Biblical Studies & Early Christianity

Fields of Study

• Hebrew Bible
• New Testament and Early Christianity

The Biblical Studies programs seek to cultivate a complex and rigorous interdisciplinarity characterized by methodological multiplicity and theoretical eclecticism. Each program allows for a variety of critical approaches, both textual and contextual. The Hebrew Bible program focuses on the literature of the Hebrew Bible, its complex history of development, and its social, political, and religious attitudes and assumptions. The program in New Testament and Early Christianity investigates the literary and rhetorical aspects of ancient Christian texts in diverse contexts, including the social and cultural formations of early Christianity in the ancient Mediterranean world, from the first to the fourth century. Both programs seek to engage with recent theoretical and methodological developments, such as literary theory and criticism; sociological approaches; feminist studies and masculinity studies; studies in the history of sexuality; postcolonial studies; cultural history and cultural studies; and studies in race and ethnicity.

Language Requirements

Demonstrated competence at the appropriate level in the relevant ancient languages is a prerequisite for admission into the Biblical Studies and Early Christianity M.A. and Ph.D. programs. Proficiency in these languages is usually demonstrated by evidence of at least two semesters of course work per language at a minimum of 3.0 grade level.

Modern language requirements for these programs are as follows:

German and one other modern language of biblical scholarship (other than English), such as French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, or modern Hebrew, all of which are recognized without petition.

If another language is deemed relevant to the student’s program, the student may petition for a substitution, which requires the recommendation of the student’s area and the approval of the Committee on Academic Standing. This approval is contingent upon the availability of appropriate testing and grading resources.

Theological & Philosophical Studies

Fields of Study

• Theological Studies
• Philosophical Studies

The area of Theological and Philosophical Studies fosters a transdisciplinary community of inquiry among students, with emphases on constructive, philosophical, systematic, ecumenical, and comparative approaches to theological themes. These emphases entail strong intersections with feminism, ecology, postcolonial and empire studies, and the philosophical traditions of pragmatism, process, and poststructuralism. Our faculty bring their distinct commitments and approaches to the fields of theology and philosophy, and their various sites of interconnection, to a common table of open, dialogical discourse. Students are invited participants in this collegial and rigorous table talk, learning not only concrete content specific to particular fields of interest, but also appreciation for and negotiation of the complexities and ambiguities of those fields as they take shape within concrete contexts marked by interdisciplinary and interreligious conversation. Incoming students are expected to identify in either theology or philosophy.

Language Requirements

Both French and German.

If another language is deemed relevant to the student’s program, the student may petition for a substitution, which requires the recommendation of the student’s area and the approval of the Committee on Academic Standing. This approval is contingent upon the availability of appropriate testing and grading resources.

Religion & Society

Fields of Study

• Psychology and Religion
• Sociology of Religion (an emphasis in Religious Education is available)
• Christian Social Ethics

The role of religion in relation to both structures of oppression and struggles of liberation constitutes the main focus of our work in Religion and Society. We study the role of religion in the personal, socio-political, spiritual, and ecological dimensions of those structure and struggles. We also include the intersection of religion and the human sciences. The strengths of this program are found in the variety of graduate students it gathers from every continent on the globe as well as the United States, who come from differing racial/ethnic/sexual groups, together with the diversity of interests, involvements, and expertise of its faculty. The faculty is diverse in academic training, coming from the fields of psychology, sociology, theology, religious education, and Christian ethics. Yet they share a focus on issues of race/ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality. They are united in their belief that theory should respond to human experience and that academic scholarship must address contemporary issues.

Language Requirements

Two of the following: French, German, Portuguese, or Spanish. International students whose native language is other than English may use English as their second research language. They must, however, pass French, German, Portuguese, or Spanish before they take their second year of classes.

If another language is deemed relevant to the student’s program, the student may petition for a substitution, which requires the recommendation of the student’s area and the approval of the Committee on Academic Standing. This approval is contingent upon the availability of appropriate testing and grading resources.

Women’s & Gender Studies Concentration

The Graduate Division of Religion offers a concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies, which may be pursued in conjunction with study in any of the Division’s Areas of Study.

Requirements for the Concentration include:

1. The Women’s Studies Interdisciplinary Seminar (WMST 712), offered every other Fall;
2. At least three additional courses in which the student’s work focused centrally on women, gender, sexuality, or feminist analysis.
3. One comprehensive examination that focuses on women, gender, or feminist analysis (this exam would ordinarily correspond with the interdisciplinary comprehensive examination).

Once these requirements have been met, complete the Women’s & Gender Studies Form and Women’s & Gender Studies Coursework Verification Card, submitting them to the GDR Administrative Office.

Wesleyan and Methodist Studies Concentration

The Graduate Division of Religion offers a concentration in Wesleyan and Methodist Studies, which may be pursued in conjunction with study in any of the Division’s Areas.

Requirements for the Concentration include:

1. The Wesleyan and Methodist Studies Interdisciplinary Seminar, offered every other year, or as needed;
2. At least three additional courses in which the student’s work focuses centrally on some topic relevant to Wesleyan and Methodist Studies (where appropriate, resource persons from the Methodist Archives and/or second readers for student papers may be appointed); and
3. One comprehensive examination that focuses on a topic directly relevant to Wesleyan and Methodist Studies.

Once these requirements have been met, complete the Wesleyan and Methodist Studies From and Wesleyan and Methodist Studies Verification Card, submitting them to the GDR Administrative Office.