Course Overview
Masters Degree in Theology which comprises of two years provides the students with opportunities to specialize in the various branches of theology such as Biblical, Moral and Dogmatic Theology.
MTh in Theology conducted by Tely-Alpha Centre for Religious Science provides the students with opportunities to specialize in the various branches of theology. The course is intended to train the students for scientific research and prepares them to teach theology, with the specialization in their respective branch of Theology, in seminaries, in institutions of higher learning and Alpha Institute of Theology and Science comprises 2 years of rigorous research and study. The course, which is conducted on a cyclical basis, consists of lectures, tutorial, seminars, field work, learning of foreign languages and the furnishing of a scientific dissertation, which is to be defended at the end of the course. It offers opportunities to the students for personal study and research under the guidance of competent professors.
This course is offered entirely online and is intended for catechism teachers and others who wish to pursue studies in Theology but are unable to attend regular classes because of personal or professional obligations. Upon successful completion of the course, a certificate is awarded by the Tely-Alpha Centre for Religious Science.
Requirements and Conditions
Attendance
Students must attend all lectures without neglect, carry out all prescribed academic assignments and participate in the regular activities of the institute. For any period of absence, the Director/Dean of studies is to be informed before-hand. Applications for longer periods of leave duly countersigned by the respective authority is to be made in writing to the Director/Dean of Studies at least 3 days in advance.
Seminars
In addition to the above- mentioned courses students are expected to present two scientific papers as part of seminars during the course of their research. The seminars are conducted on relevant topics that are not included in the regular academic programme. Experts on the theme will be invited to give input talks and orientation. The topic would be suggested to the students by the academic board after sufficient consultations and study. Each seminar would be equal to a two credit course.
Foreign LanguagesEvery MTh student is expected to have the basic knowledge in at least two of the classic languages of Hebrew, Greek, Syriac and Latin and one of the modern languages, such as, German , Spanish, Italian or French . Mastery of these languages is expected to enable students to have a direct access to the sources and to help them widen the horizon of their original thinking.
Evaluation of the CourseExaminations will be held for every course taught. Normally examinations are held at the end of each semester. If circumstances require, at the discretion of the Director and Dean of the institute, examinations may also take place at other periods.
ii. Examinations may be oral or written, with or without a certain percentage of marks allotted to a written assignment or an internal assessment (at the discretion of the individual professor). For any change in the schedule of the exams, the permission of the director and dean of Studies have to be sought.
iii. No student will be allowed to repeat an examination if he/she has passed with low marks in a subject. The students who fail in one or more subjects are to repeat the same in the second session of examination sat the beginning of the following semester.The dates of the second session of examinations will be intimated by the Dean. Maximum of only 69% can be awarded in the second session.
Comprehensive Examination
Masters Degree in Theology (MTh) comprises of Specialized studies and research work in various branches of theology and allied sciences. Its duration is of four semesters (2 Years) at the end of which there will be comprehensive examination leading to MTh degree.
Dissertationa. The Dissertation or the Scientific Research Paper performs a major scheme of the Master's Degree in Theology. Through the Scientific Research paper the student is not only introduced into the art of scientific presentation of a theme, but also helped to specialize in a field of interest within the scope of the specific branch of Theology. The research will be done under the guidance of a qualified professor, who would constantly accompany the student through his/her expertise, timely evaluations and corrections.
b. The candidate has to register his topic of dissertation by submitting to the Dean/Registrar the duly filled-in form of registration after having obtained the signature of his/her moderator.
c. Dissertation should be typed in white paper of good quality and sufficient opacity. All sheets of paper used should be of the same quality. Manifold paper should not be used.
d. An "A4" size paper should be used for dissertation. The text of the dissertation should be typed with 1.5" line spacing, except in the case where quotations are given in indent. A space of 1.5" on the left margin and a space of 1" on the right margin should be kept. A space of 1" should be kept on the top and the bottom of the page. Dissertation should be typed only on one side of the paper.
e. The dissertation should be of minimum 100 pages and maximum 140 pages. The above- mentioned page limit includes the bibliography and the appendices.
f. students have to submit 3 copies of the dissertation to the Dean one month prior to the defense (one month of Institute working days).
g. The cover page shall have the format approved by the Institute.
h. A dissertation submitted without observing the above-mentioned requirements will not be accepted.
The public defense
Upon submission of the dissertation, the Head of the department (Director)/ Dean of studies shall fix the moderators and finalise the date of defense after consulting the Registrar. The public defense of the dissertation, lasting an hour, will take place before a board of two examiners, who will be the first and the second moderators. The defense can take place only when all the other requirements for the respective degree have been fulfilled.
- Grading System
|
40% |
Pass Mark |
|
41%-50% |
Third Class |
|
51%-69% |
Second Class |
|
70%-84% |
First Class |
|
85% and above |
Distinction |
This marking system corresponds to the traditional Roman system: Pass-6; second class 7; first class 8; distinction 9-10.
In global evaluation the mark is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of individual marks by the number of the examinations.
MTh - Biblical Theology (Syllabus)
Specialization Courses
• Social Justice in Bible
• Gospel of John: Thematic Study
• Apocryphal Books: Historical - Critical Analysis
• Paul as a Pastoral Theologian in Corinthian Correspondences
• Patristic Exegesis
• Hebrew Poetry- Psalms
• Book of Revelation: Hermeneutical Issues
• Concept of God in Wisdom Literature
• Understanding OT as a Prophetic Literature
• Ecclesiology of the Universal Letters
• Historical Approaches in the Bible
• New Trends in Hermeneutics
General Courses
• Philosophy and Theology
• Spiritual Theology
• Uniqueness of Christ in the Theology of Other Religion
• Modern Trends in the Morality of Life
• Historical Evolution and Trends of Modern Missiology
• Special Questions in Christology
• Modern Trends in Theological Anthropology
Language Courses
• Biblical Greek II
• Biblical Hebrew II - Readings
• Syriac Language: A window to Eastern Churches
• Latin
Assignments & Dissertation
• Passover and Paschal Lamb Imagery in the Gospel of John
• An Exegetical Analysis of a Psalm
• Salient Features of Verbum Domini
• Dei Verbum
• MTh Dissertation
