sunday, 22 April to Saturday, 16 June 2018

Deadline for submitting proposals for titles of essays and dissertations: Monday of fifth week (week 5) of Hilary term

- 7 -


Deadline for submitting essays: No later than Friday before the beginning of Trinity Term (i.e. Friday of 0th week) Deadline for submitting dissertations: No later than Friday of eighth week of Trinity Term Graduate Studies Committee: Meets on Tuesdays of weeks 1 and 6 each term Graduate Joint Consultative Committee: Meets on Tuesday of week 4 each term

- 8 -


2. Course Content and Structure 2.1 Overview Title of award: Master of Studies in Study of Religions FHEQ level 7 Length of course: 9 months 2.2 Course Aims The aims of the course are: 1. To introduce students to a variety of approaches (anthropological, psychological, sociological) to the study of religions. 2. To acquaint them with a number of classic texts on the subject written during the last 150 years. 3. To train students in the analysis and evaluation of the relevant documents and phenomena. 4. To develop an understanding in depth of topics from two different religious traditions. 5. To acquaint students with some of the dynamics of interactions between religions. 6. To teach students the art of selecting the most significant materials for their purpose and combining these to form a structured argument. 7. To develop the habits of critical questioning, clear exposition and objective evaluation. 2.3 Intended Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, students will have

acquired a general understanding of the field of the Study of Religions;

acquired some specialist knowledge of relevant primary and secondary literature in the Study of Religions and in two different religious traditions;

developed in intellectual depth and gained a deeper understanding of some of the profound issues concerning the nature of religion and the interactions between religious traditions.

B. Skills and other attributes

I. Intellectual skills

On completion of the course, students will have: • gained some specialist knowledge of a particular discipline and/or historical period, as a basis for more detailed research or as a foundation for teaching • gained a grounding in relevant research methods • written a dissertation, which may constitute a basis for proceeding to a future research degree.

- 9 -


II. Transferable skills

On completion of the course, students will be able to: (i) find information, organise and deploy it, including through the use of libraries and information technology; (ii) use such information critically and analytically; (iii) consider and solve complex problems; (iv) work well independently and in co-operation with others; (v) effectively structure and communicate their ideas in a variety of written and oral formats; (vi) plan and organise the use of time effectively; (vii) make appropriate use of language skills. Languages Students who intend to apply to pursue doctoral studies should begin learning the necessary languages to pursue doctoral research as early as the MSt level. The Oxford University Language Centre (OULC) at 12 Woodstock Road offers excellent facilities and free courses to members of the University who wish to learn or improve a foreign language relevant to their academic work Courses are offered in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Georgia, Modern Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Welsh, and English as a Foreign Language. Most courses consist of two single fifty-minute classes each week or one double class. Courses begin in October and continue throughout the academic year. If a course is required for study or research, there is a priority enrolment scheme. Students should make sure to discuss their language needs with supervisors at the start of the Michaelmas Term. 2.4 Course Description The course is studied over nine months full time. This degree’s main purpose is to enable students, under a directed programme of research, to widen their knowledge and understanding of the phenomena of religions of and in the world, their main beliefs and practices and inter-relationships, and the extent to which they may be profitably compared. Although it is not assumed that students will continue academic work in the field, the Master of Studies in the Study of Religions can be used as a stepping stone towards further research within the discipline, subject to the usual conditions of acceptance for research degrees.

The course will comprise three component parts:

1. A core course: ‘The Nature of Religion’ which comprises the following two elements:

‘Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion’ and ‘Themes in the Interaction between

Religions’. The first part of this course, ‘Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion’ will

provide an introduction to the core theoretical approaches in religious studies and will be

delivered via 8 weekly 1.5-2 hour seminars throughout Michaelmas. The second part of the

course, ‘Themes in the interaction between Religions’ will explore various themes touching on

interactions between religions including inter-religious disputations and will be delivered via 8

- 10 -


weekly 1.5-2 hour seminars throughout Hilary. All seminars will require student preparation

and will be led by academic staff. Attendance is compulsory. Professor Sondra Hausner will

organise the first part of the course and Professor Anna Sapir Abulafia the second for 2017-18.

