MASTER OF THEOLOGY DEGREE COURSE (M.Th) The Seminary offers Master of Theology(M.Th) Courses ENGLISH: in the following branches in Branch I Branch II Branch III Branch IV Branch V Branch IX Branch X Old Testament New Testament Christian Theology History of Christianity Religions Social Analysis Communication The degree of Master of Theology is a two year post graduate degree in theology. However, if the faculty decides that any candidate admitted to Social Analysis Programme needs to have more exposure or to do some qualifying courses, he/she has to do a three year programme. The main objectives of the Programmes are: (a) To train candidates for teaching in theological colleges. (b) To promote the formation of well equipped Christian teachers, leaders, communicators, writers and scholars. (c) To equip candidates with adequate academic tools and skills for critical and methodological reflection as well as creative participation in the diversified ministries of the Church. (d) To provide leadership for shaping the self-understanding and structures of the Church, which are relevant for fulfilling its God-given vocation in the world. (e) To promote critical and creative research in specialized fields of knowledge related to the life, heritage and mission of the Church as well as contextual Christian faith, and to advance the frontiers of knowledge. (e) To encourage independent and original research using integrated and interdisciplinary approach in theological education. Admission Requirements: The following persons may apply for the M.Th. Degree programme of study: (i) The candidate must have a work experience of 3 years after the completion of B D. However, women students may be able to join M.Th with 2 years of work experience after the completion of B D.
(ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College in Second Class with B Grade (60%) and passed at least 3 papers at B.D. level securing at least Second Class (B Grade) in the Branch in which he or she plans to do the M. Th. Course. A B.Th graduate who upgraded to B D should have passed at least two papers in his/her branch of specialization as part of his/her B D course. A person with B.C.S. degree of Serampore College in II Class with B Grade (60%) will be permitted to register for the M.Th. course in the fields of Christian Ministry and Social Analysis provided they undergo a period of exposure/practical work of at least 6 to 8 months prior to admission through the post-graduate college where he/she seeks admission and passes the qualifying papers at the required standard (B Grade) in these branches. Requests for admission to other branches will be determined by the Committee on Academic Administration. A person who holds academic qualification that in the opinion of the Committee on Academic Administration of the Senate of Serampore College at least equivalent to B.D. in First and Second Class B Grade. (a) A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College securing an over all average and branch average of 55% (B-) separately and retakes 4 papers at B.D. level in the intended branch of specialization and secures an average of 60% (B) and not less than 55% (B-) in any course examination by the Senate, in one sitting. Or (b) A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College securing an average of 60% (B) in the Branch of specialization with only 55% (B-) as the overall average and retakes 2 papers in that branch and 2 papers from other branches to be examined by the Senate and secures an average of 60% (B) and not less than 55% (B-) in any paper in one sitting. (i) (ii) (iii) No candidate shall be allowed more than two attempts to complete the qualifying examination. Where college papers are not equivalent to the Senate full courses, the appropriate committee will decide All Qualifying examinations shall be conducted by the Senate. Regarding exemption for the degrees awarded by Colleges/universities other than Senate of Serampore College, as well as for details regarding Qualifying examinations, please write to The Registrar, Senate of Serampore College, Serampore 712201, Dist. Hoogly, West Bengal. Language Requirements: In additional to the above, candidates are expected to fulfil the following requirements for admission to various branches.
Old Testament: The candidates should have passed in at least two Hebrew courses at B.D. level, (other than the preliminary course) securing a Second Class average. New Testament: The candidates should have passed in at least three Greek papers at B.D. level (other than the preliminary course, at least two in the case of candidates who have passed at least one advanced course in a classical Biblical language) with a minimum of Second Class average grade. Christian Theology: A candidate should have passed one course at B.D. level (other than Preliminary course) in either, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Syriac or Sanskrit. Or Possess ability to comprehend theological literature in German or French to be tested by a P.G. College. Religion: A candidate should have passed one advanced B.D. level paper in Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Arabic, conducted by the Senate. He/She should also demonstrate knowledge of the language related to his research for writing the thesis. A person who has not passed the required language papers in the B D Course and/or has not secured the minimum grade prescribed for the language papers required for admission shall be expected to take a qualifying examination in the language(s) concerned under the Senate and pass at the level required, prior to admission. ADMISSION DETAILS a. Application form together with the Prospectus can be obtained on payment of Rs.200/- by M.O. to the Finance Cor-ordinator, the Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Arasaradi, Madurai 625 016, India. A written requisition should also be sent to the Dean, P.G.Studies (SSC) of the Seminary. Foreign students have to pay 10 US Dollars towards the cost of application. b. Filled in application forms enclosing Sponsorship letter, Financial Guarantee letter, Service Certificate, Church recommendation letter and attested copies of the Transcript of B.D., Higher School Leaving Certificate, and Confirmation Certificate should reach the Dean, PG Studies of the Seminary on or before 1 st February along with a D.D. in favour of THE TAMILNADU THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, MADURAI for Rupees one hundred (Rs.200/-) only towards Entrance Exam Fee. The envelope should be subscribed, Application for M.Th.Studies. Late application forms should reach the Principal s office on or before 1 st March, with a late fee of Rs.100/- in the form of a Demand Draft in favour of THE TAMILANDAU THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, MADURAI.
