2021-2022 Theological School
Master of Arts in Religion
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About the Program
The Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) provides advanced study in religion and theology. The program consists of scholarly communication seminars, disciplinary and interdisciplinary study, and culminates in either a thesis, an extended research paper, or a portfolio.
Convenor
Althea Spencer-Miller (aspencer@drew.edu)
Communication and Integration
Throughout the program, M.A.R. students study and practice written and oral scholarly communication and skills in multiple modes. Integrative capstone projects support individual academic and professional goals through extended academic research, mentored teaching, a problem-solving project, or a professionally-relevant apprenticeship.
Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Study
While most courses in the Theological School are characterized by multidisciplinary, M.A.R. students do both disciplinary as well as interdisciplinary study.
Each M.A.R. student selects one primary area of study:
Bible and Cultures: Explore the Bible’s rhetoric, material and political contexts, interpretation, and ethics within diverse cultures and theoretical frameworks.
Theology and Philosophy: Study philosophical, constructive, pluralist, comparative, and systematic approaches to theology and theological themes.
Religion and Society: Examine the role of religion and Christianities in relation to social processes and meaning, structures of oppression, and struggles for liberation and wholeness for individuals, communities, and the natural environment.
General Studies: Pursue general study across several subject areas in the regular Theological School curriculum.
Self-Declared Interdisciplinary areas combine courses in Drew’s signature interdisciplinary fields:
Africana and African American Religions and Cultures: Study the histories, cultures, religions, philosophies, aspirations, and achievements of African Americans and peoples of African descent in regions of the world that share a history of specific kinds of colonialism.
Religion and Ecology: Study the historical, philosophical, socio-political, and theological influences that have shaped the current planetary context and the array of contemporary global religious ecological voices and emerging eco-theologies.
Women’s and Gender Studies: Examine the diversity of women’s experiences as they are informed by gender, class, race/ethnicity, sexuality, age, ability, social location, and cultural and national identity. Engage theoretical and methodological insights of feminist thought and gender and queer scholarship.
Religion and Social Justice: Examine the role of religion and Christianities in relation to structures of oppression and struggles for liberation and wholeness for individuals, communities, and the natural environment. Concentration not available for students declaring Religion and Society as an area of study.
Wesleyan/Methodist Studies: Study U.S. and global Wesleyan/Methodist history, theology, practices, and organization.
M.A.R Students can add an additional concentration from the list above or from the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies:
Liberal Studies: Engage fields of humanistic inquiry foundational to the liberal arts such as history, literature, fine arts.
Conflict Resolution: Explore theories and topics of global peace and conflict and practices of mediation and peacebuilding.
Teacher Education: Study human development, pedagogy, and educational policy.
Degree Requirements
Master of Arts in Religion (MAR)
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