2. and 3. Tuition in TWO world religious traditions, as selected by students. Tuition on the

major texts and doctrines in the following religions is normally offered: (a) Buddhism, (b)

Christianity, (c) Islam, (d) Judaism, or (e) Hinduism, or (f) any other paper that may from time

to time be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Theology and Religion. Students will

normally be assigned a tutor (or tutors) for each religion, who will guide them through study

over one of each of the first two terms of the academic year (i.e. you can normally expect to

study one religion in each term, though arrangements are subject to tutor availability).

In addition there is a fortnightly Inter-disciplinary Research Seminar on the Study of Religions on

alternate Fridays from 1.45-3.15 in weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 in the Michaelmas and Hilary Terms, on topics

directly relevant to the course, which all students MSt students are expected to attend. The Research

Seminar also gives MSt students a wonderful opportunity to get to know the research community in

the Study of Religions and to meet doctoral students working in areas of mutual interest.

Further guidance: the study of two religious traditions This MSt programme aims to give a good general grounding in the history and main doctrines and practices of two specific religious traditions. For instance, in the case of Christianity, candidates will acquire a knowledge of the major doctrines of Christian faith, the conditions of their formulation, and their historical development. At the beginning of the academic year, you will be assigned tutors (usually one or two per religion), who will provide guidance in the study of these religions, tailored to develop your specific interests. For each religious tradition, you will have between six and eight tutorials (hour-long sessions for discussion of a topic). In advance of each tutorial, you will normally be expected to produce some work for discussion. While tutors will assign work and offer some guidance on learning, you are also strongly encouraged to attend the relevant lecture series, seminars and other events relating to your religions of choice, which are run by the Faculty of Theology and Religion throughout the year. Please consult Faculty lecture lists and timetables at the beginning of each term for details. In addition to gaining a general grounding, you will be expected to produce assessed written work in each of these religions (see below). Each of these pieces of work will need to take up far more specialised themes or issues within these traditions. To continue with the example above, a candidate studying Christianity may choose, in consultation with the tutor, to write a paper detailing the contemporary social teaching of the Catholic Church, or Calvin’s understanding of predestination. As such, you will need to use your six to eight tutorials appropriately in order to both build up a strong knowledge of the religion in question, while preparing you to think about particular interests which

- 11 -


can be built up into your assessed essays. One way of doing this is to have some ‘general’ tutorials on core themes, followed by some tutorials which are more targeted towards developing the themes that relate most closely to your coursework. For this reason, regardless of how much knowledge you already have on the religions you are studying, it is worth thinking very early on about the kinds of themes and questions that you would like to study, and write about. If you know what kinds of key themes you are interested in (e.g. textual interpretation, ritual, doctrinal, gender etc), you can use some of your tutorials to build up a core knowledge of these areas, which will provide a strong basis for writing up your coursework. You are encouraged to use the work on your essays as building blocks towards your dissertation. Please note: essays and dissertations on the interactions, relations or comparisons between two religions, or approaches taken from one view towards others, are welcomed, but students must take care avoid any overlap between essays and dissertation. 2.5 Course Regulations The regulations made by the Board of the Faculty of Theology and Religion are as follows:

1. Each candidate will be required to follow a course of instruction for three terms and present

himself or herself for examination in three subjects as set out in the syllabus.

2. A 10,000-15,000 word dissertation must be offered. All candidates must normally make a written

application for approval of the topic no later than Monday of fifth week in Hilary Term. The

application should be submitted to the Faculty of Theology and Religion for consideration by the

Theology and Religion Graduate Studies Committee. In cases where there is some uncertainty about

the acceptability of the proposal, candidates are asked to submit their applications earlier if possible.

All applications should be accompanied by a recommendation from the candidate’s supervisor. Two

copies of the dissertation must be sent to the Chair of Examiners for the Degree of M.St in the Study

of Religions, c/o the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford before the end of eighth week of Trinity

Term in the year of examination.

Titles for the two shorter essays must normally be submitted to the Faculty of Theology and Religion

no later than Monday of fifth week in Hilary Term for consideration by the Graduate Studies

Committee. Two copies of the essays must be submitted to the Examination Schools by the Friday

before the beginning of Trinity Term in the year in which the examination is taken. Decisions on the

suitability of titles for both dissertation and essays will be taken in consultation with the Chair of

Examiners for that year.

The three-hour examination will be held in tenth or eleventh week of Trinity Term.

