Graduate Religious Studies: Modern Religious Thought -- The University of Iowa

314 Gilmore Hall • Iowa City, IA 52242 • 319-335-2164

Modern Religious Thought: Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, and Culture

The program in Modern Religious Thought focuses on historical and contemporary efforts to address fundamental religious, philosophical, and ethical questions: What is ultimately real? What is the meaning of human existence? How ought one to live? Students investigate efforts to answer these and related questions by drawing on traditions of western and Islamic thought and culture, attending primarily to the modern period. The comparative study of religious thought is encouraged.

Ph.D. Concentrations

Doctoral students in Modern Religious Thought are expected to become familiar with a variety of approaches to the study of religion. Students work with area faculty members to acquire a broad view of the historical, philosophical, ethical, and political dimensions of religious thought. Students concentrate their advanced studies in one of four areas:

Theology, Philosophy, and Religious Thought
Students who select this concentration engage in a broad study of western and Islamic philosophical and theological traditions, focusing on central thinkers and arguments. Students concentrate on major nineteenth and twentieth century developments. Students may choose to focus their studies on a variety of topics that emerge within the field of religious studies, including issues in theology, philosophy of religion, or other forms of critical reflection on religion.

Religious Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Students in this area of concentration study the history of western and Islamic philosophical and theological ethics, focusing on influential thinkers and tradition-defining arguments. Students also study recent developments in the study of religion, religious ethics, comparative religious ethics, and moral philosophy, focusing on prominent themes and issues. Students in this area are expected to include as an element of their programs the study of one domain of applied ethics. The MRT faculty have expertise in the domains of bioethics, sexual ethics, political ethics, the ethics of war, and the ethics of human rights.

Religion, Literature, and the Arts
Students in this area of concentration study the relationship between religion and literature or religion and the arts. Students combine advanced coursework in theology, philosophy, and/or ethics with courses in the history and theoretical study of literature, film, painting, and the like. Students seek to understand the religious meanings that arise within an artistic medium and/or the artistic dimensions of religious thought.

Religion, Politics, and Law
Students in this area of concentration study how western and Islamic traditions of religious and philosophical thought approach matters of politics and law. Building on a foundation of knowledge in philosophy, theology, and ethics, students study how religious traditions reflect on political authority, the nature, varieties, and purposes of law, and various other topics such as war, democracy, and human rights.

Students who choose an interdisciplinary concentration are generally expected to have substantial prior training in relevant fields—for example, in literature, film, art, art criticism, politics, law, or political philosophy. Students with an interdisciplinary focus typically undertake advanced studies with faculty from departments such as English, Art and Art History, Comparative Literature and Cinema, Theatre Arts, Political Science, or Philosophy.

In all cases, students work with faculty committees to construct an approved curriculum of courses that reflect their previous training and support their interests and goals. Specific possibilities for graduate study within each area of concentration are determined by faculty expertise within Religious Studies, along with faculty strengths in other units within the university.

1. Course Requirements

a. Students take four courses required of all Ph.D. students in Religious Studies (12 s.h.)
    Methods and Theories in the Study of Religion
    Western Religious Traditions
    Asian Religious Traditions
    Teaching Religious Studies

b. Students take at least three graduate seminars (9 s.h.)

c. The doctoral dissertation counts for 12 s.h.

2. Regular MRT Course Offerings (in addition to seminars)

Modern Religious Thought: Romanticism to Existentialism
Ethics and Modern Religious Thought
History of Religious Ethics
Islamic Ethics and Political Thought

3. Language Requirements

Ordinarily students are expected to demonstrate language competence in German and French. The research of some students will require substitutions or additions of Arabic, Latin, Spanish, or other languages.

4. The Comprehensive Examination

The procedure for preparing for the comprehensive exam in Modern Religious Thought is specified in the document, “Preparing for the Comprehensive Examination in Modern Religious Thought,” which is available from the area faculty or by clicking here.

The written component consists of five exam periods (3 ½ hours each) devoted to five major themes in the study of theology, philosophy, ethics, and culture. The oral component consists of a two-hour defense of the written exam.

The student’s comprehensive exam committee ordinarily includes the four area faculty plus an additional faculty member.

Within six months following successful completion of the comprehensive examination, students must submit a dissertation prospectus for approval of their adviser and committee. Click here for a Guide to Writing a Dissertation Prospectus.

5. Area Faculty

Diana Fritz Cates
David E. Klemm
Howard B. Rhodes
Ahmed Souaiaia

Other Areas of Concentration

Religion and Culture in Asia

Historical Religious Traditions

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For More Information

Admission and Financial Aid

Graduate College Admissions
Review the University of Iowa Graduate College web site.

Graduate Student Organization
Review the RGSO web site.

General inquiries about the Department of Religious Studies:
319-335-2164 [telephone]
319-335-3716 [fax]
religion@uiowa.edu

More specific inquiries about graduate study:
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Religious Studies

Revised 3/8/06