By Haralambos Ventis and Evi Voulgaraki
Already in its second year of operation, a graduate program in Philosophy of Religion and Missiology, unique in the Orthodox world, is offered in Greek at the NKUA.
The program leads to the degree of Master of Arts, in Religious Studies
Area of Study: “Philosophy of Religion and Missiology”
Program Structure
| 1st Semester | |
Introduction to Research Methodology (Theory and Application) PREREQUISITE E. Voulgaraki | Theory and application of scholarly research. Introduction to methodological principles. Fundamental Guidelines of academic writing. |
God of the Philosophers H. Ventis | The course examines the various perceptions of God as shaped by philosophical thought. It emphasizes classical Greek philosophy and modern philosophy since early modernity. |
Patristics and Mission E. Voulgaraki | The course attempts an in-depth exploration of the Orthodox understanding of mission, in its multilayered conceptions as envisioned and implemented by the Church Fathers. |
| 2nd Semester | |
Anthropology of Religion H. Ventis | This course focuses on numerous religious perceptions of the human condition with an emphasis on the Christian worldview. |
Orthodoxy in Africa E. Voulgaraki | The course reviews the presence of Orthodox Christianity in Africa in the 20th and 21st centuries, for the purpose of familiarizing students with the local Churches. The historical presence of Christianity in the African continent is also explored, alongside issues arising from Africa’s encounter with different versions of Christianity and challenges at the crossroads of cultures. |
Contemporary Theory of Knowledge H. Ventis | The course reviews various post-kantian epistemological trends with a major impact on both science and philosophy, over the question of truth. |
| 3rd Semester | |
Religion, Law and Political Philosophy H. Ventis | The course examines contemporary theories of Justice and Ethics, focusing on such issues as the just state, liberal democracy and the new left, against the backdrop of religious faith. |
Witness (Martyria), Diaconia and Politics. E. Voulgaraki | Mission always occurs in specific historical conditions. What is the relationship between witness and diaconia, Church and power, mission and money? Taking into account specific historical cases, the course will seek to propose a theory and methodology of mission in relation to politics, in the context of contemporary global reality, beyond the structures and traditions of the Western world. |
Identity and Otherness in a Theological Context H. Ventis | E. Voulgaraki | The course focuses on the dynamics of religious identity in view of the identity of the Other (otherness) from the perspective of Philosophy of Religion, Missiological Theology, Dialogue and the self-awareness of Religions. The course prioritizes contemporary concerns. |
| 4th Semester | |
Master’s Thesis | |
Program Regulation: http://mareligion.soctheol.uoa.gr/studies.html