3. Each candidate will be required to present himself or herself for an oral (viva voce) examination

unless individually dispensed by the examiners. This will take place within a few days of the written

examination, and may include discussion of both the examination paper and any pre-submitted work.

- 12 -


4. The examiners may award a distinction to candidates who have performed with special merit in the

whole examination.

5. A candidate who fails the examination will be permitted to retake it on one further occasion only,

not later than one year after the initial attempt. Such a candidate whose 10,000-15,000 word essay

has been of satisfactory standard may resubmit the same piece of work, while a candidate who had

reached a satisfactory standard on the written papers will not be required to retake that part of the

examination.

Syllabus

Candidates must offer the paper on the Nature of Religion, which is comprised of the following two

elements: Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion and Themes in the Interaction between

Religions, and two papers selected from papers on the major texts and doctrines of (a) Buddhism, (b)

Christianity, (c) Islam, (d) Judaism, or (e) Hinduism, or (f) any other paper that may from time to time

be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Theology and Religion.

The candidate’s two chosen religions will be examined by two papers, of which one will consist of two

essays of up to 5,000 words and one will consist of a dissertation of 10,000–15,000 words. Between

them, essays and dissertations must deal with the two chosen religions. Essays and dissertations on

the interactions, relations or comparisons between two religions, or approaches taken from one view

towards others, are also encouraged, with the proviso that there is no overlap between essays and

dissertation. Decisions on the suitability of titles for both dissertation and essays will be taken in

consultation with the Chair of Examiners for that year.

Candidates will not normally be allowed to substitute a long essay or two short essays for the paper

on The Nature of Religion (Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion and Themes in the

Interaction between Religions). Any candidate who believes that he or she has special grounds for

seeking a dispensation must present a case to the Graduate Studies Committee, with the supervisor's

approval, before the fifth week of Hilary Term.

- 13 -


2.5.1 The Nature of Religion: study outline The Nature of Religion consists of the following two elements: ‘Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion’ and ‘Themes in the Interaction between Religions’ Regulations The first part of this paper ‘Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion’ will require that students

demonstrate an advanced understanding of the main classical and contemporary approaches to the

study of religions. It will cover the work of some of the most important scholars in the field, and

consider the history of the field of the study of religion, through its methods and theories, over the

20th century up to the present. The paper will also assess the work of these theoretical and

methodological approaches as they influence our understanding of contemporary religious

developments in the modern world.

The second part of this paper, ‘Themes in the Interaction between Religions’ will require that students

demonstrate an advanced understanding of different ways in which religions interact with each other.

The paper will explore various themes touching on interactions between religions including the role of

inter-religious disputations in the way religions define themselves and the religious other.

Teaching The first part of this paper, is on ‘Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion’. The second part of this paper, ‘Themes in the Interaction between Religions’, requires that students demonstrate an advanced understanding of different ways in which religions interact with each other. This paper is primarily taught through 16 core class seminars taught weekly and for which weekly

preparation will be needed. In addition, for those with little or no background in the subject, there

will be 16 core undergraduate lectures in the Michaelmas and Hilary terms in the Study of Religions

(which graduate students are also welcome and encouraged to attend).

There are also fortnightly Inter-disciplinary Research Seminar on the Study of Religions on alternate

Fridays from 1.45-3.15 in weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 in the Michaelmas and Hilary Terms, on topics directly

relevant to the course, which all students MSt students are expected to attend. The Research

Seminar also gives MSt students a wonderful opportunity to get to know the research community in

the Study of Religions and to meet doctoral students working in areas of mutual interest.

For methods of assessment, students should see the course regulations above. To complete the

course satisfactorily, students must attend all core class seminars and the Inter-disciplinary Research

Seminar. The final assessment is made solely on examination papers and submitted essays (if

applicable).

- 14 -


2.5.2 (a) Buddhism: study outline Regulations The paper will require that students investigate the fundamental aspects of Buddhist thought, mainly as reflected by early Buddhist teaching. It will also explore the ways in which Buddhism has changed during the course of its history, adapting to diverse cultural contexts in the pre-modern and modern world. Aims and objectives Aims: To give students some appreciation of the teachings of the Buddha in a way which stimulates thought and relates to any knowledge they may already have of other religions. Objectives: Students who have studied this paper will: (a) have a basic knowledge of Buddhism (b) have a sense of how Buddhism may call into question their pre-conceived ideas about what a religion is (c) have written a series of coherent essays on topics central to the subject. Teaching The subject is taught primarily through a series of tutorials. The first four tutorials will introduce the student to fundamental concepts of early Buddhism and to some of the key notions of Mahāyāna. Tutorials in following weeks will examine more specific topics and will try, as far as possible, to take into account the particular interests of the student. Three lectures series are also offered, Buddhism I, Buddhism II, and Foundations of Buddhist Thought.

