Undergraduate Courses » Student Views
Jenny Bourke (1999-2003)
I am currently studying Public Relations and am hoping to work in the charity sector or in public affairs. I am passionate about women's issues, ethics and politics (among other things!) - all subjects that I was introduced to through studying Biblical and Theological Studies. After I completed my undergrad degree, I went on to study an M.Phil. in International Peace Studies, which only confirmed my desire to work in an area that allows me to continue to engage with these topics. I cannot recommend the department or the course more highly. It was an amazing four years that provided me with a broad and relevant academic foundation. I found the staff always friendly and helpful, and was lucky enough to have fantastic classmates - many of whom are now my closest friends.
Agata Brzozowicz (Visiting Student in 2004/05)
First of all, great professors, very well prepared lectures, and a good quality of teaching. Secondly, very warm, helpful secretary Ms Welch.
I came to Trinity from Warsaw University. In the beginning I was completely lost, not only because of the new situation but also because of the language. I had to face lectures in English and I had heard that Irish people speak fast and incomprehensibly. Now I know that it happens only outside Trinity! I had no problems with understanding the lectures and, what was also important , I had no problems with the availability of course material. The library is full of helpful sources for studying and writing essays.
Like everybody I came to study Theology and Judaism with expectations, and I must say that the course has developed my interest in the subject. It has been a great experience and there is nothing better than studying abroad. For me the world has opened up and I am now trying to get a grant to study in Belgium.
Pamela Crehan (1999-2003)
I am currently studying at the King's Inns, with the hope of qualifying as a barrister in 2006. Throughout my studies there I have found that I have been able to use knowledge gained from my primary degree to help in my understanding of the law, particularly in the fields of constitutional law and jurisprudence. While I find the subjects I studied in the School of Religions under the umbrella of 'ethics' to be of most practical helpful in my current studies, I also feel that subjects such as hermeneutics, Celtic Christianity, and prophecy have helped to give me a breadth of education that I fear I would have lacked had I chosen a more vocationally oriented undergraduate degree such as law. I enjoyed my time studying in the department greatly—and that is largely due to the superb lecturers and other staff members who with their approachable manner made the department a super place to study!
Konrad Dechant (Mature Student, 1993-97)
At the age of 55 I started a Two Subject Moderatorship course of 'Greek B' in the Classics Department and 'Biblical Studies' in the School of Religions and Theology. My interest was simply to gain a better and deeper understanding of the roots of our (Western) civilisation.
After I got my degree I considered teaching; but on account of the age limit for places in the H. Dip. Course I was unable to take this route. Instead, I went on to take an M. Phil. in German literature and language pedagogy. Following this I undertook a research project for Newman House, St. Stephen's Green. The subject was Captain Hugh Montgomery, builder of No. 85, St. Stephen's Green, one of the most precious 18th century Dublin houses - part of the Newman House complex of University College, Dublin. I am presently employed by the Public Affairs Department of UCD working for the curator of Newman House.
I find that I constantly draw on the knowledge and thought-discipline gained through my undergraduate studies at Trinity. How can such great value be measured?
Alison Kelly (1993-1997)
“Do you want to be a Nun?” was the first question I was always asked. And when I admitted I wasn’t a Roman Catholic, it was then followed by, “So you want to be priest then?” Admitting to studying for a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies often causes strange reactions in other people. Some walk backwards very gently, eager to leave your presence, while others want to ask your opinion on recent church scandals, wars, films, and novels that have captured the media’s attention. All, however, ask that eternally scary question, “Well, what are you going to do with that?” Still, being part of a creative and energetic department for over eight years gave me plenty of time and resources to think up imaginative answers.
One of the best memories from my time in the School of Religions is of the class trip to Israel in spring 1996, an amazing adventure that was carefully co-coordinated by Jonathan Dyck and Sean Freyne (who somehow never let slip the manic nature of the ‘behind the scenes’ organization). The experience of walking down a grassy hill in Galilee with Sean is a memory that will never leave me. I also credit the School with filling me with a lifelong passion for the Hebrew language and the Hebrew Bible.
Other memories are surely the class Christmas parties in the O’Neills pub on Pearse street, the infamous ‘Theo’ ‘Irish coffee’ sessions during Freshers Week, and the end of exams celebrations outside the Pavilion bar. What this testifies to is the friendship we had as a class, a class that consisted of very different people, with very different interests and reasons for studying the subject. The friends that I made in my class are friends that have stayed with me ever since. As a small class we are still able to meet up at regular intervals or, at the very least, keep abreast of the varied career paths we are all embarked upon!
Now I am working as a museum curator, curating the collection in the Shrarjah Museum in the U.A.E. I find that aside from the intellectual subject matter, studying Biblical and theological studies taught me many invaluable skills. Biblical studies taught me different ways of reading, to never take things at face value, to always question. It taught me to listen to the voices of people who have been rendered silent and institutionally ignored. A training which has proved invaluable in my current job, where ideologies, politics and multiple interpretations reign. In fact, maybe it is only recently that I have come to love that subject which filled me with such dread as an undergraduate –Hermeneutics.
Clare McCloskey (1993-97)
I chose the Single Honor degree in Biblical and Theological Studies at Trinity because of the diverse subject-matter that it offered. It gave me exposure to subjects such as ancient history, social science, theology, and philosophy. I particularly enjoyed studying the development of theology in the twentieth century and reading existentialist writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. Post-World War II theology was an exceptionally thought-provoking subject and enabled me to gain an understanding of the role of religion in a post-war society and to explore the writings of authors such as Primo Levi.
