Distance Humanities or Theology Masters

I am looking for a distance Humanities or Theology Masters degree with some very specific criteria. I have had no luck, so I’m wondering if anyone knows of anything.

I desire to study the chronological relationships between the Pentateuch / Torah, Koran, and other historical texts related to the events in the “books of law”. I am looking for a kind of ‘religion free’ perspective.

This is for personal fulfillment, and cost is a consideration, but not an overriding factor.

Is this curriculum a pipe dream?

 

Probably not until you specified a "religion free" perspective.

I might know of something though. I'll get back to ya' here if I find what I think I remember seeing once that may be close... but which probably does come at it from a religious perspective.

I hope the others here who kinda' have their finger on the pulse of such programs will chime in and help you.

 

It sounds like what you're looking for is some sort of secular comparitive religion program. I've looked into something like this myself. Two options that may fit into what you seem to be looking for are:

1. The University of South Africa Religious Studies Dept. This is distinct from the theology department, and is actually part of the "Near and Far Eastern and Religious Studies" Dept. Looks interesting, really, and UNISA is priced quite reasonably (at least for those from relatively wealthier countries).

2. The Humanities MA program at California State University, Dominguez Hills has a "Philosophy & Religion" concentration, and gives some space for self-designed Independant Study courses. I haven't studied in the HUX program; maybe someone else who has can comment on that as well as the degree of flexibility for thesis topic.

Peace,

Matt

 

Steve Levicoff might have some good input. His doctorate is in Law and Religion, if I remember correctly.

 

Re: Re: Distance Humanities or Theology Masters

Another benefit of the UNISA program is that there is (IIRC) a research based Masters program that would allow you to design your research according to your own interests.
Jack

 

What do you mean by "religion free"? These are essentially religious texts and can't really be examined apart from their religious aspects. (Secularism is a relatively new phenomena.)

However, if you mean that you're looking for something that is more generically religious or totally non-sectarian -- there should be lots of options. And I would think that some of the distance humanities degrees would give you the freedom to explore that particular interest. Something like the Humanities External Master of Arts (HUX) program at Cal State Dominguez Hills might be a good option.

 

There are, perhaps, two separate questions being asked here. One might be, "Can anyone tell me which schools offer Humanities/Religious Studies degrees?" Another might be where can I earn a degree where I am allowed to focus on _____"

Most Masters degree programs, DL or B&M, have a presscribed course of study that is fairly generic. The HUX program is of good quality but may not grant the opportunity for a student to delve into something like "chronological relationships" between several different religious texts. A research-based degree program might afford that opportunity, if you can find an advisor.
Don't forget SATS.
Jack

 

There are at least four members of the HUX faculty that look qualified to lead someone through such an examination on the masters level.

 

I don't understand your topic. Are you talking about the dates of the writings themselves, the dates of the events mentioned in the writings, or something else?

But whatever, you obviusly need a program that treats both Islam and Judaism, at least.

Several people have mentioned CSUDH-HUX. I'm a HUX graduate, and while you might conceivably be able to find somebody to be your thesis advisor on such a project, there's little in the way of coursework that would apply.

I think that the University of Wales at Lampeter's DL MA in the Study of Religion might be a better bet.

http://www.lamp.ac.uk/trs/Postgraduate/MA_worlds_religions.htm

Another possibiliy is Lampeter's new DL MA in Islamic Studies. I imagine that they would let you do a thesis (they call it a dissertation) involving a comparative topic concerning Islamic and Jewish law.

http://www.lamp.ac.uk/cis/CIS_MA_04.htm

 

This is great advice.

Non-sectarian would have been a better term for me to use. I’m looking for a study of the information with as few modern interpretations as possible. Also, honestly, I’m looking to be introduced to other writings from the time that are outside of mainstream canon. I know there are many, some that influence the interpretations of the core works.

Both the HUX and UNISA programs look interesting, the HUX program look slightly customizable, but would involve some courses that I don’t really want. I especially like the UNISA research based program, which seems better suited to my specific goals.

The Lampeter program looks like an overview of religion, which isn’t what I am looking for. The Islamic studies might be interesting, but I’m looking for ‘non-sectarian’ views.

I’m going to look harder at UNISA.