- 15 -


2.5.3 (b) Christianity: study outline Regulations For this paper, students may study any aspect of Christian life or thought at any period of the Common Era and in any part of the world. Christianity is here understood to encompass groups and systems that are commonly deemed heterodox or heretical, together with those that are commonly regarded as offshoots of Christianity (e.g. Manichees, Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses). Topics may be historical, sociological or theological, but students taking theological texts as their principal subject are strongly encouraged to take account of the historical and social background. Aims and objectives Aims: This paper is designed to give an overview of Christianity, its importance in world history and its place among the current world religions. It emphasises distinctive features of Christianity (e.g. doctrines, central rites, ethics, gender, spirituality) which invite comparison with other faiths. A principal method will be the investigation of manifestations of Christianity in particular contexts. Objectives: A person who has engaged in the study of Christianity at Master’s level may be expected to possess: a) An acquaintance with the most important texts in Christian history and a knowledge of central

Christian Doctrines.

b) An awareness of some of the important periods in Church history. Such understanding includes an appreciation of the reciprocal relationship of religion and society in specific periods.

c) A perception of the diversity of Christian life and thought in different areas, and an understanding of the historical, economic, demographic and political implications.

Teaching The subject is taught in tutorials as well as a series of lectures which will cover such topics as : Jesus and the Kingdom; the beginning of theology; Christian community (including monasticism); creeds, councils and controversies; the divisions between significant branches of Christianity (e.g. Eastern Orthodoxy; Roman Catholicism, Protestantism or New Religious Movements); gender perspectives in Christianity; Christian Ethics; Christianity in particular contexts (for instance, in Latin America or in Britain). Students will be advised by their tutor if there are any other lectures and/or classes they should attend.

- 16 -


2.5.4 (c) Islam: study outline Regulations The paper offers students the opportunity either to gain a broad grounding in the historical origins and development of Islam, or to specialise in a chosen area of Islamic intellectual and socio-political history. On the classical period, topics may include: the Prophethood of Muhammad; the Qur’an; the Hadith; Shi’ism; Islamic theology (kalam); Islamic law (shari’a) and the Sunni schools; Sufism (tasawwuf) and the major Sufi orders; Islam and other religions. On developments in the modern period, topics may include: Islamic reformism (al-Nahda); Wahhabism; Hadith controversies; Sufism and anti-Sufism; Jihad; Sunni-Shi’i sectarianism; Muslim majority-minority relations; Muslim discourse on feminism; and Muslim discourse on politics, state and democracy. Aims and objectives Aims: To understand the historical development of theological thought in Islam, from the Prophet Muhammad to the modern period, with a particular emphasis on the interaction between major religious disciplines, schools, and sects, and on the ways Muslims have responded to the challenges of the modern world. Objectives: Candidates should be able to find their way around the major debates, scholarly literature and reference works in Islamic Studies. They should be acquainted with the thought of, and major studies on, the great Muslim theologians and religious thinkers of the chosen period. They should gain an awareness of the diversity of religious developments in Muslim societies, including various influential Islamic movements in the modern world and their respective counterparts in the classical period. Teaching Lectures: The subject is taught through tutorials as well as a series of eight lectures given in Michaelmas Term – ‘Islam in the Classical Period’ – and a series of eight lectures in Hilary Term – ‘Islam in Contemporary Society’.

- 17 -


2.5.5 (d) Judaism: study outline Regulations This paper will develop students’ understanding of Judaism as the evolving religious expression of Jews, providing scope for the study of the developments in different periods reflecting the range of expertise in the University. The core of the paper assumes that students develop a conceptual understanding of the thought and practice that underpin Judaism. Aims and objectives Aims: to establish the framework within which Judaism is to be understood and to gain some insight into the historical, intellectual and political processes which have generated the social and theological dilemmas of contemporary Judaism. Objectives: to equip students with the information and research skills necessary to access the primary sources of Judaism and to approach Judaism as a living religion. Teaching The subject is taught in tutorials, as well as two series of lectures: Formation of Rabbinic Judaism and Modern Judaism.

