The Graduate Program of the Department of Religion has four tracks of study, American Religious History (ARH), History and Ethnography of Religion (HER), Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy (REP) and Religions of Western Antiquity (RWA). Eachtrack comprises its own program of study. Satisfying the degree requirements of one of these tracks constitutes getting a degree in Religion from the Department of Religion. Students admitted to one of the four tracks will be advised by faculty in that area. They will also take courses and fulfill some of their degree requirements outside that area. It is a general policy of the department to admit only full-time students to the Graduate Program in Religion. Each track has specific degree requirements; information on these requirements follows below. Consult also:
The credit hour requirements vary among the tracks of study in the Religion Department.
American Religious History (M.A.)
Coursework
Hour Requirements: 30 hours, of which 6 hours can be thesis credit (36 hours)
Each student will be assigned an advisor upon entering the program. The program of course work, up to nine hours of which may be taken in another department, will be developed with the advisor. Students will take RLG 5035 (Introduction to the Study of Religion) and at least four ARH courses. All students are also required to take the pedagogy seminar, RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom).
Languages
Reading knowledge of one language of research is required.
Thesis
Each student will write a thesis. Normally the student will choose a thesis topic and a provisional thesis committee by the end of the first year. Before the end of Religion Department Graduate Student Handbook/6the third semester the student is expected to submit and defend a prospectus. The prospectus should include a thesis statement, a description of the main sections of the thesis text and argument, and a working bibliography. At times deemed appropriate by the major advisor, students will orally defend both the prospectus and the written thesis.
History and Ethnography of Religions (M.A.)
Coursework
Hour Requirements: 33 hours, of which 6 hours can be thesis credit (36 hours)
In consultation with HER faculty, master's students develop a program of course work allowing both breadth and depth in the historical and anthropological study of religion, specializing in one of three individual areas of specialization:
- Religions of Africa & the Caribbean (African Indigenous Religions; African Initiated Churches; Afro-Caribbean religions; Christianity, Islam, and Judaism; New religious movements)
- Religions of Asia (Buddhism; Hinduism; Shinto; Religious traditions of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam)
- Religions of Western Europe & the Mediterranean (medieval or early modern Christianity and Judaism; Islam)
Students pursuing the M.A. degree in one of these areas of specialization are required to take at least 33 credit hours (10 courses) of graded course work distributed as follows:
- RLG 5035 (Introduction to the Study of Religion; 3 credit hours)
- Six courses (18 credit hours) within the primary area of specialization (African and/or Afro-Caribbean religions; Buddhism; Hinduism; Islam; medieval or early modern Christianity; Shinto; Religious traditions of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam)
- Two courses (6 credit hours), which may be inside or outside the HER concentration
- Thesis (6 credit hours)
- The above requirements may be partially satisfied by up to two courses (6 credit hours) taken in a department other than Religion, with prior approval.
- Students are also required to take the pedagogy seminar, RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom).
Languages
Students must meet the following minimum language requirement:
- Completion of a third-semester course of one language relevant to the student's area of research.
- Completion of a grade of "pass" on a reading knowledge exam in another language relevant to the student's area of research is encouraged but not required.
Thesis
Students must write a Master's thesis (6 credit hours) in the primary area of specialization, adhering to the following timetable:
- A provisional thesis topic and committee will be chosen by the end of the first year. The faculty thesis committee consists of three members of which two are normally within the HER concentration. The third may be from inside or outside the department. Optionally, there may be a fourth member.
- A formal written thesis proposal with bibliography must be approved by the student's advisor during the third or fourth semester, before October 15 (or March 15).
- The thesis will be submitted to the committee in the fifth or sixth semester, a minimum of two weeks before the oral defense.
- The oral defense will be scheduled in early April for spring completion (in early November for fall completion) in order to meet University deadlines for final submission of the thesis.
University guidelines regarding the thesis can be found in the “Thesis, Dissertation and Graduation” section of this handbook.
Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy (M.A.)
Coursework
Hour Requirements: 33 hours, of which 6 hours can be thesis credit (36 hours)
In consultation with concentration faculty, students will develop a program of thirty credit hours over and above RLG 5035 (Introduction to the Study of Religion). Students must take classes from at least three different REP faculty and no classes taken on an S/U basis can be counted towards REP course requirements. All students are also required to take the pedagogy seminar, RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom).
Languages
Reading knowledge of one language of research is required. Classes taken to fulfill this requirement are not counted toward the credit hour requirement for the M.A. degree.
