Philosophical Theology MPhil

University of Oxford

MSt

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Philosophical Theology offers graduates in either philosophy or theology the opportunity to undertake advanced study in a field bridging the two disciplines.

The course is studied full-time, over nine months.

With a tutor, you will study two areas of philosophical theology. You should select your two papers based on your previous qualifications, from the following list:

• Philosophy of religion;
• History of philosophical theology; or
• A more specialised area of theology, such as the development of Christian doctrine to 787.

This course, which covers part of the ground covered by the MPhil in Philosophical Theology, provides an opportunity for advanced work in Philosophical Theology.

Candidates who opt to study History of Philosophical Theology, can choose to focus on two periods, for instance, the early medieval period and the period witnessing the birth of modern philosophy, 1760-1860. Those who are interested in exploring the history of Christian theology can choose between early Christianity (to AD 451) and the Reformation period.

For each area, depending on the subject and supervisor, you will have six or eight tutorials of 60 to 90 minutes in duration. For each tutorial, you will write an essay of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 words. Tutorials consist of close scrutiny and discussion of the essay and the issues it raises.

In addition to your tutorial work, you will also write a dissertation of 15,000 words, under the direction of a supervisor. The Faculty of Theology and Religion has a lively graduate community of students, including reading and work-in-progress groups.

MPhil

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Philosophical Theology is intended to provide you with detailed knowledge of philosophical theology, its history and a cognate area of philosophy, with the opportunity to hone your skills in research and in written and oral argument in these subjects.

Course structure

The course consists of a year of weekly tutorials followed by a year writing a 30,000 word dissertation.

In the first year, with a tutor, you will study three areas relevant to philosophical theology.

• The philosophy of religion: The choice of subject varies from such standards as arguments for and against the existence of God, but also subjects in the philosophical analysis of Christian doctrines.
• The history of philosophical theology: You will select two periods from the options of patristic (Origen, Augustine), medieval (Anselm, Aquinas) and modern (Kant, Schleiermacher, Kierkegaard) philosophy.
• A specialism in either philosophy or theology: You may select a subject such as metaphysics and theory of knowledge, or the development of Christian doctrine to 787.

For each area, depending on the subject and supervisor, you will have six or eight tutorials of 60 to 90 minutes in duration. For each tutorial, you will write an essay of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 words. Tutorials consist of close scrutiny and discussion of the essay and the issues it raises.

In the second year, under the direction of a supervisor, you will write a 30,000 word dissertation on a topic in philosophical theology. The Faculty of Theology and Religion has a lively graduate community of students, including reading and work-in-progress groups.