Our MA program allows students latitude in pursuing their interests within the Department’s areas of concentration: American Studies (American Religion, African American Religion, Native American Religion, Southern Religion) Asian Studies (Literature, History, Thought in Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Jainism, Sikhism, and/or Shinto) African and African Diaspora Studies Biblical Studies (Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Biblical World) Christian Studies (Bible & Christian Literature, History, Thought) Islamic Studies (Quran & Islamic Literature, History, Thought and Sufism) Jewish Studies (Hebrew Bible & Jewish Literature, History, Thought) 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 complete a written comprehensive exam and submit a proposal (or prospectus) for a Master's thesis. They write and defend a thesis on a topic of their choice. Course Requirements GradFIRST and Pedagogy seminars GRSC 7001 GradFIRST Seminar, required for all graduate students at UGA RELI 7771 Teaching Religious Studies (or GRSC 7770 or an equivalent UGA pedagogy seminar), required for MA students on a Teaching Assistantship RELI 8770 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 (18 hours) to be selected from one of the following areas of concentration: American Studies (American Religion, African American Religion, Native American Religion, Southern Religion) Asian Studies (Literature, History, Thought in Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Jainism, Sikhism, and/or Shinto) African and African Diaspora Studies Biblical Studies (Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Biblical World) Christian Studies (Bible & Christian Literature, History, Thought) Islamic Studies (Quran & Islamic Literature, History, Thought and Sufism) Jewish Studies (Hebrew Bible & Jewish Literature, History, Thought) Minor Area A minor (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 Greco-Roman History Philosophy Political Science Sociology Psychology Linguistics Ancient Near Eastern History This list is a suggestion; other minors are available with the approval of your major professor. Research Skills Requirement MA students are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of one foreign language, such as Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Pali, Sanskrit, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, or other pertinent language (to be decided upon by the student in consultation with the major professor). This requirement may be satisfied in a number of ways: e.g. by completing the third course in an undergraduate language sequence with a grade of B or above; by completing a language course offered for graduate students who seek to fulfill their language requirement; by departmental examination in the Department of Romance Languages or Germanic and Slavic Studies; or successful completion of an individual exam approved by the major professor and Graduate Coordinator. 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.