Thesis
Students may petition REP faculty to write an MA thesis under the supervision of an REP faculty member. If this petition is approved, students will take eight classes Religion Department Graduate Student Handbook/8in addition to RLG 5035, leading to a thesis-based MA degree. University guidelines regarding the thesis can be found in the “Thesis, Dissertation and Graduation” section of this handbook.
Religions of Western Antiquity (M.A.)
Coursework
Hour Requirements: 36 hours
Students must take (in addition to RLG 5035) at least 24 credit hours in the area of Religions of Western Antiquity (including ancient languages), and 6 hours of electives.
Of these 30 hours (all of which must be taken for a letter grade), no more than 9 hours may be taken outside the Religion Department. Coursework in the area of Western Antiquity may be done in other departments such as Religion and Art History. All RWA MA students must take the proseminars in Hebrew Bible and New Testament offered in alternate spring semesters.
Up to 9 hours of introductory ancient language work (i.e. courses focusing on grammar) may count toward the required M.A. credit hours. Language courses focusing primarily on the translation and interpretation of texts (such as Intermediate Hebrew and advanced courses in Greek and Latin) can be counted as part of the required RWA coursework, but at least 15 hours of the 36 total required hours, must be in courses that do not have a significant translation component.
All students are also required to take the pedagogy seminar, RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom).
All coursework needs to be approved by the RWA Faculty (see below).
Language Requirements
Hebrew and Greek
Students must complete a third-semester course of Classical Hebrew or Classical Greek and a second semester course of the other.
Other Languages
In addition to the above, students must either: (1) pass the language exam or take the equivalent of a third-semester university course in French or German; (2) take one semester of another ancient language (such as Latin, Aramaic, Syriac, or Coptic); or (3) complete a third–semester course in both Classical Hebrew and Classical Greek.
Advising
Upon entering the program, each student will be assigned an advisor from the RWA faculty. At the beginning of each semester, students will discuss possible courses with their advisor and will then submit a list of proposed courses to the RWA faculty for approval. At the end of every spring semester, each student will meet with the RWA faculty as a group to discuss individual plans and progress (see “Annual Evaluations of Graduate Students” below). Although students will have one advisor for administrative purposes, they are encouraged to discuss their interests and plans with all members of the RWA faculty.
American Religious History (Ph.D.)
Coursework
Hour Requirements: at least 30 hours beyond the MA level (27 with MA thesis in Religion) and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.
Students pursuing the Ph.D. degree are required to take 30 hours (10 courses) of graded course work beyond the Master's level and 24 dissertation hours for a total of 54 credit hours. As students focus their interests, they might be required to engage in further study beyond the 30 hours if their specialties require it. The completion of a Master's Thesis in Religion qualifies a student for a 3-hour reduction in the Ph.D. coursework requirement. The 30 hours of graded coursework should be distributed as follows:
- Required Courses: RLG 5035 Introduction to the Study of Religion; RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom)
- Seminars: At least 15 hours of graduate seminar courses in American religious history; including a 6000-level course in the historiography of North American religions
- Secondary Area: 6 hours of additional courses in religion
- Exam preparation: 6 hours of reading preparation for comprehensive exams
Languages
Prior to sitting for the doctoral exams, a student must demonstrate reading competency in two research languages beyond English, ordinarily French and German. A student may substitute Spanish for one of those languages in cases where projected research requires it. Likewise, depending on the focus of the dissertation, a student may be required to acquire competency in additional languages, such as Creole and Native American languages, Latin and Greek, or Asian languages.
Exams
An intensive period of examination takes place at the completion of coursework for the Ph.D. and prior to writing a dissertation prospectus. Students write essays in response to questions in four areas and take an oral exam based on their essays. At least six months prior to sitting for exams, students must establish their comprehensive exam committee. The committee normally will consist of an ARH faculty advisor; two other ARH faculty members; and a fourth member from the department of religion or another FSU department to advise (as necessary) the secondary area. Students construct reading lists for each of their exams in consultation with their advisor and their three-member exam committee. Exam periods are at the end of fall semester and at the end of spring semester. The four exam areas are:
- American Religious History: This exam focuses primarily on the historiography of American religion. The exam covers the history of comprehensive scholarly narratives about American religious history as well as historical analyses of major topics and trends.
- Methods in American Religious History: This exam involves explanation and analysis of several different methods useful in historical studies of American religion. Methods discussed in this exam might include, for example, ethnography, gender theory, spatial analysis, and one more or more types of textual, sociological, or psychological analysis. This exam will also test critical use of historical sources.
