|
DOCTOR
OF THEOLOGY
Purpose
The Doctor of Theology program has the following
purpose:
1. To promote theological research and reflection;
2. To encourage faculty development and academic
careers in theological education;
3. To promote theological dialogue with societies
and cultures and religions in Asia.
These goals are to be achieved within the
general framework of the “Guidelines for Doing Theologies
in Asia” [GDTA].
The Doctor of Theology studies program of
the SEAGST is primarily aimed at encouraging faculty development
but not restricted to the member schools. Sponsorship from
member schools is advised for those who are members of the
faculty. However, the SEAGST welcomes candidates who are interested
in pursuing the academic study of Theology yet are not committed
to the teaching ministry with the aim of encouraging the growth
of critical theological thinking in Asia.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission must hold the SEAGST
M.Theol. degree or an equivalent degree.
Students are admitted into the program with
the understanding that their doctoral study and research objective
shall be informed by the contextual realities and priorities
of Asia.
Application
Application forms for admission can be obtained
from any of the following:
1. ATESEA website;
2. Area Dean;
3. Office of the Dean of the South East Asia
Graduate School of Theology, P.O. Box 3167 Manila 1099, Philippines;
4. Office of the Associate Dean, The SEAGST,
Chang Jung Christian University, 396 Chang Jung Road, Kway
Jen, Tainan, Taiwan.
Applications for admission are to be sent
to the Office of the Dean/Associate Dean of the SEAGST through
the Area Dean.
The Senate acts on applications for admission
upon the recommendation of the Doctoral Studies Committee,
which is composed of the Dean and Associate Dean of the Graduate
School and the seven Area Deans.
The deadline of submission of applications
will be either on November 1 for those who would like to begin
the program in January or April 1 for those who would like
to begin the program in June.
The completed application must be submitted
in duplicate and should include:
1. Two copies of the official transcript of
grades for post graduate study from the institution where
the applicant did their post graduate work (if not taken in
the SEAGST M.Theol. Program);
2. Two recent passport–size photographs;
3. ** Three letters of recommendation: the
first from the institution where the candidate is currently
employed or from the institution where the candidate did their
post-graduate study; the second from the educational institution
where the candidate obtained her/his post-graduate degree;
and the third from an ecclesiastical official if the candidate
is related to a church;
4. A copy of a recent and complete physical
examination (including chest X-ray result).
5. **A certificate of English language competency;
If the candidate wishes to enrol in a primarily
non-English speaking institution the required score on an
English Competency Exam is: TOEFL – 500 (computer based,
173); IELTS – 5.0;
If the candidate wishes to enrol in a primarily English speaking
institution the required score on an English Competency Exam
is: TOEFL – 600 (computer based, 250); IELTS –
7.5-8.0;
6. A letter of intention of study of not less than 1,500 words;
7. A study proposal for the intended research
of not less than 5000 words;
**
8. An application fee of US$ 30 or its equivalent
in local currency if the applicant comes from the Area in
which they want to study or an application fee of US$ 50 if
the applicant wishes to study in another Area of the SEAGST.
Enrolment
The Doctoral Studies Committee appoints an
advisory committee of at least three members for each candidate
and periodically reviews the progress of the candidate on
the basis of reports from the advisory committee. The local
advisory committee is responsible for designing a program
of study for the candidates in their field of study. It supervises
the students’ work and submits periodic reports to the
Doctoral Studies Committee through the Dean/Associate Dean
and upon the recommendation of the Area Dean.
** The students shall be registered in the
SEAGST on forms supplied by the Dean/Associate Dean’s
office. One copy of the registration form will be sent to
the Dean/Associate Dean, one copy will be filed by the Area
Dean/Registrar and one copy will be retained by the school
where the students are in residence. Their academic record
will be kept by the Area Registrar on forms supplied by the
SEAGST Dean/Associate Dean’s office. Note: Grades are
to be recorded at the end of each semester by the Area Registrars,
and the Registrars are to submit to the Dean/Associate Dean’s
office in August of each year full transcripts of grades for
all graduate students in their respective Areas.
Program of Study
The D. Theol. study program is designed to
ensure that the candidates acquire tools for scholarly competence
in their field, have exposure in the depth and breadth of
the basic literature of the field, and develop a working knowledge
of the histories and cultures of Asia.
Methodology Seminar
All candidates are required to attend a four-week
methodology seminar to be organized by the office of the Dean/
Associate Dean during the initial year of their program.
The Methodology seminar will be organized
with a combination of integrated seminars, lectures, course
work, library orientations and selected research. These seminars,
while introducing the various methodological issues in theological
research, will attempt to provide an interdisciplinary approach
in academic pursuit. The “Guidelines for Doing Theologies
in Asia” approved by the SEAGST will provide the basic
framework for developing the various methodological tools.
