School of TheologyChristianity and Society 2010/2011

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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

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Table of contents

Christianity and Society 04

Tilburg School of Theology 05

Educational characteristics 06

More information 07

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For two millennia, Christianity and society have been the key protagonists

in a dramatic and dynamic interplay – notwithstanding frequent clashes

and conflicts, mutually shaping and guiding the other. Their relationship

raises many questions – questions as relevant today as in the past.

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

Christianity.

Taught by a multidisciplinary team of scholars including Christian

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.

Essentials:• One-yearMasterofArtsdegreefromoneofEurope’sleading

universities (option of part-time study also available).

• English-languagecurriculum.

• Multi-disciplinaryteachingincludingChristiantheologists,

sociologists, economists, law specialists and philosophers.

• Academicallychallenginglearningenvironmentbuiltupondeep

intellectual enquiry.

• Excellentpreparationforecclesiastical,socialorscientificfunctions

that concern questions about faith, meaning and existence.

• Excellentpreparationforpositionsinmedia(e.g.journalist),

government and the social sphere (e.g. adviser or manager).

• Startdate:1September2010

Christianity and Society

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Tilburg School of Theology

Faith. Critical reasoning. Intellectual enlightenment.At the Tilburg School of Theology, our ethos is “Faith seeking under-

standing”. 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

makesforahighlystimulatingfieldofintellectualenquiry.

OurfacultymembersareactiveinthefieldsofCatholictheology,as

wellastherelatedfieldsofphilosophy,history,sociology,andreligious

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.

Buttheologicalknowledgeservesnopurposeifitfailstoserve.Ourgoal

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.

An intimate learning environment that encourages open and high-level intellectual debateChristianity and other religions are as dynamic and relevant as they have

ever been. Their impact on society can be felt around the world – in

international politics, economy, arts and cultural ideologies, whose

subsequent clashes are reverberating around the globe.

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.

The Catholic Church’s self-conception has changed immensely in recent

years. The way people live Christianity has been transformed with the

advent of modernity. Today, globalisation is presenting new challenges,

from the need for inter-religious dialogues, to assimilating changing

social expectations into how the Church interacts with society.

In the MA Christianity and Society, you will examine this fascinating

interplay from manifold perspectives, delving deep into the tradition and

history of the Christian Church, while questioning what this faith means

to people today and how new world forces are influencing the Church.

Ourlearningenvironmentspecificallyencouragestheopenandfrank

enquiry and discussion of these issues and questions. No subjects or

questions are off limits. Faculty members representing diverse areas of

expertise and varying perspectives, actively encourage and guide you

to apply your reasoning and critical-thinking skills to all areas of the

programme. In class, questioning, debating and analysing during lively

class discussions are a mainstay of learning. Class sizes are kept small,

to ensure you receive ample personal and intellectual guidance.

Programme of studyTheMAChristianityandSocietycomprises8modules,eachof6ECTS

points,andanMAthesisof12ECTSpoints,leadingtoatotalof60

ECTS.1ECTSpointrepresents28hoursofstudy.

Three main sections comprise learning: Fundamentals, In Dialogue

With (during which you have the option of swapping the prescribed

curriculum for an MA elective of your choice) and In Conclusion.

The programme is conducted over one year full-time, with the option of

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

Educational characteristics

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Fundamentals1. Sources and History of Christianity

2. Christian Theology: Fundamental Issues and Contemporary Questions

3. Christianity in World History and Contemporary Society

In Dialogue with4. Christianity in Dialogue with Contemporary Politics, Government and Law

5. Christianity in Dialogue with the Social and the Economic World

6. Christianity in Dialogue with the Modern Arts

7. Christianity in Dialogue with the World Religions

In Conclusion8. Colloquium

9. MA Thesis

Entrance Requirements We seek individuals interested in theology or the opportunity to deepen

their faith as well as their ability to think critically. An academic bachelor’s

degreeoranequivalentqualificationisrequired(twoyearsstudying

philosophy and four years of theology at any (inter) diocesan seminary,

forinstance).StrongknowledgeofEnglishisalsonecessary.

While a BA degree in Theology is not mandatory, a basic knowledge of

Christianity is presupposed. An individual study programme is available

for you to improve your basic knowledge of Christianity and theology.

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.

Scholarships for non-EEA studentsEachyear,theTilburgSchoolofTheologyoffersone-yearscholarships

to selected students from outside the Netherlands. These scholarships

consist of €5,000 for living expenses for one academic year.

Need to know more?Readytotakethenextsteporneedtoknowmore?Ourdedicatedstaff

members are happy to discuss your application process with you or

provide any additional information you need.

Contactourstaffat013-4668994or

internationaltheology@uvt.nl.

Orformoreinformation,visitourwebsiteat www.tilburguniversity.nl/cs

www.tilburguniversity.nl/cs

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Tilburg UniversityAddress POBox90153,5000LETilburg,TheNetherlands

Telephone 013-4668994E-mail internationaltheology@uvt.nl

Colofon

Editor Tilburg School of Theology

Design Scheepens reclame adviseurs, Tilburg

Photography GerritOudeSogtoen

Printing Prisma Print, Tilburg University

March2010