The CRCS MA program is focussed on the cross-cultural study of religion as a complex and vital aspect of human experience in all its diversity and as a vital social identity in the context of Indonesia. The academic study of religion is grounded in critical analysis of religious experience, identity, organization, politics, and thought through methods and theories drawn from such academic disciplines as anthropology, sociology, political science, cultural and gender studies, and the field of religious studies. It asks what each of us, with our own religious identities, can learn from each other as together we seek a deeper understanding of each other and work together for a just and peaceful future. Students belonging to faith traditions in Indonesia and the world study and learn about each other from and with faculty and staff who also come from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
This program offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) (S-2). Over four semesters and one inter-session term, students are to earn 44 credits, including writing thesis (8 credits) based on original research. Students are expected to devote 40 hours a week while enrolled at CRCS in order to complete the two-year program in a timely manner.
CURRICULUM
Recognizing the complexity of the study subjects, the RCS developed three study clusters: (a) inter-religious relations; (b) religion, culture and nature; and (c) religion and public life. These areas are reflected in the courses offered as well as directions of its research.
The courses offered by CRCS consist of required and elective courses. Each course has a weigh of 3 credits. Students are required to take 5 required courses (15 credits) and 7 elective courses (21 credits) at a minimum from 11 elective courses (33 credits) that are offered. Besides that, students also required to do research and thesis writing (8 credits) as a final assignment.
Total credits that must be completed by students are 44 credits, consist of 12 courses (36 credits) and thesis (8 credits). That 44 credits could be accomplished within 4 semesters (2 years). The required courses and elective courses could be completed within 2 semesters or within 3 semesters. The fourth semester is specifically for research and thesis writing.
The required courses offered in semester one (1) and two (2) aim to fulfill the realm of knowledge and understanding as well as the intellectual competence of graduates. While elective courses offered in semesters 1, 2 and 3 aim to fulfill graduates’ competencies in the realm of practical skills and managerial abilities.
Students can take elective courses according to their study interests. Besides elective courses offered, students can take elective courses offered in other study programs both within UGM and outside of UGM. The maximum number of elective courses could be taken by students at the outside of the study program is 2 courses (6 credits). Those courses must be in accordance with thesis topic and must obtain approval from the academic supervisor. In determining their grade, students are evaluated not only based on their final assignments but also on their weekly assignments (response papers).`
In the first semester, the program is formulated to introduce the basics of religious studies with scientific principles. Various religions are introduced, then interdisciplinary approach related to religious studies are provided. Theories about religion and culture are also taught. A variety of required and optional reading materials are provided in each course. Each lecturer gives lecture assignments such as weekly responses and presentations regarding the reading material provided and the final project.
In the second semester, students are thought advanced knowledge about main issues in the study of Religion and Cross-culture. In this semester, the research methodology course is given with the aim that students start thinking about research topics. The final task of the research methodology is a thesis proposal.
In the third semester, in addition to taking elective courses, for those who have not yet completed the minimum number of weights (36 credits) in the second semester, students will attend a thesis proposal seminar. After participating in a thesis proposal seminar, students can start thesis research accompanied by a supervisor lectured assigned in the decree of Graduate School.
In the fourth semester, students will focus on research and thesis writing according to their study interests in religious and cultural studies. Student theses reflect mastery of lecture and scientific materials in religious and cultural studies.
OUTPUT
Behavior:
- Students are able to demonstrate critical and open attitudes towards interdisciplinary studies and socio-cultural and religious issues.
- Students are able to demonstrate their engagements in the establishment of a dialogue, inclusive, just and sustainable society
Mastery of knowledge:
- Students are able to analyze theories and methods in religious studies with an interdisciplinary approach
- Students are able to analyze religious complexities: belief systems, practices, organizations based on perspectives of their adherents, religious transformation, and their relations to other public lives (culture, politics, economics, environment, etc.).
