Welcome to the Department of Religions and Theology
The Department of Religions and Theology offers a non-denominational setting for the study of religions and theology within the humanities. The history of the teaching of its subject areas goes back to the foundation of the College.The degree programmes offered by the Department, Single Honors as well as Two Subject Moderatorship (i.e. “Joint Honors”), study religion both as a cultural force that influences worldviews, practices, and institutions, and as particular traditions, with a special focus on the monotheistic religions that have shaped Western religious and cultural history. The variety of approaches to religion as well as biblical texts, their origins and their histories of translation and reception from antiquity to the present age are core areas of enquiry. The Department’s staff and students represent a wide variety of backgrounds.
The study of religions, of the origins, reception and transformation of biblical traditions, and of the theologies that linked the truth claims of monotheism to the philosophies of each era has never been more relevant than it is in today’s globalised world. In taking this arts degree you will engage in broad introductions as well as in depth analyses of religious traditions and of the approaches used to examine them. You will get to know the contributions of different disciplines, such as history, archaeology, philology, philosophy, sociology, studies of literature, art and music. You will learn to trace major transformations in Western self-understandings from their roots in antiquity to the present day. Contemporary debates include issues such as science and religion, ethics in a technological culture, and the role of religion in the public sphere of pluralist democracies.
Our graduates go on to multiple career paths here in Ireland and throughout the world. They graduate with an understanding both of the challenges and opportunities which multi-cultural societies present, and of the resources developed in previous religious and cultural encounters within Mediterranean and European history. This understanding is of particular value to those who pursue careers in publishing, education, media, international affairs, public policy making, human resources and health care professions, law and business.
The Department of Religions and Theology enjoys many international contacts and we welcome visiting international students and scholars every year. Our staff members are engaged in research at an international level.
Entry and Course Requirements
No previous knowledge of the study of religions and theology is required for incoming undergraduate students. The Bachelor’s degree is typically four years long. In the first year, students follow set introductory modules before selecting from a range of module options in years two, three, and four.
Contact
Room 5010
Arts Building
Trinity College Dublin 2
Phone: +353 1 896 1297
Fax: + 353 1 677 4844
Contact: jwelch@tcd.ie | Last updated: Nov 16 2012 | Back to top