- Secondary Area: Ph.D. candidates are expected to show mastery of an area of study in religion outside American religious history. This exam tests that mastery and is designed to help qualify students to teach at least one course in an area outside their specialization in American religious history.
- Dissertation Area: This exam focuses on the subfield within American religious history in which the student will write a dissertation.
Prospectus
Upon satisfactory performance in the doctoral exams, a student will prepare, in consultation with an advisor, a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus must be delivered to the Graduate Studies Committee in the semester immediately following the doctoral examinations. The prospectus should include a thesis statement, an explanation of how the thesis will be developed and argued from one chapter to the next, and a discussion of the originality of the dissertation thesis with respect to existing scholarly literature. The prospectus should also include a working bibliography. The Committee may require that a candidate revise and resubmit the prospectus. Acceptance of the prospectus signifies the advancement of the student to "Ph.D. candidate" status.
Dissertation and Defense
The dissertation is to be written under the guidance of the student's doctoral advisor. A committee of at least four faculty members, including three from the Religion Department and one from another department, will read the dissertation and set a time for the oral defense. The student will formally defend the dissertation before the committee and peers. University guidelines regarding the dissertation and defense can be found in the “Thesis, Dissertation and Graduation” section of this handbook.
Continuation of Funding
Departmental funding for a doctoral student will expire 24 months after the completion of the doctoral exams.
History and Ethnography of Religions (Ph.D.)
Coursework
Hour Requirements: at least 24 hours beyond the M.A. in Religion or relevant discipline and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.
In consultation with HER faculty, doctoral students will develop a program of course work and advanced research allowing both breadth and depth in the historical and anthropological study of religion, specializing in one of three individual areas of specialization:
- Religions of Africa & the Caribbean (African Indigenous Religions; African Initiated Churches; Afro-Caribbean religions; Christianity, Islam, and Judaism; New religious movements)
- Religions of Asia (Buddhism; Hinduism; Shinto; Religious traditions of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam)
- Religions of Western Europe & the Mediterranean (medieval or early modern Christianity and Judaism; Islam)
Students pursuing the Ph.D. degree in one of these areas of specialization are required to take 24 credit hours (8 courses) of graded course work beyond the M.A. level (M.A. level is the equivalent of 33 credit hours of graduate course work) and 24 dissertation hours for a total of at least 48 credit hours. The 24 credit hours of graded course work should be distributed as follows:
- Primary area of specialization: Four courses (12 credit hours)
- Secondary area of specialization: Two courses (6 credit hours), which may be inside or outside the HER concentration
- Theory and method: Two courses (6 credit hours), which may be taken in another department, with prior approval. One must be RLG 5035 (Introduction to the Study of Religion)
- Dissertation research (24 credit hours)
For all students RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom) is required.
Languages
Doctoral candidates must meet the following minimum language requirements. Languages chosen must be relevant to the field of specialization and approved by the student's faculty committee.
- First research language, up through 4th year level or equivalent
- Second research language, if required for the area of specialization
- Reading knowledge of French, German, Italian, or Spanish, demonstrated by passing the reading knowledge exam (Another language may be substituted with approval).
The languages necessary for advanced research in each field of specialization include the following:
- African & Caribbean Religions: To be determined in consultation with advisor*
- Buddhism: Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese
- Chinese Religions: Chinese, Japanese
- Christianity (medieval or early modern): Latin
- Hinduism: Sanskrit, Hindi
- Islam: Arabic
- Tibetan Religions: Tibetan, Chinese and/or Sanskrit
*Students specializing in Religions of Africa and the Caribbean will determine relevant languages for their research in close consultation with faculty. Language requirements for Africa will likely include a historically non-indigenous African language (like Afrikaans, Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Spanish) and an indigenous African language, and, for the Caribbean, a creole or Amerindian language and a European colonial or South Asian language. Students will want to learn where such languages are taught in the United States and Africa and whether or not FLAS grants would fund such study.
Exams
By the end of the semester preceding the completion of course work, a proposal for the content and schedule of the comprehensive exams is worked out between the student and the faculty committee. Comprehensive exams usually begin after all course requirements (including languages) are completed. Exams may be administered in a number of ways; determination of scheduling and format is a matter for student proposals, which then may be modified or approved by the faculty. It is required that all comprehensive exams be completed within one semester. Successful completion of comprehensive exams signifies the advancement of the student to "Ph.D. candidate" status.
