Master of Arts with Concentration in Religion and the Environment
The concentration is designed for those students who intend to pursue further graduate education in theology or its cognate disciplines or those who seek additional depth of knowledge in a particular field of study. It may be appropriate in some cases for those who do not plan to pursue doctoral study but who expect to teach in a specific discipline in institutions overseas.
Graduation from the School of Theology follows the successful completion of all requirements for the specified program of study and the approval of the degree by the Senate of the University upon nomination by the Faculty of the School of Theology.
A Master of Arts student who has successfully completed all prescribed work, has completed all non-credit degree requirements, has submitted a complete portfolio if applicable, and has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.33 is eligible to be awarded the Master of Arts degree. Work toward the degree is to be concluded within four consecutive years from the date of matriculation.
Additionally, a student must satisfy all financial obligations to the University. The University will neither confer a degree nor provide transcripts to any student or former student who has unsatisfied financial obligations to the University.
Requirements
Drawing on the distinctive strengths of the School of Theology and the Environmental Studies Program and affiliated departments of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Master of Arts with a concentration in Religion and the Environment is a flexible program that utilizes Sewanee’s unique ability to contribute to an internationally recognized and vibrant field of interdisciplinary inquiry. After a basic grounding in the tools of Biblical studies, theology, and ethics, distribution requirements guide students so they are exposed to a variety of perspectives on environmental issues, ranging from the “hard sciences” to policy studies. Further elective work within the concentration allows the student to pursue specific interests, and a research project serves as the capstone in the concentration. The courses used to satisfy the distribution requirements should be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor.
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| BIBL 501 | Old Testament I: From Prehistory to the Promised Land | 3 |
| BIBL 502 | Old Testament II: Prophets, Exile, and Aftermath | 3 |
| BIBL 511 | New Testament I: The Gospels in Context | 3 |
| BIBL 512 | New Testament II: The Bible after Jesus | 3 |
| CEMT 511 | Introduction to Moral Theology | 3 |
| THEO 511 | Systematic Theology I | 3 |
| Concentration 2, 3 | 18 | |
| Select one course in environmental theology or ethics, such as the following: | ||
| Many Sides of Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Climate Ethics | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| God and Nature | ||
| Readings in Contemporary Eco-Theology | ||
| Creation, Evolution, and God | ||
| Readings in Teilhard de Chardin | ||
| Select one course in environmental policy, such as the following: | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Environmental Policy and Law | ||
| Water Resource Policy and Law | ||
| International Environmental Policy | ||
| Select one environmentally-themed course in Religious Studies (RELG), such as the following: | ||
| Religious Environmentalism | ||
| Religion and Ecology | ||
| Greening Buddhism | ||
| Select one course in environmental science, such as the following: | ||
| Field Investigations in Biology | ||
| Advanced Conservation Biology | ||
| Ecology (Lab) | ||
| Biodiversity: Pattern and Process (Lab) | ||
| Introduction to Forestry (Lab) | ||
| Physical Geology (Lab) | ||
| Select two additional courses from those listed above or from the list of additional electives within the concentration 4 | ||
| Select three additional elective courses. Recommended options include the following: | 9 | |
| Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
| Community and Organizational Leadership | ||
| THEO 598 | Research Project 5 | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 48 | |
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Course substitutions may be made with the approval of the advisor. To substitute a course within the respective areas of Biblical Studies (BIBL), Christian Ethics and Moral Theology (CEMT), or Systematic Theology (THEO), the students must seek the advisor's permission; the advisor, in turn, notifies the Coordinator of Academic Affairs, who registers the student for the substituted course(s).
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In addition to the courses listed below for each area, substitutions may be approved by the advisor. To substitute a different course within the areas below, the student must seek the advisor's permission; the advisor, in turn, notifies the Coordinator of Academic Affairs, who registers the student for the approved substitute course(s).
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Six courses are required for the concentration. Depending on the courses selected, the number of semester hours required for the concentration may range from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 24.
- 4
These courses will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor to create a focus on policy, arts, humanities, or science, preparatory to the work of the research project. Certain courses require specific academic background, while others are open without prerequisite. Students should consult with their advisor and with the instructor of courses of interest to determine appropriate placement.
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The student will undertake a research project in the last year of enrollment. In the Advent semester, the student secures the agreement of a faculty member from the School of Theology and a faculty member from the College to supervise the project. The student develops a project proposal in consultation with the supervisors, and no later than November 15 submits the proposal to the advisor and the Office of Academic Affairs. The research project is to be a contribution to scholarly discussion. It is to be 5,500-7,500 words or equivalent exclusive of documentation and is to be submitted to the project supervisors once it is completed, no later than April 15 for graduation in May.
Non-credit Degree Requirements1
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bibliography, Research, and Writing Workshop | ||
| Cultural Diversity Workshop | ||
| Education for Ministry (EfM) Workshop | ||
| Safeguarding God's Children Workshop | ||
| Safeguarding God's People Workshop | ||
| THEO 566 | Religion and Environment Colloquium 2 | 0 |
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For details on these workshops, see the Non-credit Degree Requirements for Graduation section.
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Students are required to enroll in THEO 566 each semester.