Christianity and Society 2010/2011
School of Theology
Ageing, market forces, individualization, religious differences. Key issues that are relevant to today’s society. With its research and education, Tilburg University strives to contribute to a better society and to a better understanding of the problems surrounding these issues. Through investigation, learning and understanding, we discover new ideas and insights, day after day.
Understanding society
02
Table of contents Christianity and Society
04
Tilburg School of Theology
05
Educational characteristics
06
More information
07
03
Christianity and Society For two millennia, Christianity and society have been the key protagonists
Essentials:
in a dramatic and dynamic interplay – notwithstanding frequent clashes
• One-year Master of Arts degree from one of Europe’s leading
and conflicts, mutually shaping and guiding the other. Their relationship raises many questions – questions as relevant today as in the past.
universities (option of part-time study also available). • English-language curriculum. • Multi-disciplinary teaching including Christian theologists,
The one-year Master of Arts in Christianity and Society is your opportunity to delve deeply into this fascinating and cross-disciplinary subject area. Gain a deep understanding of the complex interaction between Christianity and society from both sides: examining how Christianity influences society and how society has an effect on the teachings and tenets of
sociologists, economists, law specialists and philosophers. • Academically challenging learning environment built upon deep intellectual enquiry. • Excellent preparation for ecclesiastical, social or scientific functions that concern questions about faith, meaning and existence.
Christianity.
• Excellent preparation for positions in media (e.g. journalist),
Taught by a multidisciplinary team of scholars including Christian
• Start date: 1 September 2010
government and the social sphere (e.g. adviser or manager). theologians, sociologists, economists, law specialists and philosophers, the programme offers a highly-stimulating environment suffuse with high-level philosophical questioning, contrasting perspectives and historical insights, all within the context of gaining a deeper understanding of current issues and dilemmas. This is a highly-relevant knowledge area with implications for the lives of people everywhere in the world today.
04
Tilburg School of Theology Faith. Critical reasoning. Intellectual enlightenment. At the Tilburg School of Theology, our ethos is “Faith seeking understanding”. We believe that while reason questions faith, faith itself stimulates questioning and critical thought. This dialogue between reason and faith is reflected in both our research and teaching and makes for a highly stimulating field of intellectual enquiry. Our faculty members are active in the fields of Catholic theology, as well as the related fields of philosophy, history, sociology, and religious studies. They cooperate with other academic departments within Tilburg University as well as worldwide, bringing fresh ideas and dimensions to their work. The traditions of academic freedom and excellence prevail in everything we do, because we believe that freedom in the pursuit and exchange of ideas are the key to the attainment of authentic knowledge. But theological knowledge serves no purpose if it fails to serve. Our goal is to ensure our knowledge extends beyond the ‘ivory tower’ to actively influence and enhance daily life - within the Church and broader society. We achieve this through dialogue with key actors in both the Church and society, and through the education of theologians, priests and pastoral workers.
05
Educational characteristics An intimate learning environment that encourages open and high-level intellectual debate
Our learning environment specifically encourages the open and frank enquiry and discussion of these issues and questions. No subjects or questions are off limits. Faculty members representing diverse areas of
Christianity and other religions are as dynamic and relevant as they have
expertise and varying perspectives, actively encourage and guide you
ever been. Their impact on society can be felt around the world – in
to apply your reasoning and critical-thinking skills to all areas of the
international politics, economy, arts and cultural ideologies, whose
programme. In class, questioning, debating and analysing during lively
subsequent clashes are reverberating around the globe.
class discussions are a mainstay of learning. Class sizes are kept small, to ensure you receive ample personal and intellectual guidance.
But just as society, with its own laws and logics, is not a sheer derivative of Christian and religious intents, so Christianity is not an insular entity.
Programme of study
The Catholic Church’s self-conception has changed immensely in recent
The MA Christianity and Society comprises 8 modules, each of 6 ECTS
years. The way people live Christianity has been transformed with the
points, and an MA thesis of 12 ECTS points, leading to a total of 60
advent of modernity. Today, globalisation is presenting new challenges,
ECTS. 1 ECTS point represents 28 hours of study.
from the need for inter-religious dialogues, to assimilating changing social expectations into how the Church interacts with society.
Three main sections comprise learning: Fundamentals, In Dialogue With (during which you have the option of swapping the prescribed
In the MA Christianity and Society, you will examine this fascinating
curriculum for an MA elective of your choice) and In Conclusion.
interplay from manifold perspectives, delving deep into the tradition and history of the Christian Church, while questioning what this faith means
The programme is conducted over one year full-time, with the option of
to people today and how new world forces are influencing the Church.
part-time study conducted over two years.
“Christianity continues over all continents to provoke, to influence, to excite and to irritate – while modernity at the same time impinges on Christianity. Taught by a multidisciplinary team of scholars, you will study and catalyse this productive ‘double bind’.”
Prof. dr. Staf Hellemans - Professor in the Sociology of Religion
Fundamentals
While a BA degree in Theology is not mandatory, a basic knowledge of
1. Sources and History of Christianity
Christianity is presupposed. An individual study programme is available
2. Christian Theology: Fundamental Issues and Contemporary Questions
for you to improve your basic knowledge of Christianity and theology.
3. Christianity in World History and Contemporary Society
In Dialogue with 4. Christianity in Dialogue with Contemporary Politics, Government and Law 5. Christianity in Dialogue with the Social and the Economic World
If you have a BA degree from a non-university institution of higher education, you will need to complete a pre-master’s programme (only offered in Dutch) to be eligible for this programme.
6. Christianity in Dialogue with the Modern Arts
Scholarships for non-EEA students
7. Christianity in Dialogue with the World Religions
Each year, the Tilburg School of Theology offers one-year scholarships
In Conclusion 8. Colloquium 9. MA Thesis
Entrance Requirements We seek individuals interested in theology or the opportunity to deepen
to selected students from outside the Netherlands. These scholarships consist of €5,000 for living expenses for one academic year.
Need to know more? Ready to take the next step or need to know more? Our dedicated staff members are happy to discuss your application process with you or provide any additional information you need.
their faith as well as their ability to think critically. An academic bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification is required (two years studying
Contact our staff at 013 - 466 8994 or
philosophy and four years of theology at any (inter) diocesan seminary,
internationaltheology@uvt.nl.
for instance). Strong knowledge of English is also necessary. Or for more information, visit our website at www.tilburguniversity.nl/cs
07
Helsinki Oslo
Tallinn
Stockholm
Colofon
Riga
Editor
Tilburg School of Theology
Design
Scheepens reclame adviseurs, Tilburg
Photography
Gerrit Oude Sogtoen
Printing
Prisma Print, Tilburg University
Vilnius Copenhagen
Dublin Amsterdam
London
March 2010
Tilburg
Minsk Warsaw
Berlin
Kiev
Brussels Paris
Munich Z端rich
Vienna
Budapest Bucharest
Zagreb Sofia
Madrid Lisbon
Tilburg University Address
PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
Telephone
013 - 466 8994
internationaltheology@uvt.nl
www.tilburguniversity.nl/cs
Barcelona
Istanbul
Rome
Athens