POSTGRADUATE PROSPECTUS - London School of Theology

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LST 14RESEARCH DEGREESMTh – Master of TheologyFull-time: 1-2 yearsPart-time: 2-3 yearsAssessment: Thesis of upto 40,000 words and oralexamination (viva)Who is it for?The degree is aimed at people with priortheological training – theology graduates,ministers and pastors, missionaries, ReligiousEducation teachers, and business people– as well as potential PhD students. It isparticularly suitable for those who cannotcommit themselves to the regular structureof a ‘taught’ Master’s course, or to the lengthof time necessary for a PhD.What is it about?The MTh is ideal if you want to dig deepinto one particular area rather than exploringthe wider variety of questions posed by a‘taught’ MA.It can provide a chance to reflect in moredepth on an experience you have had in yourjob or ministry, or for pastors, to address theircongregations with necessary expertise andcritical judgement.An MTh provides a solid apprenticeship inresearch and research writing for those whowish to progress to a PhD programme. Itis also excellent preparation for a future inteaching, writing and pastoral work.The MTh is a first research degree,combining training in research and writingskills. Candidates for this degree followa programme of study approved by theDirector of Research and write their thesison an approved topic in one of the majortheological disciplines. The thesis must bewell argued and be appropriately presentedwith clarity and conciseness of expression. Itis possible to transfer to MPhil (and then toPhD) registration with the agreement of thesupervisor(s) and Director of Research.Recent MTh thesesBridget Adams, Christ in the Market Place:Developing an Authentically Christian Model ofBusiness ChaplaincyHeather Churchill, Who am I? A Reflection tothe Topic of Personhood from the Disciplines ofTheology, Psychology and NeuroscienceTim Creber, A Dialogue with NicholasWolterstorff: An Outline, Assessment andDevelopment of Some Key Aspects ofWolterstorff’s Thought in Relation to ReligiousBelief and BehaviourElizabeth Grove, Women in Islam: ScripturalPerspectives and Modern ArgumentsAkhtar Injeeli, Sufism and Military Jihad: ACritique of the Prevailing View of Non-violentand Pacifist SufismJonas Kurlburg, Aspects of Contemporary FreeChurch EcclesiologyKirk Poth, The Significance of the Church’sPrayer Life in Acts and its Role in Paraenesis andSalvation HistoryDennis Ray, Christians in Malaysia: A CriticalEvaluation of Their Religious Rights withSpecific Reference to the Islamic Legal Conceptof DhimmaJoseph Sverker, The Holy Spirit and the icon:a critical consideration of Eastern OrthodoxTheology of the icon in relation to OrthodoxPneumatologyMPhil – Master of PhilosophyFull-time: 2-3 yearsPart-time: 3-4 yearsAssessment: Thesis of upto 65,000 words and oralexamination (viva)Who is it for?Like the MTh, the MPhil is aimed at peoplewith prior theological training – theologygraduates, ministers and pastors, missionaries,Religious Education teachers, and businesspeople. The MPhil is particularly good forpastors wanting an opportunity to developor maintain a subject-expertise and itsrelated research skills, either while continuingin pastoral ministry or taking time out toresearch full-time.What is it about?An MPhil thesis offers a careful and criticalinvestigation and evaluation of an approvedtopic, and demonstrates understanding ofthe research methods appropriate to yourchosen field. Your thesis does not need notto be ‘original’; however, it must demonstratethe ability to critique new ideas and a senseof proportion in evaluating evidence andscholarly interpretations. You are normallyexpected to read the language of yourprimary sources for an MPhil, but you arenot expected to engage with untranslatedsecondary literature.Recent MPhil thesesRosemary Ashley, An Investigation intoAuthority in the Church from a BiblicalPerspectiveKatarina Almonte, The Link betweenCharismatic Experiences and Revelation inJohn’s GospelBerhane Asmelash, The History of theKhatmiyyah Tariqah of Eritrea and the Impactof its Rituals and Ceremonials on Pre-existingBeliefs and Practices of the People of EritreaLST5642 - Postgraduate Prospectus revise v8REPRO.indd 14 12/08/2011 12:32