Originals should be submitted at the P.G. Office (SSC) on admission. c. Any incomplete application form not providing vital information sought for will be rejected. Enclosures not found to be in order will also make the application invalid. d. All the applicants to the M.Th.Progammes have to appear for the Entrance Examination (Written & Oral) on the Prescribed Texts at 9.00 A.M. on a day fixed by the Seminary and followed by an Interview in the following day at the Seminary premises. The date for entrance Exam and Interview will be informed to the applicant in a separate letter. Free accommodation to out-station candidates could be arranged on the Examinations and interview. If you need accommodation please write to the Dean, P.G..Studies (SSC) for accommodation. The candidates may have his/her meals either at the Students Hostel or the College Canteen or outside the campus. e. The provisional selection list will be released after the interview. The selected Candidates are required to undergo a Medical test in Madurai at their own expenses, arranged by the Seminary. f. Written communication regarding the final selection will be intimated to the applicants in a month s time. Correspondence in this regard will not be entertained before such time. PRESCRIBED TEXTS FOR ENTRANCE EXAMS BRANCH I: OLD TESTAMENT A preliminary Hebrew test and translation of the selected text from the book of Deuteronomy. Childs, Brevard S. Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context, London: SCM Press, 1985. BRANCH II: NEW TESTAMENT Part A: A Preliminary Greek test and translation of the selected text from the Gospel of Mark 1-5 chapters to test the ability to find out the syntax and the problems of textual variation. (60 marks) Part B: General issues to do with the interpretation of the New Testament (20 marks) Part C: Knowledge of the recent publications on N.T studies. (20 marks). BRANCH III: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
For a preliminary test on the general survey of Christian Theology. Ref. 1. Juan Luis Segundo, Liberation Theology, New York, Orbis, 1975. 2. Leonard Fernando S.J. Christian Faith Meets Other Faiths: Origins Contra Celsum and its Relevance for India Today, Delhi; ISPCK, 1998. 3. Paul S.Fiddes, Participating in God; A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity: London: Dartin Longman and Todd, 2000. BRANCH IV: HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY For a preliminary test on the general survey of History of Christianity (One question paper in two parts) Ref: 1. Handling of sources pertaining to Early Christianity William G. Young Hand book of Source materials for Studies of Church History. 2. Selected Themes on History Christianity in India D.Arthur Jeyakumar, History of Christainity in India, Selected themes. BRANCH V: RELIGIONS For a preliminary test on the general survey of Religion. Ref: 1. Whaling, Frank (ed.) Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion in 2 Volumes. Vol.1, The Humanities, Berlin: Moulton publishers, 1984. 2. Lott, Eric J. Vision, Tradition, Interpretation, Theology, Religion and the Study of Religion, Mouton de Gruyter, 1998. 3. Aleaz, K.P. Dimensions of Indian Religion, Study, Experience and Interaction, Calcutta: Punthi Pustak, 1995. BRNACH IX: SOCIAL ANALYSIS
For the written Test: Gabriele Dietrich & Towards understanding Indian Society, Centre for Social Bastian Wilenga Anlysis Team, TTS, Madurai 625 016. (Rs.95/-) plus postage BRANCH X: COMMUNICATION For the written Test: 1. John Joshua Raja & Samson Prabhakar, Introduction to Communication and Media Studies, Bangalore: BTESSC/SATHRI, 2006. 2. Denis McQuail, Mass Communication Theory: An Introduction, 3 rd edition, London: Sage, 1994.