MA Public Theology
Develop and enhance your skills as a theologian
Develop and enhance your skills as a theologian
- Develop your public theology expertise
- Enhance and enrich your understanding of cultural, social and political issues
- Discover new and exciting insights into contemporary issues
- Gain confidence in your theological ability and expertise
Overview
Explore the central role of theological ideas within public debates
Our MA in Public Theology will develop and enhance your skills as a theologian, as you reflect on and engage with contemporary cultural, social and political issues.
We will support you to build on your current expertise and knowledge so that you can more effectively lead your local community in discipleship, witness and growth.
You will investigate the central role of theological ideas in public debates through an exciting and diverse range of modules that will allow you to explore contemporary issues and questions in depth.
You will be taught through your attendance at three-day schools in August, January and May, which are followed by a series of assessment tasks.
The MA is studied part-time by following a two-year taught module programme followed by a one-year dissertation module
The Course
Explore major questions and concepts around religion
We believe that theological reflection has a fundamental role to play in the life of our churches and our society. and we are committed to developing the skills of practitioners in local churches, be they clergy or laity.
We offer extensive support, especially for those returning to study after a long period.
Christian Ethics in Contemporary Society
The aim of the module is to analyse the ways in which Christian ethical perspectives can contribute to the formation of contemporary social, economic and political communities.
You will explore critically the most important features of contemporary Christian ethics and evaluate these in light of broader ethical debates and discussions.
You will also consider the contemporary context by exploring classic Enlightenment ethical perspectives and then the postmodern critique of these ideas.
Christian Leadership
This module allows you to critically engage with the notion of leadership in a Christian context and to evaluate its compatibility with Scripture and Christian tradition.
You will consider both ordained and lay leadership, examining how it can best reflect Christ the servant-leader — prophet priest and king.
Christian Spirituality
This module introduces you to key concepts in Christian spirituality and allows you to reflect theologically on the relationship between spirituality, theology and other appropriate disciplines, e.g. insights from education and psychology.
You will draw on a range of sources from the Christian spiritual tradition that continues to provide insights for the contemporary world.
Dissertation
The dissertation represents the culmination of the whole programme and the final stage in assessment. You will undertake a critical enquiry into a particular area of theological interest or professional practice, utilising analytical and methodological skills acquired during the course. the precise nature of this will depend upon the area of interest covered, with some topics calling for skills in the synthesis of material as well as analysis.
Practical Theology Project
This module allows you to reflect theologically on your local context.
You will critically examine different approaches to theological reflection with a focus on their practical deployment within the local context.
The module then explores the ways in which social scientific evidence can be gathered and analysed to inform analysis of your own local context
Public and Practical Theology
This module equips you to engage and reflect theologically on social, political and pastoral issues and questions which arise locally, nationally and globally.
You will critically examine public and practical theological methodologies and perspectives utilised by British and international theologians.
You will explore the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies primarily by employing them to analyse and reflect on specific issues and questions which emerge from your context.
The Bible and Public Theology
This module examines the role of the Bible in the public sphere.
You will critically engage with the major issues related to the Bible and public theology, from sexuality, morality and anti-Semitism to religious rights, democracy and blasphemy.
By the end of the module, you will have the ability to critically evaluate the role of the Bible in the public sphere and to respond to the uses and abuses of the biblical in relation to the political.
Teaching and Assessment
Feel the support of internationally-recognised research staff
Allocated teaching days
Teaching is delivered in three school blocks a year; each of which lasts for three days.
You may either visit the University of Chichester on a daily basis or, if you live further away, we can help you find suitable accommodation if required.
You will learn by attending our allocated academic days; our three-days schooling programmes. We offer extensive support, especially for those returning to study after a long period, meaning you will the confidence in your academic skills to fully explore your ideas.
Academic year 2022/23
- Tuesday 23 August – Thursday 25 August 2022
- Tuesday 3 January – Thursday 5 January 2023
- Tuesday 9 May – Thursday 11 May 2023
Dissertation Day: Friday 26 August 2022, 10:30am – 3:30pm (for any students completing their second year in this academic year)
Stand alone modules
Some modules can be studied alone, whereby you can study one module and accumulate the credits but are not registered for the full degree.
For more details on our MA Christian Ministry modules, please contact Professor Graeme Smith (g.smith@chi.ac.uk).
Support for the module ‘Christian Leadership’ is available from the diocese of Chichester. Please contact Rev’d Dr Earl Collins (Earl.Collins@chichester.anglican.org) or Canon Rebecca Swyer (Rebecca.Swyer@chichester.anglican.org)
Assessment
Assessment is through a variety of academic and practical tasks, ranging from essays to book reviews, short articles, case studies and practical projects. The assessments are relevant to your local ministerial context.
Experience
Discover facilities and research centres that support your learning
Close community
Our commitment to a friendly and close-knit student community contributes to a high degree of success for our graduates.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms, and the Student Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Expert staff
Learn from our team of experts, with tutors having published books, presented at international conferences, and even advised the UN.
Subject specific librarians
If you have difficulty finding material for an essay, seminar or project, subject librarians will be happy to provide assistance.
Royal Literary Fellows
Gain writing support from professional writers through Royal Literary Fund.
Local cultural links
The University is placed within the reach of the beautiful South Downs area of the UK.
Student View
Hear how this course has helped previous students
Lottie
Rebekah
Course Costs
Course fees 2023/24
UK fee
Church Authority recommendation fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
Student loans
You can access support as a University of Chichester applicant from the Student Finance Office (stumoneyadv@chi.ac.uk) including how to apply for a loan and what funding models are available.
Entry Requirements
Important
This course is not suitable for international students. The course requires a deep and long-term understanding of the UK context as well as the ability to reflect on the contemporary UK situation from an experiential perspective.
If you wish to apply for a place on our MA Christian Ministry course, please contact Professor Graeme Smith – g.smith@chi.ac.uk
Normally you will be required to:
- Have experience working in a ministerial or theological context
- Have a university theological qualification or a good honours degree in a humanities subject together with experience in a church context
- Attend an interview
- Submit your application online through the university web site
- If English is not your first language then English language proficiency required is IELTS 6.5 overall with no element lower than 5.5 (or equivalent qualification)
For those applying from the Diocese of Chichester a fee arrangement is in place which allows students to study with support from the diocese.
For more information please contact either:
- The Rev’d Dr Earl Collins – Collins@chichester.anglican.org
- Canon Rebecca Swyer – Swyer@chichester.anglican.org
For those applying from the Diocese of Portsmouth support may be available.
The Rev’d Dr Anthony Rusttell – Anthony.Rustell@portsmouth.anglican.org
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.