LST 15PhD – Doctor of PhilosophyFull-time: 3-5 yearsPart-time: 4-7 yearsAssessment: Thesis of upto 100,000 words and oralexamination (viva)Who is it for?The PhD is for people with prior theologicaltraining, usually to Master’s degree level, whowant to extend and increase their expertise.PhD graduates go on to many fields, includingtheological teaching in many parts of the world,church-based ministry, and senior leadership inchurches or Christian organisations.Why embark on a PhD?Doctoral research at LST involves work at thecutting edge of the theological disciplines. Youwill have the opportunity to furnish both theworldwide church and the academic communitywith expertise that will carry the best traditionsof Christian scholarship into the next generationand enable you to teach at tertiary level.“Doing doctoral studies atLST from a long way away(Melbourne, Australia)was a challenging butrewarding experience.Throughout my studiesI appreciated theencouragement and wisdomof the LST staff, especiallymy supervisor who wasonly ever an email or Skypeconversation away. I wasvery grateful to have asupervisor who walked meexpertly through the manysteps between my initialnervous interview and finalsubmission, and beyond togetting my thesis published.”Peter Mallen, Director, DiscipleshipEducation, Centre for Theology andMinistry, Melbourne, AustraliaSummaryA PhD thesis will test ideas and investigatean approved topic critically. You need to offera substantial fresh discovery or analysis, toargue some new critical hypothesis, or toprovide substantial new arguments for anolder one. Ultimately your research must resultin an independent and original contributionto knowledge which, in principle, is worthyof publication. By the time your thesis issubmitted, your competence in your chosenarea should be comparable with that of theexperts. PhD candidates have the ability tointeract with their primary sources in theoriginal languages (e.g. Hebrew or Greek)as well as with secondary material in themain research languages (English, Frenchand German). Languages required will varyconsiderably according to the area of studyand some may require no foreign languages.Recent published PhDthesesTimothy W. R. Churchill, Divine Initiativeand the Christology of the Damascus RoadEncounter (Pickwick, 2010)Rainer Schacke, Learning from Willow Creek?Church Services for Seekers in German MilieuContexts (Cuvillier Verlag, 2009)André Munzinger, Discerning the Spirits:Theological and Ethical Hermeneutics inPaul (SNTS monograph series; CambridgeUniversity Press, 2007)Hyung Dae Park, Finding Herem? A Study ofLuke-Acts in the Light of Herem (Library of NTStudies; T&T Clark, 2007)Andy Partington, Church and State: theContribution of the Church of England Bishopsto the House of Lords during the Thatcher Years(Paternoster, 2006)Nicholas P. Lunn, Word Order Variation inBiblical Hebrew Poetry (Paternoster, 2006)Martin Parsons, Unveiling God: ContextualizingChristology for Islamic Culture (William CareyLibrary, 2005)Kiwoong Son, Zion Symbolism in Hebrews.Hebrews 12:18-24 as a Hermeneutical Key tothe Epistle (Paternoster, 2005)Sorin Sabou, Between Horror and Hope. Paul’sMetaphorical Language of ‘Death’ in Romans6:1-11 (Paternoster, 2005)Patrick Mitchel, Evangelicalism and NationalIdentity in Ulster, 1921-1998 (OxfordUniversity Press, 2003)Research entryrequirementsTo apply to study for an MTh or MPhil youshould have at least a good second classhonours degree (normally an upper second) ina theological, biblical or related subject, or aninternationally recognised equivalent. Fora North American Master’s degree, youshould have a GPA of at least 3.6 for theMTh and at least 3.8 for the MPhil. If youhave taken a second theological degree (e.g.a British MA in biblical or theological studies)you will find yourself much better equippedfor a research degree.If your degree is in some other discipline, youwill need to demonstrate theological studyequivalent to two years full-time study (BritishDipHE standard). Work experience can beconsidered in place of qualifications in somecircumstances.Candidates registered for the MTh or MPhil,whose work proves to be of the appropriatestandard may (with the agreement of theDirector of Research) transfer registration tothe MPhil or PhD.To apply to study for a PhD, entry requirementsare similar to the MTh and MPhil. You willinitially be registered for the MPhil with a viewto upgrade to PhD. Formal registration for PhDnormally takes place when you are about a year(of full-time study) away from its completion.Those seeking registration with qualificationsother than those indicated above shouldwrite to the Postgraduate Administrator atLondon School of Theology, giving full detailsof their qualifications and (where appropriate)providing photocopies of relevant transcripts.Full-time or part-timestudy hoursFull-time study involves approximately 45hours per week, with part-time study involving22 hours per week. The hours allow for around5 weeks of vacation each year.LST5642 - Postgraduate Prospectus revise v8REPRO.indd 15 12/08/2011 12:32
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