College of Humanities and Education - Graduate School of Religion
About US
Introduction

The Graduate School of Religion at CYCU has focused on the studies of the Christian religion since its establishment in 2000. The concentration in Christian religion must not be regarded as a monopoly over other religions, but as a unique feature of our university. It has also helped to enhance the interaction between the Western and Sino-Christian scholarship. We are convinced that, as part of the histories of global culture, human thoughts and the Church, the Christian religion is not only a religion but also a great human arena in relation to philosophy, politics, art, and other related fields.

The diversity of ideas in modern society signifies the fact that the research of the Christian religion in most universities is considered as a part of general education courses. Owing to this fact, we have the obligation to open dialogues with scholars of Sinology, the humanities and social sciences. However, we must know our own point d’appui and be equipped with the capacity for dialogue before starting the actual dialogue. This is the very aims that we have devoted ourselves to in our School.

The Graduate School of Religion has earned a reputation for setting a high standard in both teaching and research. The faculty has endeavored to develop the study of the Christian religion in two ways: (1) to perpetuate the Christian tradition as our religious heritage; (2) to deepen and broaden Christianity as a cultural theory in the humanities and social sciences. This twofold endeavor is meant to transform Christianity into a source of thought for contemporary Sino-society, so that the “studies of the Christian religion” can become an official department in the Chinese speaking world, and also a field which cannot be overlooked.

Mission

The aim of the Graduate School of Religion is to perpetuate and develop the heritage of Christianity, and make use of this resource to purify souls and thoughts of people in Taiwan. Christianity has existed a long time in the Chinese world. However, finding intellectuals who are willing to devote themselves to perpetuating and developing Christian thought has been very difficult. One of the main reasons is that there are no Christian academic faculties in other universities in Taiwan. Facing the challenges from the intellectual circles of the humanities and social sciences, the purpose in establishing the Graduate School of Religion was to turn Chung Yuan Christian University from a university with Christian features to a university with academic competency in the intellectual circles. Furthermore, we would also like to share the responsibilities of shepherding and purifying minds, a burden which is now only met by the churches in Taiwan. To train researchers in the field of Christian studies, our department offers a wide range of courses, including the philosophy of religion, “Chinesization” of Christian theology, and research on the relationships between Christianity and Chinese culture, history, and art. We have put much effort into building and maintaining a deep and long lasting relationship between teachers and students. We believe teachers learn most by teaching others. Finally, we hope to foster fine communications and connections between churches and religious sects in different religions.

This Graduate School of Religion was set up to perpetuate this Christian heritage, in the hope of turning it into a prevailing trend in Taiwan’s society, making it a resource for the purification of the heart and the rectification of the mind.

The Christian belief was introduced into the Chinese-speaking world a long time ago, but there has been a lack of focused intellectual efforts to make its presence stronger or to develop it and perpetuate it. The reason is that there has been no Christian academic institute in the local university system.

The challenges present in the academic disciplines of the humanities and social sciences has prompted the School of Religion to adopt a new mission; that is to turn the University from being just a Christian university to one that not only can compete in the academia and the intellectual world, but at the same time share with the church the responsibilities of pastoring as well as cleansing the heart, mind, and spirit for salvation. Hence, well-equipped scholars of Christian belief are needed. To cope with this demand, various topics for research are offered, such as the study of the Christian belief as a philosophy, the study of the “Chinesization” of Christian Theology as well as research in the inter-connectiveness between Christianity and Chinese history, culture, and art. It is hoped that through these intellectual pursuits, daily interactions between teachers and students would become a basis for solid relationships whereby teaching and learning would become mutually enhancing. Ultimately this institute would become a bridge connecting all Christian churches or denominations of Christian beliefs for greater unity.

Objectives

  1. Today and Tomorrow
    Ever since its earliest founding days, Chung Yuan Christian University has been staunchly following its motto “Faith in Deeds” (篤信力行) based on the rock solid belief in Jesus Christ. This Graduate School was set up to perpetuate this Christian heritage, in the hope of turning it into a prevailing trend in Taiwan society, making it a resource for the purification of the heart and the rectification of the mind.

    The Christian belief was introduced into the Chinese-speaking world a long time ago, but there has been a lack of focused intellectual efforts to make its presence stronger or to develop it and perpetuate it. The reason is that there has been no Christian academic institute in the local university system.

    The challenges present in the academic disciplines of the Humanities and Social Science has prompted the School of Religion to adopt a new mission; that is to turn the University from being just a Christian university to one that not only can compete in the academia and the intellectual world, but at the same time sharing with the church the responsibilities of pastoring as well as cleansing the heart, mind and spirit for Salvation.

    Hence, well-equipped scholars of Christian belief are needed. To cope with this demand, various topics for research are offered, such as the study of the Christian belief as a philosophy, the study of the “Chinesization” of Christian Theology as well as research in the inter-connectiveness between Christianity and Chinese history, culture, fine arts and art.

    It is hoped that through these intellectual pursuits, daily interactions between teachers and students would become a basis for solid relationships whereby teaching and learning would become mutually enhancing. Ultimately this institute would become a bridge connecting all Christian churches or denominations of Christian beliefs for the great unity.

  2. What Makes Us Unique
    This Institute dedicated to the study of Christianity from an academic perspective, seeks to explore and develop the thoughts and culture unique to Christian belief and apply such precious resources to of contemporary Chinese culture and social studies.