In my third year at Trinity I was awarded an Erasmus Scholarship by the university, which allowed me to study at Glasgow University for the year. This was a fantastic opportunity, since I was able to study subjects such as Islamic theology and doctrinal theology and to take a specialised course on I Corinthians with a leading British Pauline expert, Dr John Barclay.
After completing my degree in Trinity I wanted to pursue a career in business and I decided that the next step was to get a qualification in accountancy. So I signed a three-and-a-half year contract with a firm of Chartered Accountants, and during my time with them I took the professional exams for admission to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. When I went hunting for jobs afterwards I found that prospective employers were very impressed by the unusual and interesting nature of my degree, and it provided an interesting point of discussion when asked about it at interviews.
I believe that my theology degree has helped me learn new subjects such as financial and management accounting, tax and auditing, since it prepared me to cope with advanced and difficult topics. The deeply analytical nature of theological study has also been extremely beneficial in my current career. Further, accountancy involves a significant amount of report writing—which is a skill that Arts students learn. In general, it seems to me that the broad scope of a degree in theology opens doors to a wide variety of professional careers, including law, accountancy, teaching, and journalism—to name but a few.
Paddy Mc Donald (1994 - 98)
I had a great time in college and I feel that studying theology has given me skills that I now need as a film producer. My analytical skill and my grasp of ideas and concepts were definitely engrained in me and honed through my studies in Trinity, and that has certainly benefited me over the last seven years. I would certainly recommend anybody to go to Trinity, and more especially to study Theology.
Philip Mckinley (2001-5)
Before I came to study Theology in Trinity a Christian friend warned me, 'You will leave worshipping the Devil!' While this might actually appeal to some people, after four years of study, I feel rather aggrieved at such a suggestion. The problem, some say, is that theology doesn't come from a faith perspective and it looks at God and Holy Scriptures critically.
However 'theology' means 'faith seeking understanding'. Everybody believes in something and everybody strives to understand what they believe. That's theology! There is no end to this exercise. That's why every faith is a journey and every journey involves the sharing of other experiences to shape it. Study in the School of Religions therefore helps to show you how certain people try and figure out what they believe.
However, theology has also been described as 'being confused at a more informed level', because it seems to leave you with more questions than answers. But this is surely what education is all about, the engendering of a lifetime's love of learning. It is therefore the great strength of the course that atheists and theists, the indifferent and the zealous, the young and the old share the experience of trying to figure out what they believe together.
If an atheist is not prepared to listen to St. Anselm's 'ontological' argument for the existence of God or a theist is not willing to listen to Nietzsche's 'God is dead' theory, then neither will be able to survive in the modern world. The only survival skill required for this course is an open mind. Armed with that, you will be equipped to understand more fully those you disagree with and also to shape and enhance what you already believe. Tolerance of others and the integrity of one's own faith are not mutually exclusive.
Sara Öhman Gehlin (Lund University, Sweden, Visiting student in 2000/2001)
To study at the Department of Religions and Theology at Trinity College as a one-year visiting student was a great experience. When I arrived in Dublin in autumn 2000, it was my first time visiting Ireland. However, it quickly felt like home. The teachers at the Department met us international students with great enthusiasm and I will never forget the kindness and helpfulness of the secretary at the Department, Ms. Jane Welch. Also the Chaplaincy at Trinity was a very nice meeting-place for a great circle of friends during the whole year.
The courses offered at the Department were interesting and the teaching of high quality. I have had a lot of use of and joy at having studied one year abroad. In my theological studies I have concentrated on ecumenics and international relations. The time spent at the Department of Religions and Theology at Trinity College has definitely provided a lot of inspiration to my further studies of these topics!
Máire Uí Bhroin (1999-2003)
I am just completing a year doing a Higher Diploma in Education (through Gaelic) in NUI Galway. Although I did Single Honors at Trinity, I am a fluent Irish speaker and was thrilled to get onto this course. After leaving Trinity I got work as a substitute teacher in a local community school and my subjects included Religion, English, and CSPE. I'm so pleased to have my degree in Theology. When I was doing my teaching practice I felt so confident teaching about Jesus—for example, the Sermon on the Mount. And I also knew to compare it with the Ten Commandments. I was competent in Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam as well. I have nothing but praise for every module I studied in the Single Honors course. It was such a wonderful opportunity to study the history of the Jews in the modern world. I loved Celtic Spirituality, and the modules on Reconciliation and World Religions that we did in the Fourth Year. I also think that the non-denominational way in which Christianity was taught is very healthy. At least nobody was saying "I'm right and you are wrong". I did practice my faith when I was studying (and I still do) and I tried to live out in my experience what was coming up in the lectures and essays…. One more thing I really enjoyed was learning Koine Greek. I couldn't believe so many words in English have roots in Greek.
Richard Tighe (1999-2003)
I absolutely loved the School. The lecturers I had were both an inspiration to work with and very friendly. I would especially like to mention Dr Lesley Grant, Dr Rik Van Nieuwenhove who is now teaching in Limerick, Dr Anne Fitzpatrick, Dr John May, Jane Welch, Dr Terence McCaughey and Dr John Scally, who were a great support to me and instilled in me a great passion for theology that has driven me to start work on a Ph.D.
Contact: jwelch@tcd.ie | Last updated: Nov 16 2012 | Back to top