Courses & Learning
Taught Courses
Postgraduate Certificate Quaker Studies
The purpose of the Postgraduate Certificate is to give students a foundation in Quaker Studies and an awareness of Quakerism worldwide. The Postgraduate Certificate is particularly suitable for students who are not yet sure how much commitment they want to make, and/or who prefer learning in a group environment through taught modules.
The Postgraduate Certificate (3 months full-time, 6 month part-time) involves taking modules in Quaker Studies to the value of 40 credits and a 20 credit module from another programme in the University, usually in the Graduate Institute. However, this third module could also be ‘Quaker Research Methods’ and this would be a requirement should the student wish to transfer to M.Phil (B).
The CPQS modules are listed below. Not all modules run in all years. There are over fifty other modules to choose from elsewhere in the Graduate Institute (although not all run each year). Current options include modules in the areas of Christian History, Biblical Languages, Black Theology, Third World Theologies, Interfaith Relations, Missiology, Pastoral Studies, Islamic Studies, Sikh Studies, Pentecostal Studies, and Systematic Theology. Outside of the Graduate Institute, Quaker Studies students might like to consider modules in History, American Studies, Literary Studies, or, e.g. human rights in the new Centre for Global Ethics, although we cannot guarantee these will always be available.
A 20 credit module usually consists of a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar per week over ten weeks. Assessment for the modules is by essay, usually one essay of 4000 words per 20 credits.
It is possible to complete the Certificate one year and/or transfer to the M.Phil (B) for the second year.
Taught Modules offered by the Centre for Postgraduate Quaker Studies
The History of Quaker Theology (20 credits)
The course charts the changing nature of Quaker theology across three centuries and five continents/ six traditions. The focus is on the history and content of different theological positions, their identification and location within the wider religious and historical picture. The conceptualisation of British Quakerism into seven distinct theological periods is used as a basis to explore additionally how most of the thinking of these stages remains normative for one group or another of Friends worldwide today. The teaching focuses on the theology of these groups rather than on noteworthy lives of Quakers. The way in which different theologies have different consequences for relationships between Quakers and ‘the world’ is also explored. Seminar work includes the opportunity to take key theological concepts such as authority, salvation, perfection, eschatology, and to look at them within a single period, or across time and traditions. This course is taught by Ben Pink Dandelion and runs in the Autumn Term, Thursdays,11am – 1pm.
Issues in Contemporary Quakerism (20 credits)
The course evaluates and analyses issues in contemporary Quakerism. There is a particular focus on how the patterns of believing and belonging within the Liberal Quaker tradition differs from sociological analysis of more mainstream Christian groups. Relationships between different Quaker traditions are explored within a framework of wider cultural and theological difference. In seminars, students focus on one or more of a wide range of issues as a case study to contrast present-day Quakerism with the wider religious world. Topics include priesthood, ‘the hedge’, formal membership, outward sacraments, the place of language, and Quaker belief today. There is an introduction to the challenges of conducting research within a separated and partially-closed group, to complement research methodology courses. This course is taught by Ben Pink Dandelion and runs in the Spring Term, Thursdays,11am – 1pm.
Research Methods (20 credits)
This module is run by CPQS for Quaker Studies and other Theology and Religion students. It prepares students to plan and execute a research design appropriate to their topic and discipline, to understand debates within the field of research methodology, and to engage in critical reflection on the methods used. Topics include: The Nature of Quaker Studies; Framing a Research Proposal; The Use of Evidence and Referencing; Archival Research and Sources; Insider/Outsider Research; Participant Observation; Survey Design; Reflexivity and Interviewing; Data Management and Writing Research. Assessment is by a 4000 word research proposal. This course is taught by Ben Pink Dandelion, Rosemary Moore, Edwina Newman and Pam Lunn, and runs in the Autumn Term, Thursdays, 2 – 4pm.
CPQS modules are taught on the same day of the week to help those who are in work or travelling from a distance. The timetabling of modules elsewhere in the University is up to the Lecturers involved.