Required Courses
To qualify to appear for the comprehensive
examination, a candidate is expected to successfully complete
eight courses. The methodology course offered by the SEAGST
for the whole region will be counted as two courses, and among
the remaining six courses, four courses will be in the area
of concentration and two courses will be from other fields
of study to ensure an inter-disciplinary approach to theological
studies.
A student should spend a minimum of 20 contact
hours with the instructor for each course and the course may
be organized in the form of seminars. For each course, a careful
study of at least fifteen books is expected. A term paper
of no less than 8,000 words and at least one book review are
part of the fulfilment of this course.
For the fields of study and the requirements
the Candidates may refer to the M.Theol. areas of concentration)
I. Bible and Interpretations
Prerequisites: Knowledge of the respective
language within the area of concentration of the candidate
is required. For example, if the candidate is working in the
area of Old Testament, knowledge of Biblical Hebrew for exegesis
and a working knowledge of New Testament Greek are required.
If the candidate is working in the area of New Testament,
knowledge of New Testament Greek sufficient for exegesis and
a working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew are required. For a
candidate pursuing a comparative study of a text from Old
Testament and a text from an Asian religion, the requirements
are the knowledge both of Hebrew and the respective language
in which the scripture/text of that religion is written.
Required Courses:
1. Seminar on Methodology (offered at the
regional level)
2. Four courses in the area of concentration.
The courses shall be designed by the student in consultation
with the Advisory Committee whose members are appointed by
the Doctoral Study Committee. Courses should be designed in
a way to introduce a candidate to various critical methodologies
in the respective area of study
3. Two courses from two different fields
II. Theological Constructions in Asia
Required Courses:
1. Seminar on Methodology (offered at the
regional level)
2. Four courses in the area of concentration.
The courses shall be designed by the student in consultation
with the Advisory Committee whose members are appointed by
the Doctoral Study Committee. Courses should be designed in
a way to introduce a candidate to various critical methodologies
in the respective area of study
3. Two courses from two different fields
III. Religion, Culture and Life of the Church
Required Courses:
1. Seminar on Methodology (offered at the
regional level)
2. Four courses in the area of concentration.
The courses shall be designed by the student in consultation
with the Advisory Committee whose members are appointed by
the Doctoral Study Committee. Courses should be designed in
a way to introduce a candidate to various critical methodologies
in the respective area of study
3. Two courses from two different fields
IV. Gender and Marginalized Concerns
Required courses
1. Seminar on Methodology (offered at the
regional level)
2. Four courses in the area of concentration.
** The courses shall be designed by the student in consultation
with the Advisory Committee whose members are appointed by
the Doctoral Study Committee. Courses should be designed in
a way to introduce a candidate to various critical methodologies
in the respective area of study Two courses from two different
fields
3. Two courses from two different fields
Study Outside the Region
Programs of individual candidates in some
fields may require study outside the region. In such cases
the Graduate School will negotiate with particular institutions
enlisting their cooperation, and will receive certification
of the candidates’ performance from them. In no case
will the candidates be permitted to enrol as a degree candidate
in any other institution while enrolled in the Graduate School.
A major part of the candidates’ research and the writing
of their dissertation must be done in the region under the
supervision of the Advisory Committee.
Time Limitation
This study program is designed for completion
within a minimum of three (3) years and a maximum of six (6)
years. A student may apply for a one (1) year extension which
can be granted by action of the Senate.
**Evaluation of Work
Evaluation of work will be on the following
basis:
A
Excellent or honours
B
Good
F
Fail
An average grade of B is required for all
courses.
The Local Advisor, together with the Advisory
Committee responsible for the candidate's research, will evaluate
the work done and assess the candidate's readiness for the
Comprehensives Examinations.
** Recording of Grades
Grades for work in areas of concentration,
general examination, and individual research/thesis will be
recorded by the Area Registrar in the candidates’ individual
record and a copy sent to the office Dean/Associate Dean of
the Graduate School.
Candidates for the D.Theol. who believe that
their grade in a permanent academic record of a particular
course does not fairly reflect the work done in that course,
may appeal to the Area Dean to have that work re-evaluated.
The Area Dean may himself/herself reject the appeal if no
injustice has been done. If he/she is uncertain or prefers
not to take this course, he/she shall appoint two other qualified
persons and request them and the examining professor each
to evaluate him/her and send the evaluation directly to the
Area Dean. The Area Dean shall then assign a grade in accordance
with the majority decision and this grade shall be final.
Comprehensive Examination
Comprehensive Examinations will be set after
the completion of the course work at a time mutually acceptable
to the Local Advisor, the Dean/Associate Dean, and the candidates.
