Our MA program allows students latitude in pursuing their interests within the Department’s areas of concentration: Jewish Studies (Hebrew Bible & Jewish Literature, History, Thought, Culture) Christian Studies (Bible & Christian Literature, History, Thought, Culture) Islamic Studies (Quran & Islamic Literature, History, Thought, Culture) Asian Religions (Literature, History, Thought, Culture in Hinduism or Buddhism) American Religion (with a focus on African American Religion, Native American Religion, Southern Religion) Our MA degree typically takes two years, though students construct an individualized timeline. All MA students take graduate-level coursework that helps them dive more deeply into their chosen research area. They write and defend a Master's thesis on a topic of their choice. Program of Study GradFIRST Seminar and Teaching Seminar GRSC 7001 GradFIRST Seminar, an introduction to graduate study at UGA RELI 7771 Teaching Seminar (or GRSC 7770 or an equivalent UGA pedagogy seminar), required for MA students on a Teaching Assistantship Theories Seminar RELI 8770 Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion Coursework (24 hours) MA students take at least 24 hours of graduate-level coursework, allowing them to build in-depth knowledge of their selected research topic. At least 12 hours must be taken in 8000-level or graduate-only courses (excluding 7000, 7005, 7300). RELI 8770 may count toward the 24 hours of coursework and toward the 12 hours at 8000-level. The 24 hours of coursework include 18 hours in a major area and 6 hours in a minor area. Major Area A major (min. 18 hours) to be selected from one of the following areas of concentration: Jewish Studies (Hebrew Bible & Jewish Literature, History, Thought, Culture) Christian Studies (Bible & Christian Literature, History, Thought, Culture) Islamic Studies (Quran & Islamic Literature, History, Thought, Culture) Asian Religions (Literature, History, Thought, Culture in Hinduism or Buddhism) American Religion (with a focus on African American Religion, Native American Religion, Southern Religion) Minor Area A minor (min. 6 hours) in an area outside the major field, selected in consultation with the major professor from the areas of concentration listed above or from other pertinent areas such as: Anthropology Classics History Philosophy Political Science Sociology Psychology Linguistics This list is a suggestion; other minors are available with the approval of your major professor. Individualized Requirements Major professors and students may consider the option of adding coursework to gain more advanced proficiency in particular research topics, methods, languages, or similar. This depends on the student's individualized research area and approach. Research Skills Requirement Our department's default policy is reading knowledge of one non-English language, such as (but not limited to) Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Pali, Sanskrit, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, or another pertinent language to be decided upon by the student in consultation with the major professor. Research and Writing Hours for the Master's Thesis In consultation with their major professor and other relevant faculty, MA students will research, write, and defend an in-depth scholarly Master's thesis on a research topic that is of particular interest to them. RELI 7000 Master's Research, min. 3 hrs. RELI 7300 Master's Thesis, min. 3 hrs.