- 18 -


2.5.6 (e) Hinduism: Study outline Regulations This paper offers a thematic and historical approach to Hinduism. It will explore textual sources, categories, practices, and social institutions that formed Hindu traditions and consider seminal debates on caste, ritual, and politics. It will conclude with a consideration of Hinduism and modernity. The paper will approach the study of Hinduism through anthropological, Indological and theological methods. Aims and objectives Aims: To acquaint students with the main ideas and practices of Indic religion historically, and to relate these to the practice of Hinduism in the modern world.

Objectives: a) To impart basic information about Hindu belief, rite, and social practice. b) To provide experience in reading primary texts in reliable translations, and in understanding especially brahmanical Hinduism in light of that reading. c) To have students write a series of coherent essays on topics central to the subject. The subject is taught in tutorials as well as two series of lectures, on Hinduism I and Hinduism II.

- 19 -


3. Assessment 3.1 Elements of Assessment

Assessment for this programme comprises three elements. These are:

1. One three hour examination on the nature, definition and explanation of religious belief and practice and on themes in the interactions between religions. The core course of the MSt will be designed as preparation for this examination. You will be expected to answer three questions on a previously unseen exam paper. The exam will be held in Week 10 or 11 of Trinity Term.

2. Two essays, relating to one or both of the two religious traditions that you will study, each of which will have an upper limit of 5,000 words. Essays on the interactions, relations or comparisons between two religions, or approaches taken from one view towards others, are encouraged with the proviso that there is no overlap between essays. Titles will need to be agreed in discussion with your supervisor, and are be submitted to the Faculty for advance approval in 5th Week of Hilary term (see above for details).

3. A dissertation of up to 15,000 words, on a topic which relates to one or both of the two religious traditions that you will study. Please note that between them essays and dissertation must cover the two religions you will study. Dissertations on the interactions, relations or comparisons between two religions, or approaches taken from one view towards others, are encouraged with the proviso that there is no overlap between the dissertation and the essays. Titles will need to be agreed in discussion with your supervisor, and are be submitted to the Faculty for advance approval in 5th Week of Hilary term (see above for details).

Weightings

Each of the three units (exam, essays and dissertation) are given equal weighting. Please note that: -- Titles for both essays and dissertation must be agreed with your supervisor, and submitted for approval to the Graduate Studies Committee in 0th Week of Hilary term. Should the Committee feel that the title(s) suggested are not appropriate to the exercise, they may recommend amendment or reconsideration. - Candidates will not normally be allowed to substitute a long essay or two short essays for the ‘Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion/ Themes in the Interaction between Religions’ examination. Any candidate who believes that he or she has special grounds for seeking a dispensation must present a case to the Graduate Studies Committee, with the supervisor's approval, before the fifth week of Hilary Term.

- 20 -


Notes on assessed work There is a strong emphasis in the degree on enabling students to pursue their own particular interest in religious traditions through independent study under the expert guidance of their tutors and thereby to enhance their research skills. However, as well as offering students a grounding in the broader themes concerning their religions of study, it is also required that students produce essays and a dissertation on more specific topics. The topics and titles for essays and dissertation should be discussed and agreed between candidates and tutors. But it may be useful to bear in mind the following: - Try to identify topics that are specific enough to be dealt with within the parameters, and word limits, of the relevant exercise. You cannot do everything, and it is often better to find a narrower topic that can be analysed in more detail. - In other words, you will need to identify a specific subject or focus, but one which links to broader themes and debates which you can engage. You may find it useful to select a ‘case study’ of some kind and use it to engage major thematic questions or methods of analysis. - Remember that essays and a dissertation are arguments; you should set out to argue or prove something, rather than merely describe your subject. Try to establish why your subject, and your findings, are important and worth investigating. - Most (though not all) essay and dissertation topics will require reference to primary texts, or other forms of primary evidence. Depending on the question being addressed, some essays and dissertations may be constructed around the substantial analysis of a clearly chosen body of primary material, while others may reference a range of materials more thinly. - Most essays and dissertations will need to situate their arguments within the existing field or other debates; this will mean a close engagement with certain commentaries or theoretical perspectives or other critical treatments in the relevant literature. 3.2 Examination entry and examination dates Guidance and advice on examination entry and how to ensure that you are entered for the correct examinations and assessments is available at http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/entry Information on alternative examination arrangements is available at http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/arrangements Examination timetables are published as early as possible and no later than five weeks before the start of the examination. Provisional start dates are provided on the University’s website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/exams/timetables/, but these must be taken as a guide only. A personal timetable showing the dates, times and location of your examinations will be sent to you at your college at least two weeks before the examination starts.