Each candidate should complete three examinations in three
areas of study. These examinations will help to evaluate the
candidates’ general competence as a doctoral-level scholar
in their chosen field, and their ability to engage in theological
reflection against the historical and cultural background
of Asia. These examinations will pre-suppose some graduate
level biblical studies by all candidates, as well as an understanding
of contemporary Asia.
Evaluation of the Comprehensive Examination
The SEAGST Dean/Associate Dean, in consultation
with the Area Dean, shall arrange the date of the Comprehensive
Examination.
Three examiners will read the Comprehensive
Examinations: The local advisor, an examiner from the SEAGST,
and an external examiner named by the SEAGST Dean/Associate
Dean. Examiners will send their evaluation directly to the
SEAGST Dean/Associate Dean who will communicate the result
to the candidate.
An average grade of B is required for all
comprehensive examinations. In the event that a candidate
does not achieve the required grade for the Comprehensive
Examinations, the SEAGST Dean/Associate Dean will consult
the Doctoral Studies Committee for one re-take of examination
of the failed subject at an appropriate time.
Dissertation
A dissertation, representing original research
in their field, will be required of all candidates. A working
bibliography must be submitted to the advisory committee for
approval of the dissertation proposal. The dissertation may
be written in English (to conform to the format in The Manual
for Dissertation Writing of the South East Asia Graduate School
of Theology) or in another language of South East Asia for
which competent evaluators are available. An abstract of approximately
600 words in English and curriculum vitae of the candidates
shall be included. Copies of the abstract should be sent to
the regional seminaries and the Asia Journal of Theology.
The dissertation shall be read and approved by the local advisor
and two other readers appointed by the Doctoral Studies Committee.
A grade of B is required for the dissertation.
When the doctoral candidate's Advisory Committee
members are satisfied with the dissertation, the candidates
must submit 2 copies to the Dean/Associate Dean’s office.
On receipt of the external examiner’s
assessment (with or without recommendations for revision),
the Dean/Associate Dean, in consultation with the Area Dean,
will then arrange for the Oral Examinations.
After the Oral Examinations, the candidates
should submit a clean, hard-bound copy each to:
THE SEAGST Dean/Associate Dean’s office;
Area Dean’s Office, and
Candidate’s seminary or place where their work was done.
Upon completion of all the requirements, the
Dean/Associate Dean will arrange for the graduation service
to take place at either the candidate’s seminary (as
part of seminary’s graduation service) or at the ATESEA’
s Annual Meetings/Assembly.
Awarding of the Degree
When the Advisory Committee is satisfied that
the candidate has completed all the required work for the
degree of Doctor of Theology, it shall report this fact to
the Senate through the Doctoral Studies Committee, and the
senate, shall in turn recommend the award of the degree of
the Board of Governors. The Dean/Associate Dean or his/her
designated representative shall confer the degree. The diploma
shall carry the words “conferred by the South East Asia
Graduate School of Theology”.
FEES, OTHER EXPENSES, AND SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE
Fees:
1. Application fee (from within the region):
US$30
2. Application fee (from outside the region):
US$50
3. Room and board fee, at the rate charged
by the school of study.
4. Tuition and other school fees at the rate
charged by the school of study.
5. Medical care fee at the rate charged by
the school of study.
6. Graduation Fee: US$40
Other Expenses:
1. Book purchases of US$150.
2. Pocket money, as estimated by the school
of study.
3. Travel to the school of study and return.
4. Board and lodging expense during vacation
periods.
5. Travel related to study.
6. Family support.
7. Special expenses.
Scholarships
It is expected that member schools will partly
support their sponsored candidate. A few scholarships are
available and deserving candidates may apply to the Dean/Associate
Dean of Graduate School of Theology for the award upon the
recommendation of the Area Dean.
RESEACH PROGRAM
Two of the stated goals of the SEAGST read
as follows:
1. To assist in the intellectual and spiritual
development of Asian theologians so that their Christian ministry
will be enriched and be more effective;
2. To contribute to the emergence of a contextual
and Asian oriented theology by providing the facilities and
opportunities for research into, and reflection upon, the
Christian faith as it relates to the non-Christian religions,
cultures and traditions of Asia, and to contemporary Asia
society and its problems.
In seeking to realize these goals, SEAGST
has so far conducted degree programs consisting of the Master
of Theology degree, and the Doctor of Theology degree. The
purpose of the Master of Theology program is to provide specialized
training in any field or leadership in the Christian ministry
– in the professional pastoral ministry or in theological
research and teaching. The Doctoral Studies Program is specifically
geared towards the promotion of theological research and reflection
in dialogue with societies, cultures and religions in Asia.
This purpose is to be achieved within the general framework
of the Guidelines for Doing Theologies in Asia.