Exams will be completed in the following four areas:
- Primary religious tradition (African and/or Afro-Caribbean religions; Buddhism; Hinduism; Islam; medieval or early modern Christianity; Shinto; Religious traditions of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam)
- Secondary religious tradition (African and/or Afro-Caribbean religions; Buddhism; Hinduism; Islam; medieval or early modern Christianity; Shinto; Religious traditions of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam)
- Theory and methodology in the study of religion, including theory and method specific to student's dissertation research
- Comparative theme, phenomenon, or issue in religious studies (e.g., asceticism, pilgrimage, sacrifice, nationalism, gender, iconography, a philosophical concept, etc. to be chosen in consultation with the committee)
Prospectus
Upon satisfactory performance in the doctoral exams, a student will prepare, in consultation with an advisor, a detailed dissertation prospectus. The prospectus must be delivered to the Graduate Studies Committee in the semester immediately following the completion of doctoral examinations. In the case of students applying for dissertation fellowships with early deadlines, it may be submitted earlier. The prospectus should include a thesis statement, an explanation of how the thesis will be developed and argued from one chapter to the next, and a discussion of the originality of the dissertation thesis with respect to existing scholarly literature. The prospectus should also include a working bibliography. The Committee may require that a candidate revise and resubmit the prospectus.
Dissertation and Defense
Dissertation in area of primary tradition. Extended ethnographic and archival study abroad in a country relevant to the candidate's dissertation research is required as a part of the dissertation preparation.
Continuation of Funding
Departmental funding for a doctoral student will expire 24 months after the completion of the doctoral exams.
Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Coursework
Hour Requirements: at least 24 hours beyond the MA in Religion and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.
Students who obtain the Ph.D. in Religion with concentration in religion, ethics, and philosophy will normally complete 24 hours (8 courses) beyond the M.A. The goal of competence is primary, however, and individual students may be advised to take additional hours to ensure adequate preparation. The precise program of courses will be determined in consultation with area faculty. Doctoral students must take, either at the MA or PhD level, RLG 5035 (Introduction to the Study of Religion) and, for all students RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom).
Languages
Students will also satisfy language requirements, as follows: reading competence in two languages of research (usually French and German), as shown either by successful completion on a test administered by the FSU Department of Modern Languages, or by prior work (with cases to be determined by area faculty); competence as necessary for the student's area of research (for example, students engaged in comparative analyses of Islamic, Buddhist, or Hindu materials will be expected to show an acceptable level of competence in primary source languages.) Please note: It is expected that students entering the Ph.D. program will show competence in at least one language of research prior to beginning coursework.
Exams
Following completion of coursework and language requirements, students may be approved for a set of comprehensive exams. These examinations are for the purpose of demonstrating competence for teaching and research in areas related to the goals of the religion, ethics, and philosophy program. In consultation with area faculty, individual students design a proposal for these exams, which typically will include an exam focused on theory and method in the study of religion; an exam focused on modern and historic expressions of religious thought in Christianity or Judaism; and two special areas of particular relevance to a student's interests. We strongly urge students to take up a second religious tradition as one of the special areas. Exams may be administered in a number of ways; determination of scheduling and format is a matter for student proposals, which then may be modified or approved by the faculty.
Prospectus
Upon satisfactory performance in the doctoral exams, a student will prepare, in consultation with an advisor, a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus must be delivered to the Graduate Studies Committee in the semester immediately following the doctoral examinations. The prospectus should include a thesis statement, an explanation of how the thesis will be developed and argued from one chapter to the next, and a discussion of the originality of the dissertation thesis with respect to existing scholarly literature. The prospectus should also include a working bibliography. The Committee may require that a candidate revise and resubmit the prospectus. Acceptance of the prospectus signifies the advancement of the student to "Ph.D. candidate" status. University guidelines regarding the prospectus can be found in the “Thesis, Dissertation and Graduation” section of this handbook.
Dissertation and Defense
Following successful completion of examinations, students work with faculty on a dissertation, understood to be an original contribution to scholarship. University guidelines regarding the dissertation and defense can be found in the “Thesis, Dissertation and Graduation” section of this handbook.
Continuation of Funding
Departmental funding for a doctoral student will expire 24 months after the completion of the doctoral exams.
Religions of Western Antiquity (Ph.D.)
Hour Requirements: at least 24 hours beyond the MA level and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.
Prerequisites
Reading knowledge of two of the following languages: Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French, or German. One of these must be Greek or Hebrew at the intermediate level. M.A. with a significant concentration in Western Antiquity.
