MA in Classical Christian Spirituality
Awarding Body: National University of Ireland (NUI)
Duration: One–year
Delivery:
Weekly attendance Thursdays
The burgeoning of interest in spirituality has been obvious for many years. Alongside people who see themselves drawn to explore spirituality within a religious context, there is also an increasing number of people who can be called ‘searchers’. For both groups, our post-modern culture has created uncertainty, lack of identity, erosion of traditional values, and a breakdown of community. This course attempts to respond to the questioning of both groups by delving into the tradition of Christian wisdom, exploring the insights of other faith traditions, appreciating the contribution of recent scientific discoveries and the input of modern writers and artists. This interdisciplinary approach, already familiar to students from their studies for the Higher Diploma in Christian Spirituality, is further expanded both through coursework and through the supervised research needed for the required dissertation. The emergence of spirituality as a valid subject for study and research, and as holding a legitimate place within the academy, is now accepted throughout the world.
The Aims of the Programme are:
• to build on the academic learning and skills acquired during studies for the Higher Diploma;
• to lead students onto a more professional level of academic writing through familiarity with research tools such as original sources, bibliographies, abstracts, bulletins, and internet; • to facilitate students’ understanding and use of different methodologies in the field of spirituality;
• to develop a sensitive appreciation of earlier historical expressions of Christian spirituality, and of other faith traditions;
• to deepen the dialogue between spirituality, the Bible, theology, and culture;
• to encourage further the use of insights from, and dialogue with, the human sciences;
• to enable students to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy developments in contemporary spirituality;
• to give students deeper confidence in their future ministries;
• to lay a foundation for further study in the area of spirituality.
Duration
This is a one–year full–time programme, being the second year of a two–year programme that leads to an MA in Spirituality.
Access, Transfer and Progression Routes
The entry requirement for the course is an honours in the Higher Diploma in Christian Spirituality, and applications should be received before 1 July.
Modules in the Programme
Modules are taken over two semesters from the following areas:Foundations
12th-14th Century Spiritualities
Spirituality, Social Concern and Gender
Contemplative Psychology
16th-17th Century Spiritualities
Trinitarian Dimensions of Christian Life
Spirituality and Culture
Personal Process
Programme/Group Integration
Electives
Four electives are offered each year and two of these are chosen by students. The topics include the following:
English Mystics
Discipleship in the New Testament
Irish/Celtic Spirituality
20th century spiritual writers
Ignatian Spirituality
Images of God in the Bible
Issues in Mysticism
Bible and Ecology
Mode of Delivery
Students will be enabled to achieve the learning outcomes through the following teaching and learning methodologies: lectures; guided reading; book reviews; terminal assessment; seminars, conferences, and small and large group discussion.
Modes of Assessment
Assessment for all taught modules will be by examination at the end of certain modules, as well as by continuous assessment, which may take the form of essays, ongoing projects, book reviews, open book examinations, oral examinations, take–home examinations and written examinations.
Dissertation
A dissertation of 20,000 words is required, using, where appropriate, diverse methodologies such as: form-descriptive, hermeneutical, systematic and mystagogic research methodologies in order to bring religious insight to bear on cultural, social, ecclesial issues. A pass mark in the dissertation is required for the MA. SOME PREVIOUS RESEARCHUndertaken in the Programme• Spirituality, Prayer and Mysticism in the Poetry of Emily Dickinson• The Liberating Dynamic of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola: Inner Freedom for Decision Making• How Gay People Find God: An Exploration• Religious Community: Postmodern Challenges• Aspects of Liturgical Spirituality in the Early Irish Church (5th –10th Century)• Depression and Spiritual Growth• Contemplating Living and Dying
Grants and Tax Relief
This programme is covered by the Higher Education Grants Scheme, and information regarding application procedures, eligibility and related matters may be obtained from the student’s Local Authority (or from the local Education and Library Board for students from Northern Ireland). This course is eligible for tax relief under Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 by the Department of Education and Science.Core Teaching Staff
Una Agnew ssl, BA, HDipEd, MASpir, PhD, Associate Professor, EmeritaBernadette Flanagan pbvm, BATh, HDipEd, MA, PhD, Associate Professor
John Finnegan sdb, BA, PedLic, DD, Associate Professor
Brian Grogan sj, BA, LicPhil, HDipEd, STL, PhD, Associate Professor, Emeritus
Christopher O’Donnell o.carm, MA, STD, Associate Professor, Emeritus
David Kelly osa, BD, BA, HDipEd, MASpir, PhD, Lecturer and Programme Director
Michael O’Sullivan sj, BSocSc, BPhil, BD, MTh, STL, PhD, Senior Lecturer
Denis Robinson cssp, BD, Dip.Dev.Studies, MA, PhD. Senior Lecturer