Graduate Diploma in Arts major in Theological and Religious Studies

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How do we evaluate different beliefs and practices? How do theology and religion continue to shape the contemporary world, and how do we understand and negotiate theological and religious differences? Theological and Religious Studies at the University of Auckland provides opportunities to dig into these questions, learning about and critically reflecting on the diverse commitments of people in and beyond Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our courses include a range of interdisciplinary approaches to religion, drawing from sociology, history, theology, gender studies and biblical studies. The programme has particular strengths in religious history, Asian religions, Christianity, contextual and liberation theologies, and Pacific theology and religion.

Theological and Religious Studies provides a solid foundation for a variety of careers. Students develop investigative, interpretative and critical skills that have broad applicability. Our students hold a wide range of religious, spiritual and secular commitments. Some have gone on to work in education, politics, the NGO sector, community development, and for churches and religious communities.

Theological and Religious Studies allow students to critically reflect on and better understand their own commitments and to develop a deeper appreciation of the diversity of human belief and practice. Theological and Religious Studies will enrich your personal life and open new doors for professional development.

Complete 120 points comprising:

45 points for Bachelor of Arts major in Theological and Religious Studies Stage III Courses, and
At least 15 points from Additional Courses from the Bachelor of Arts major in Theological and Religious Studies, and
0 to 60 points from Courses from the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Schedules

Selected courses must include at least 75 points at level 300 or higher.

Bachelor of Arts major in Theological and Religious Studies Stage III Courses

Complete 45 points comprising:

15 points from Group 1 Elective Courses, and
30 points from Group 2 Elective Courses

Group 1 Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

THEOREL 300 - Here I Stand: The World and Legacy of Martin Luther (15 points)

THEOREL 301 - Religious Texts of Terror (15 points)

THEOREL 302 - A History of the Apocalypse (15 points)

THEOREL 306 - Religion in Film and Television (15 points)

THEOREL 308 - Special Topic: Judaism: Identity and Practice (15 points)

THEOREL 309 - Directed Study 1 (15 points)

THEOREL 310 - Directed Study 2 (15 points)

THEOREL 313 - Special Topic (15 points)

THEOREL 314 - Special Topic (15 points)

THEOREL 316 - Early Christianity (15 points)

THEOREL 318 - Making Sense of Suffering and Trauma (15 points)

THEOREL 319 - Theory and Method in Religious Studies (15 points)

THEOREL 320 - Religion in New Zealand (15 points)

THEOREL 321 - Comparative Religion and Society (15 points)

THEOREL 322 - Can we Survive? Responding to the Climate Crisis. (15 points)

THEOREL 323 - How People Became Things: Christianity, Colonisation and Race (15 points)

Group 2 Elective Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from the following:

ANCIENT 352 - Egyptian Religion (15 points)

ANCIENT 355 - The Later Roman Empire (15 points)

ANTHRO 319 - World-view and Religion (15 points)

ARTHIST 324 - Power and Piety: The Baroque (15 points)

ARTHIST 325 - Imaging the Renaissance (15 points)

HISTORY 339 - Medieval Cultures: Faith, Power, Identities (15 points)

HISTORY 356 - Body and Blood: Religious Cultures and Conflicts c.50-1650 (15 points)

JAPANESE 308 - Religion in Modern Japanese Society (15 points)

MAORI 320 - Mātauranga: Māori Knowledge (15 points)

PHIL 302 - Medieval Philosophy (15 points)

PHIL 327 - Philosophy and Religion (15 points)

THEOREL 300 - Here I Stand: The World and Legacy of Martin Luther (15 points)

THEOREL 301 - Religious Texts of Terror (15 points)

THEOREL 302 - A History of the Apocalypse (15 points)

THEOREL 306 - Religion in Film and Television (15 points)

THEOREL 308 - Special Topic: Judaism: Identity and Practice (15 points)

THEOREL 309 - Directed Study 1 (15 points)

THEOREL 310 - Directed Study 2 (15 points)

THEOREL 313 - Special Topic (15 points)

THEOREL 314 - Special Topic (15 points)

THEOREL 316 - Early Christianity (15 points)

THEOREL 318 - Making Sense of Suffering and Trauma (15 points)

THEOREL 319 - Theory and Method in Religious Studies (15 points)

THEOREL 320 - Religion in New Zealand (15 points)

THEOREL 321 - Comparative Religion and Society (15 points)

THEOREL 322 - Can we Survive? Responding to the Climate Crisis. (15 points)

THEOREL 323 - How People Became Things: Christianity, Colonisation and Race (15 points)

Additional Courses from the Bachelor of Arts major in Theological and Religious Studies

Complete at least 15 points from the following:

TREL-BA - Bachelor of Arts major in Theological and Religious Studies (120 points)

Courses from the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Schedules

Complete 0 to 60 points from the following:

BA - Bachelor of Arts (360 points)

BA(Hons) - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (120 points)