Coursework
Requirements that must be met during the PhD program
At least eight graduate courses must be taken during the doctoral program (not including beginning language work, professional development, supervised teaching, etc.). Four of these must be seminars in Ancient Judaism or Christianity, with at least one seminar in each tradition. In addition to these seminars, students will take two additional courses in the area of their concentration.
Requirements that may be met during an MA Program.
- RLG 5035: Introduction to the Study of Religion
- RLG 5030: (Religion in the Classroom)
- Hebrew Bible Proseminar
- New Testament Proseminar
- Two advanced surveys dealing with Judaism in the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
- Greco-Roman World: Two graduate-level courses dealing with the Greco- Roman World that do not focus on Judaism or Christianity.
- Outside Field: Two graduate level courses in religion (or a field related to religion) that do not deal primarily with the ancient world.
Languages
- French and German (third-semester course or university exams)
- Classical Greek and Hebrew (third-semester course level of one and fourth- semester course level of the other).
- Aramaic/Syriac (one semester)
- An additional semester of Aramaic/Syriac or two semesters of Latin
- Ancient language and at least one of the modern language requirements must be met before students can begin exams. All requirements must be met before student is admitted to candidacy (ABD).
Exams
Normally exams will be taken during the 3rd year of the PhD program within six months of the completion of course work.
Students will sit for the following four exams, which may be taken in any order:
- Greek or Hebrew Language: The exam will be based on a text the student has prepared in advance and must be approved by the RWA faculty. It should not be a text that has been read as part of a Greek or Hebrew course. The Hebrew Exam will be based on approximately 30 BHS pages of a prose text or 20 BHS pages of a poetic text. The Greek Exam will be based on a text of approximately 25 pages (c. 5000 words) from Philo, Josephus, Lucian, Plutarch, Justin, or Eusebius.
- Greco-Roman World: Based on a reading list of primary and secondary texts dealing with the history, philosophy, literature and religion of the Greco- Roman world.
- Christianity in Late Antiquity (through the mid fifth century): Based on a reading list of primary and secondary texts. More extensive knowledge of the ancient evidence and modern scholarship will be expected for three special areas.
- Judaism from the Babylonian Exile through Late Antiquity: Based on a reading list of primary and secondary texts.
The language exam will consist of a written translation exam. The Greco-Roman World, Christianity, and Judaism Exams will each consist of a written and oral component, the latter to be scheduled within two weeks of the corresponding written exam. For each of these three exams, in addition to gaining familiarity with the general content and key issues of all the primary and secondary literature on the reading lists, students will choose: (1) two themes or issues that will require analysis of a broad range of material from the reading list and (2) a special area that will require more extensive knowledge of the ancient evidence and modern scholarship for the subject.
Committee
Soon after a Ph.D. student passes their comprehensive exams, they will, with input from their advisor, form their dissertation committee. The committee will have at least four members and will include at least three RWA faculty members as well as the required University Representative. This person must be a faculty member with tenure at FSU in a department other than Religion. As far as possible, the outside committee member should be familiar with the area and/or methods relating to the dissertation.
Prospectus
Upon satisfactory performance in the doctoral exams, a student will prepare, in consultation with an advisor, a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus should include the following items:
- A description of the subject of the dissertation
- Research questions driving the project
- The proposed project’s original contribution to scholarship
- A breakdown and description of each chapter of the dissertation
- A bibliography
The prospectus should be 15-20 pages, plus bibliography. Once the student, in consultation with their advisor, has worked out an acceptable prospectus, they will send it to their entire committee for review. The committee may require that a candidate revise and resubmit the prospectus. Once the committee accepts the prospectus, the student advances to "Ph.D. candidate" status. It is not required but the student and/or their advisor may want to have the prospectus workshopped in a RWA Colloquium meeting.
Dissertation and Defense
Following successful completion of examinations, students work with faculty on a dissertation, understood to be an original contribution to scholarship. University guidelines regarding the dissertation and defense can be found in the “Thesis, Dissertation and Graduation” section of this handbook.
Advising
Upon entering the program, each student will be assigned an advisor from the RWA faculty. At the beginning of each semester, students will discuss possible courses with their advisor and will then submit a list of proposed courses to the RWA faculty for approval. Although students will have one advisor for administrative purposes, they are encouraged to discuss their interests and plans with all members of the RWA faculty.
Progress Review
There will be a meeting of the RWA faculty and each student toward the end of the Spring Semester, during which the student's progress toward his/her degree will be reviewed (see “Annual Evaluation of Graduate Students” below).
Continuation of Funding
Departmental funding for a doctoral student will expire 24 months after the completion of the doctoral exams.