BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, March 3, 2015 (Press Release): The Graduate Theological Union has introduced new degree options in Hindu Studies and Interreligious Studies for its Master of Arts program, and has extended the application deadline through July 1, 2015, for students seeking to enroll in these programs for the Fall 2015 semester.
The Master of Arts with an area of concentration in Hindu Studies will be offered in connection with the GTU’s newly established Hindu Studies Initiative. The primary foci for the program will be the study of Hindu philosophy of religion, theology, art, and sacred texts; Hinduism and world engagement in consideration of its historical and cultural contexts; and the interrelationships of Hinduism with other Indic Dharma faiths–particularly Jainism and Indian Buddhism. In accordance with the interreligious environment of the GTU, the Hindu ethos will be studied in dialogue with other religious traditions, in order to deepen understanding and relationships amongst cultures and faiths while honoring the distinctiveness of each religion. With this new degree option, the GTU becomes one of the first masters programs in North America with a clear focus on Hindu Philosophy of Religion and Theology (which integrates art and music), as well as engaged Hinduism.
GTU will also offer a Certificate in Hindu Studies which can count toward later graduate studies.
The most important Endowed Lectureship of the GTU Berkeley is the Singh Lecture Series in Comparative Religious Thought. It is known as the “Flagship” GTU lecture. This is an annual lecture delivered by an invited eminent scholar. Renowned authors, poets, professors and public intellectuals have given this lecture, which is shared across the academy.
The 2015 GTU “Flagship” lecture will be delivered by a Hindu scholar to promote and announce the groundbreaking Hindu Studies initiative at the GTU, on April 10th, 2015 at the Doug Adams Gallery in Berkeley. Professor Anantanand Rambachan, an expert in Vedanta, and Indian Philosophy of Religion will deliver the GTU 2015 Singh lecture to celebrate the development of the world’s most ancient and vibrant spiritual tradition at the nation’s singular and eminent interreligious graduate university. Seehttp://gtu.edu/events/2015-surjit-singh-lecture for details.