Programme description Theology and Religion

The PhD programme is open for projects in the fields of theology and religion. Theology and Religious Studies are two distinct scholarly fields, which historically represented rather different research perspectives on religious faith. The programme aims at enabling PhD candidates to generate new knowledge in these two research traditions and to critically reflect on the traditions and the spectre of methods they represent.

The field of theology traditionally consisted of the four disciplines Old Testament, New Testament, Church History and Systematic Theology. Later, other disciplines were added, and for VID, this concerns in particular Missiology and Practical Theology. The theological research tradition has been discipline-oriented, and historically and textually focused, but has gradually become more interdisciplinary and empirically focused. This development is also reflected within VID, which has a particular focus on global issues and questions.

The field of religious studies has traditionally been based in the historically oriented Science of Religion/History of Religion where text and/or linguistic based studies and hermeneutics were essential. Gradually, approaches from anthropology, sociology and gender studies have broadened the focus on religious studies, and more attention on everyday religion and meaning-making, individual and institutional practices and roles have been implemented. At VID, the focus is primarily on empirical studies of current religious trends, globally and locally.

There are important material and methodological parallels between VID’s focus in theology and religion. First, there is an overlap in methodology, in the programme’s focus on interdisciplinary and empirical methods. Second, there is a global focus and an interest in the interaction between the global and the local, in particular encounters of religions and cultures. The programme offers an interdisciplinary context for one's specialized concentration, whether it is authoritative texts and their interpretation and reception, systematic theology, ethics, historical and/or cultural studies of religion, or empirical research on religious beliefs and practice.

Occupational profiles of graduates

The programme in theology and religion is intended to prepare candidates for professional careers in teaching, writing, and scholarship, as well as for leadership opportunities with religious organizations, social service agencies, NGOs, publishing, and in educational institutions.

Structure of the study programme

The study programme offers a combination of compulsory and elective courses and is structured in order to accommodate the needs of the different students. Each student prepares an individual education plan, which includes plan for internationalization.

Thesis (150 ECTS)

Either: a monograph of 100.000 words

Or: a collection of 3-5 scholarly articles, with an introduction

Training (minimum 30 ECTS)

Discipline/thesis related courses (10 ECTS - minimum)

PHD-TR 904, or Elective PhD courses currently on offer, or External courses

Theory/method courses (5 ECTS – minimum)

PHD-TR 903 Text and interpretation or PHD-DVP 903 Qualitative research methods or External course (in addition to at least one of VID’s courses)

Introductory courses (10 ECTS)

PHD-TR 901 Start-up, research ethics, programme profile, and

PHD-TR 902 Philosophy of science, programme profile

The programme offers introductory courses every year. PhD 901 and Phd 902 are compulsory. Three method courses are arranged in cooperation with VID’s PhD programme in Diaconia, Values and Professional Practice (DVP). Students in the TR programme must take at least one of these. The programme offers a number of elective courses: the students can design a topic/thesis specific course together with their supervisor; a selection of PhD courses is offered in the programme on a rotating basis; and the student can take courses

offered in VID’s PhD programme in Diaconia, Values and Professional Praxis (DVP). Participation in external courses and seminars—or a research school—may replace corresponding parts of in the programme’s course catalogue, provided acceptance by centre leader and follow-up by the supervisor. In other words 15 out of 30 required ECTS are compulsory to take inside the programme, the other 15 (+), the student is free to take either within or outside the PhD programme.

In addition to the courses, the PhD programme will offer tuition and courses in generic research skills. This activity will be planned and implemented in close communication with the PhD students, and be a supplement to the individual supervision. Themes for such courses are e.g.:

• writing of the extended abstract in the article-based dissertation
• creating the literature review, writing a scientific article, writing academic English, coauthorship
• challenges in the supervision relationship
• the use of certain tools (Endnote, Nvivo, SPSS)
• participating and presenting in international research conferences
• presenting research to the public
• planning for a post-doctoral career

The learning outcome descriptions are placed at the 3. cycle in accordance with the national qualifications framework for higher education. Upon completion of the program, the candidate should have the following learning outcomes, divided into knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• is in the forefront of knowledge within their respective discipline in either theology or religious studies
• can reflect critically on the historical differences between the scholarly traditions and inter-disciplinary meeting points
• is in the forefront of knowledge concerning global perspectives and issues in the study of theology and religion
• masters these fields’ philosophy of science and methodologies
• can evaluate the expediency and application of the various methods within the fields of theology and religious studies
• has a thorough understanding of the various processes within research and scholarly projects

Skills

The candidate

• can formulate problems, plan and carry out research and scholarly work of a high international standard within their respective field
• can choose and apply appropriate methods for their research
• can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation in the fields of theology and religion
• can apply global and intercultural perspectives on contempary issues in theology and religion
• can handle complex academic issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in the field
• can engage in popular dissemination of research within their field

General Competence

The candidate

• can identify relevant ethical issues and carry out their research with scholarly integrity
• can manage complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects
• can communicate research and development work through recognized Norwegian and international channels
• can participate in academic debates in international forums
• can assess the need for, initiate and practice innovation

The PhD education normally consists of three years full-time study or six years half-time study. It includes:

• A formalized training (PhD courses) that covers general introduction to research/academic work as well as to the discipline and topic in which the thesis is to be written; the work load of the formalized training has a minimum of 30 ECTS credits,
• An independent research project that is carried out under academic supervision; this research project is expected to have a work load of 150 ECTS, and it is presented:

- either as a monograph of approximately 100.000 words,

- or as a collection of 3-5 scholarly articles that are published or accepted for publication in international journals with a high standing, and with an introduction relating the articles to each other and to the current research discourse.

PhD courses: The courses are arranged as intensive course weeks. They consist of lectures, group-work and discussion, a variety of pre-course and post-course assignments, and individual reading. For more details, see pt. 7 and the course description for each individual course.

Supervision: Each student is assigned two supervisors as a general rule, the project is allocated 210 hours formal supervision. For more, see §7 in Regulations for the PhD Degree at VID Specialized University.

Paper presentation seminars and research groups: The students are required to present and respond to at least one paper per year, either in the programme’s regular paper presentation seminars, or in a research group. The students are expected to be active participants in their respective research groups and are required to participate in at least one paper presentation seminar in the PhD programme each semester.

The students are expected to participate in international research conferences, and encouraged to be involved in international research cooperation.

They are also expected to spend some time as visitors/students at a relevant international research institution. The students are required to plan such activities from the start of their PhD period, and they are offered information about exchange institutions and funding possibilities.

Admission to the PhD programme normally requires a Master's Degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in Theology, Religious studies or other related academic disciplines. The University may after specific individual assessment approve other equivalent education as a basis for admission. Applicants may be required to take certain courses and/or special tests prior to admission in order to ensure that the entrance requirements are fulfilled.

The application should include completed application form, relevant documentation of education and research experience, and a project description (max. 10 pages), containing the following:

• Main aim and research questions
• Sources and method(s)
• Current research situation and relevant theoretical perspectives
• Legal and research ethical challenges