The degree programs entail research and reflection
by candidates. The research is therefore degree-oriented,
i.e. it seeks to fulfil the requirements of the degree. It
now seems both timely and necessary to under gird and supplements
the degree program of the Graduate School and the research
taking place within this degree program with the research
and development program undertaken by the SEAGST faculty members
or teams of the SEAGST faculty members. **
Purpose
1. A major purpose of the program is precisely
to be a means for realizing the goals of the SEAGST quoted
above, one of which calls for the provision of “facilities
and opportunities fro research into, and reflection upon,
the Christian Faith as it relates to the non-Christian religions,
cultures and traditions of Asia, and to contemporary Asian
society and its problems”.
2. Identify the major theological issues arising
out of the variety of contexts and situations in Asia;
3. Encourage constructive theological reflection
in relation to these characteristically Asian theological
issues;
4. Produce theological writings, which will
be used as source-material for teaching and to promote contextual
theological construction;
5. Provide opportunity for theological scholars
to engage in research and reflection both individually and
corporately and thus develop a community of scholars addressing
themselves constructively to the prospects and problems of
theology and theological education in Asia.
Rationale of the Program
The rationale of the program is to be found
in the Guidelines for Doing Theologies in Asia, which indicates
the general framework for the operation of the SEAGST. The
Guidelines for Doing Theologies in Asia seeks to identify
what is distinctively or characteristically Asian, both in
terms of what is generally common, and peculiarly different,
within the region, and use this distinctiveness as a critical
principle of judgment on matters dealing with the theological
task and theological education. As such the Guidelines for
Doing Theologies in Asia is a theological perspective which
entails a stance and a method. The stance has two basic commitments:
a commitment to Asian life situations as the context of doing
theology, and a commitment to the biblical and Christian traditions.
The interaction between these two commitments ought to generate
the process of theological research and reflection which is
distinctively Asian. The method must facilitate this dynamic
interaction between the two commitments in the stance. To
do so it must be a method which:
1. Takes Asian life situations seriously;
2. Identifies the theological issues implicit
in or raised by those life situations;
3. Re-examines the Christian tradition and
other religious traditions in Asia in the light of these situations
and issues.
4. States the Christian Faith in a way that
illuminates and transforms human experience in Asia which
forms expressive of the vision of Jesus Christ in the Reign
of God.
From here it can be seen that the application
of the Guideline for Doing Contextual Theologies in Asia as
a theological perspective requires among other things:
1. Knowing and understanding as adequately
as possible the variety and concreteness of human life-situations
in Asia.
2. Discerning and articulating the theological
issues implicit in or raised by these situations.
Both these requirements cannot be met without
research. Of course, many other **? are already engaged in
investigating many aspects of the Asian situation. Much material
embodying the results of their investigations has already
been published. But still there are a variety of problems
and issues that are specifically the concern of theological
reflection and education. With this objective the SEAGST is
committed to promoting research and creating new discourses
in the construction of Asian Theologies ** through the SEAGST
Research Program.
Implementation and Administration
The Area Committees of the SEAGST under the
authority of the Senate and Dean/Associate Dean are responsible
for administering the research program.
1. They shall, with the SEAGST Dean/Associate
Dean, promote the program in their areas by encouraging individual
scholars or teams of scholars to do research including the
formation of faculty teams;
2. They shall process research proposals for
presentation to the Senate through the SEAGST Dean/Associate
Dean;
3. They shall exercise general supervision
in the implementation of research projects.
**Application
The research program can be carried out either
by individual scholars or by research teams who can make application
for their research and for funding to the Senate through the
SEAGST Dean/Associate Dean. A research proposal coming from
either an individual or a team should:
1. Indicate these issues or areas of concern,
which are to be investigated or researched;
2. Draw up research plans or designs;
3. Enlist persons or groups to carry out the
research;
4. Prepare cost estimates.
Guidelines
1. The project should be in line with the
Guidelines For Doing Theologies in Asia;
2. The project should serve the improvement
of teaching;
3. Priority should be given to a project pursued
for the benefit of and in the South East Asia region.
Funding
A. Subsidies
1. Subsidies will be given toward meeting
the costs of transportation, medical insurance, board and
lodging, and material necessary for research and publication;
2. The subsidy should not exceed US$2,000
for individual research within the region (US$3,000 outside
the region), and US$5,000 for team research.
B. Categories of Funding
· Special lecture tours;?
· Special writing projects;
· Group research, intra- or inter-Asia.
C. Procedure for Funding Requests
1. Application for funding should be made
through the Area Committee concerned for presentation to the
Senate by the Dean/Associate Dean. In the case of an inter-Area
research project, the application should be made to the Dean/Associate
Dean directly.
2. The application should include the following
items:
a. A full description of the project and its
rationale;
b. Budget and resources already available;
c. Projected duration of the project;
d. Amount of funding requested.
D. Release of Funds
The funds will be released in two instalments.
A progress report is required for the release of the second
instalment.
|