    It seeks also to cultivate for domestic needs research experts, who will contribute to (a) the Philosophical Study of Christianity (b) the promotion of the “Chinesization” of Christian Theology, (c) the endeavor to establish the connectiveness between Christianity and Chinese history, culture, fine arts and art.

    All these would seek to upgrade the quality of the human resources for Christian social welfare.

    To achieve these goals, the Graduate School of Religion has been setting up and developing exclusive research centers for specialized fields or issues of great concern such as Sino-Christian Theology, Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, Christianity and Chinese Culture, Global Christianity…etc.

  3. Our Goals
    1. To cultivate academic research scholars or experts as well as Life Education experts for local needs.
    2. To cultivate experts in the research of local Christianity.
    3. To train professionals so as to promote the standard of local Christian social welfare service, Christian literatures, culture and arts.
    4. To collaborate with Seminaries of Christian Theology or of Christian Spirituality in Taipei Area or in Taoyuan, Xinzhu and Miaoli counties on offering extension programs to train full-time or on-the-job Christian workers.
    5. To set up a PhD program.
    6. To promote international academic exchange by
      1. hosting international academic conferences every year.
      2. developing international academic exchanges.
      3. planning special-topic talk series hosted by internationally renowned scholars.
      4. promoting cross-disciplinary studies of Christianity and Humanities.
      5. establishing international students exchange program.
    7. To promote integration of cross-disciplinary studies by
      1. publishing academic journals or book series
      2. developing and integrating the Christian-related curricula within the University

    promoting the collaboration on cross-disciplinary studies between this Institute and Christian churches or related religious bodies.
  4. Career Prospect
    Graduates are prepared to pursue the careers in the following areas:
    1. Administrators with religious organizations
    2. Teachers of religious education
    3. Full-time pastors
    4. Deacons at churches
    5. Counselors
    6. Pursuing a PhD degree
  5. To hold Theological Conferences, Workshops, Seminars & Speeches.

Future Prospects

  1. To hold occasional international conferences, and to invite renowned scholars to come for short-term lectureships or seminars. So far we have invited Fuk-tsang Ying, Yi Liu, Xianqing Zhang, Jiafeng Liu, Feiya Tao, Sze-kar Wan, Silas Wu, Xi Lian, Philip R Davies, Christiane Tietzm, Miroslav Volf, Graham Ward, Mark Brett, Heiko Schulz, Leo G. Perdue, Robert Jewett, David Clines, Michael Welker, Jürgen Moltmann etc. to our School.
  2. In 2012, to establish research centers that promote both individual faculty scholarship and collaborative multidisciplinary development. The center we have established so far Research Center for Chinese Christianity.
  3. In 2017, the Graduate School of Religion became the Associate Member of Asian Theological Association (ATA). In 2019, we passed the ATA visiting evaluation and became the 11th ATA accredited member in Taiwan. In addition to obtaining a Master of Arts in Religion Studies, the graduates can also apply for a Graduate Diploma in Christian Ministry, which facilitates them in their ministry and services through ATA’s international accreditation.

Graduate

Master of Arts (M. A.) in Religious Studies

Full-Time

  1. 1. Credits for Graduation: 38 (required courses 10 + elective courses 20 + elective graduate general education course 2 + thesis 6)
  2. Students should seek approval from their supervisors concerning what courses to take that would best suit their potential research concerns and ultimately work toward a topic for their MA thesis.
  3. Students are required to participate in at least two academic conferences during the course of their graduate study, and have proof of their attendance.
  4. To obtain the degree the program should be completed in a minimum of 2 years and maximum 4 years.

Part-Time

  1. Credits for Graduation: 38 (required courses 10 + elective courses 22 + thesis 6)
  2. Same requirements as above 2 and 3.
  3. to obtain the degree the program should be completed in a minimum of 2 years and maximum 6 years.

Competence We aim to equip the students with the ability of integrating and responding to contingencies, professional knowledge and creativity and problem-solving ability in the following categories:

  1. The cultivation of elite researchers and teachers in the area of Christian theology in the Chinese Academy of Religious Studies.
  2. The human resources of different cultural perspectives of Christianity in Taiwan.
  3. The faculty of the holistic life and religious education.

General Description The school offers diverse high quality courses in the area of Christian theology, philosophy, religion and counseling. On top of taught courses, the purpose of the requirement of a thesis is to establish and demonstrate the student’s competence in the theological and philosophical disciplines after years of study. In writing a thesis the student is expected (1) to demonstrate critical knowledge of the main scholarly contributions to his/her chosen field, (2) to show that he/she can test critical hypotheses by the methods appropriate to his/her discipline, and (3) to provide a comprehensive and disciplined study of his/her research area which is coherently structured and appropriately argued.
The diverse nationalities, cultures and denominations of students in our school provide an enriching environment in which prior perspectives are challenged and broadened. Although high academic standards are a priority, the school is also committed to helping students grow spiritually.

CURRICULA & CREDITS
Graduate
Courses Required/ Elective Credits
Instructions for Writing Thesis and Research Papers Required Course 1
Seminar on Christianity and Chinese Culture Required Course 3
Biblical Theology Required Course 3
Christian Ethics Required Course 3
Introduction to the Bible Required Course 3
Study of the Fundamental Issues in Theology Required Course 3
Church History Required Course 3
Thesis Required Course 6
FACULTY
CONTACT US
TEL:886-3-2656551
Fax:886-3-2656598