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/entry

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/arrangements

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/exams/timetables/

- 21 -


3.3 Guidance for the submission of proposals for titles of essays and dissertations Students should complete the online Graduate submitted work title approval form, which is located in the Graduate area of the Faculty’s WebLearn site. All proposals must have the prior approval of the person responsible for supervising the work. Please note that supervisors will be contacted by the Graduate Studies Assistant for verification. In certain circumstances you may wish to make minor changes to the title of your dissertation as your research evolves. If you wish to make a change to an essay or dissertation title once it has been approved by the Graduate Studies Committee, you should agree any such changes with the subject co-ordinator your supervisor in the first instance. Details of the change must then be submitted via an online form (accessible from the Graduate area of the Faculty’s WebLearn site) for checking by the Graduate Studies Committee no later than Monday of 0th week (Trinity Term). This is the final deadline for alterations to essay/dissertation titles. If you submit an essay or dissertation with a different title to the one approved, your final mark may be subject to a penalty. Exact details of the penalties will be outlined in the Examination Conventions for each course. 3.4 Guidance for the submission of written work for examination

TWO copies of each essay must be submitted.

All submitted essays and dissertations must be accompanied by a ‘Graduate submitted work coversheet’ (found at the back of the Handbook for Postgraduate Taught Students and on the Faculty’s WebLearn site), which must include a clear statement of the all-inclusive word count for text and footnotes (but excluding bibliography). Candidates are not permitted to exceed the stated word limit.

Essays and dissertations must be securely fastened or bound.

All submitted work must be anonymous, and identified by CANDIDATE NUMBER ONLY; the student’s name or any other identifying information (such as dedications containing names) should not appear.

Penalties will be imposed for over-length essays, for unapproved changes to the title, and for work which is not securely bound or which bears the candidate’s name.

Each piece of submitted work must be accompanied by a declaration (the ‘Graduate submitted work declaration’ found at the back of the Handbook for Postgraduate Taught Students and on the Faculty’s WebLearn site), which states that it is the candidate’s own work and that no part has been submitted for any other degree at Oxford or another institution.

More information about the presentation of written work can be found in the Handbook for Postgraduate Taught Students.





- 22 -


Students should also check the details provided on the submission of assessments page of the Oxford Students website regarding the submission of work ahead of their submission deadline. 3.5 Conduct in examinations Information on (a) the standards of conduct expected in examinations and (b) what to do if you would like examiners to be aware of any factors that may have affected your performance before or during an examination (such as illness, accident or bereavement) are available on the Oxford Students website (www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/guidance). If you have any difficulty in interpreting the Examination Regulations, or finding out about subject options, dates, deadlines, etc. ask for advice from your Course Coordinator or the Faculty Office. 3.6 Examination conventions and grade descriptors The examination conventions and descriptors for allocating marks issued in 2016/17 can be found on the Faculty’s Weblearn site. Any modifications will be published not less than one whole term before the examination takes place or, where assessment takes place in the first term of a course, at the beginning of that term. Up-to-date conventions will be sent to all students before the examination and published on the Faculty’s Weblearn site. 3.7 External Examiner and Examiners’ Reports The External Examiner for the Master of Studies in the Study of Religions is Dr Douglas Hedley, Reader in Hermeneutics and Metaphysics, Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge. Students are strictly prohibited from contacting external examiners directly. If you are unhappy with an aspect of your assessment you may make a complaint or appeal (see Handbook for Postgraduate Taught Students).

You can access the Examiners’ reports (including the external examiner’s reports) in Weblearn at https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/humdiv/theology/theo_grad.

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/submission

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/guidance




DEGREE OF MASTER OF STUDIES IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION · - 2 - MSt Study of Religions Course...

Documents

Transcript of DEGREE OF MASTER OF STUDIES IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION · - 2 - MSt Study of Religions Course...