Theology, Ethics, and Culture includes studies of the theological, philosophical, ethical and aesthetic traditions that continue to inform religious thought and practice. The field is committed to understanding religious reflection and expression historically, critically, and constructively. Whatever focal area students choose to concentrate in, they are expected to take courses in other fields and departments, such as Philosophy, English and the other departments concerned with literature, the arts, and the history of culture and thought. Courses in Philosophy, Government and Foreign Affairs, and in the schools of Law and Business may be appropriate for students whose focus is in Ethics.

Full Program Description

A. Philosophical Theology

Theological and Philosophical Studies aims to train students to understand and contribute, on the one hand, to the interplay of philosophical thought and religious expression, and, on the other hand, to the philosophical and theological analysis of problems raised by the cross-cultural and interdisciplinary study of religion. Courses and comprehensive examinations are offered in the history of theology, in philosophical theology and the philosophy of religion, and in systematic and constructive theology. Normally, students will take courses in each of these areas as well as courses in related fields and other departments.

Comprehensive examinations will be administered in each of these areas and a fourth examination in the materials directly pertinent to the intended topic of dissertation research.

In addition to meeting the general language requirements of competence in French and German, students will be expected to have had, or to take, at least one semester each of college level Latin and Greek.

B. Religious Ethics

This program comprises the study of ethical theory, issues, and methods both within and independent of religious traditions and systems of thought. Copurses and comprehensive examinations are offered in historical and contemporary Christian, Jewish, and Islamic ethics; applied ethics (political, business, or biomedical, including clinical, ethics); and philosophical ethics.

C. Religion and Culture

The program in Religion and Culture encourages students to explore the many ways in which religion and culture mutually engage one another.  Courses are offered in religion and literature (drama, prose fiction, and poetry), religion and the visual arts, religion and culture, theological aesthetics, hermeneutics, and religion and the social sciences.  Candidates who have passed their comprehensive examinations are invited to propose dissertation topics in any of these areas.  Religious Studies works co-operatively with other Departments in the University of Virginia to facilitate research that is at once rigorous and adventurous.