Special Skills:
- Students are able to design researches related to socio-religious issues
- Students are able to organize interfaith dialogues, conflict resolutions, peace buildings and activities of sustainable community development
General Skills:
- Students are able to apply an interdisciplinary approach in the analysis on cultural-religious discourses and realities
- Student are able to communicate scientific findings related to social religious issues through writing and oral communication
DEGREE
Master of Arts – M.A.
LENGTH OF THE OFFERED PROGRAM
Students must complete a minimum of 44 credits for 4 (four) semesters and no later than 6 (six) semesters including a thesis.
SPECIALITY OF CRCS
Up to the moment, CRCS is the only interdisciplinary academic program focusing on religious studies at a non-religiously affiliated university in Indonesia. CRCS is an international study program that uses English as a teaching language. Assignments, final papers at the end of the semester, and the thesis should be written in English. However, students are allowed to write a thesis in Bahasa Indonesia, but they should write a 20-page thesis summary in English. The lecturers come from various universities at home and abroad. Regularly, CRCS has received prominence guest lecturers and professors from various universities around the world and also become a destination for international student exchange.
In CRCS, students come from diverse religions, ethnicities, countries, and cultural backgrounds. They study and learn from one another about their religion and other people’s religions. The students learn side by side in class with the faculty members that also come from diverse backgrounds. This diversity enriches and nurtures the students and lecturers in viewing the diversity itself.
Every year, 3 to 5 students win research grants such as from the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore. Also they have chances to participate in various international conferences in various countries.
CAREER PROSPECTS
- Lecturers in various public and private universities
- Researchers in various government and private institutions
- Teachers at various levels of education at schools
- NGO activists
- Authors
- Staff members in various institutions
ENGLISH SUPPORT
English is the language of instruction at CRCS. Before beginning the MA program, students are required to complete a one-month Intensive English course. In addition, CRCS provides non-credit Academic English equivalent to 3 credits each semester as well as writing consultation. CRCS has been supported through cooperation between UGM and Oberlin Shansi of Oberlin College (Ohio, U.S.A.) which provides two native English instructors each year.
FACILITIES
- Classrooms with audiovisual capabilities.
- International and national workshops.
- Research seminars and conferences.
- Free Internet access throughout.
- Specialized religious studies library, developed by CRCS and ICRS
LIBRARY
The joint CRCS-ICRS Library is transitioning to become more integrated with the Gadjah Mada University library system, although it continues to be adminstered separately.
Our library provides students and faculty access to around ten thousand books on themes and fields related to religious and cross-cultural studies including anthropology, sociology, psychology, theology, and world and Indonesian history, reflecting CRCS’s three areas of study. Most of the collections has been purchased to support teaching and research in CRCS’s language of instruction, English. Since the establishment of the PhD program of Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies in 2007, more books have been added in response to the needs of their students and faculty as well. In addition to an extensive collection on world religions and a collection on religion and science given by International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) the library has also received a large Arabic-language collection on Islamic studies from a private institution of Libya. The library also subscribes to international and national periodicals and daily newspapers and maintains a specialized reference collection of dictionaries and encylopedias. A complete collection of student theses can also be read there.
The growth of the library has also been supported by generous individuals, research projects, students’ fees, and funding agencies that include The Asia Foundation (2003-2004), The Templeton Foundation (2003-2005), and NZAID (2008-2009). Research projects by CRCS faculty members have also contributed to the volume of the library collection. Every year, in additions, CRCS and ICRS allocate Rp. 80.000.000,- for library. Many visiting professors and lecturers, mainly from the US, have given their books to the center. We are especially grateful to the eminent historian of Southeast Asia Prof. Anthony Reid who has just made the CRCS-ICRS library the new home for his personal scholarly collection of around 2500 books and journals on various themes mostly in the history of Southeast Asia.
TUITION FEE PER SEMESTER
Registration fee IDR 500,000.
Tuition for CRCS’ Master’s Program is IDR 9,000,000 each semester.
For further inquiry about CRCS, please contact us at crcs@ugm.ac.id.
