LICENTIATE IN THEOLOGY (LTh)

LTh Director: Dr. Jose Kizhakkekuttu, CMI

Email:  josekzh@yahoo.co.in

1. Introduction: The two-year (four semesters) Licentiate in Theology, offered at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, gives the students opportunities to specialize in a particular area of theology, while, at the same time, it aims at providing a comprehensive and contemporary synthesis of various theological disciplines. In accordance with the objectives and the on-going dimension of theologizing in the Indian context, Eastern and Indian inspirations, Religious Pluralism, Oriental Churches, new trends in theological discussions and contemporary thinking on the theology of mission, current issues in Moral Theology shape the LTh Programme offered at DVK.

2. Objectives: The goal of the LTh Programme is to train the students in scientific research and to prepare them to give theological courses in seminaries and in centres of higher religious education and also to perform functions that demand higher theological competence. The LTh programme consists, therefore, of lectures, tutorial courses, seminars, written assignments, practical exercises and a scientifically prepared thesis. It offers the students ample opportunities for private study and personal work under the guidance of competent teachers and also personal training for self-expression. The Licentiate in Theology that is granted at the end of the successful completion of this programme qualifies the students for admission to Doctorate in Theology in all Ecclesiastical Faculties of Theology all over the world.

3. The Programme:

1. Fourteen Principal Courses (may vary according to the specialization) (14 x 2 = 28)
2. Four Common Courses (4 x 2 = 8)
3. Two Seminars (2 x 2 = 4)
4. Two Tutorials (2 x 2 = 4)
5. One Field Study (3)
6. One Research Paper (3)
7. Thesis and Defence (5)
8. Comprehensive Viva Voce Examination

4. Areas of Specialization: There are FIVE major areas of specialization currently available at DVK:

1. Biblical Theology
2. Systematic Theology
3. Moral Theology
4. Eastern theology
5. Missiology.

Accordingly, courses will be offered in the areas of specialization.

5. Board of Postgraduate Studies (BPS) and LTh Programme Director

1. There is a Board of Postgraduate Studies consisting of Dean (ex-officio) and three teachers elected by the Theology Faculty Council for a term of three years. The Dean is the Chairperson of this Board. This Board elects one of them as LTh Programme Director who is directly in charge of the whole LTh Programme.
2. The Programme Director submits to the Board for approval of the scheme of the courses and the names of the teachers. He prepares the time table of the LTh classes and sees to the efficient conducting of the courses.
3. The Programme Director periodically meets the students individually and in common to discuss matters concerning their studies.
4. In the session for the finalization of the LTh marks the Programme Director is to be included.
5. The DVK office regularly informs the director concerning registrations, marks, as well as other relevant matters.
6. The BPS takes care of the overall organization, supervision and evaluation of the entire programme.

6. Requirements for Admission: For admission to the LTh programme the applicant should have a degree of Bachelor of Theology with overall high second class and first class in the area of specialization. An applicant who has successfully completed theological studies in institutes other than Catholic seminaries and has secured at least a high second class in the examinations will be permitted to sit for a qualifying examination, the modality of which is decided by the BPS. An additional semester may also be insisted upon. All applicants must be below forty years of age.

7. Registration

1. Registration for the LTh programme can be done at the beginning of first semester. Each student shall specify his/her area of specialization before the course begins.
2. In organizing and conducting their studies the students shall consult the LTh Programme Director.
3. There shall be a record book in which the names of the courses, teachers, attendance, marks, etc. are to be recorded. At the end of each semester, it has to be handed over to the DVK office.

8. Examination

1. At the end of each semester, there shall be written examinations in the courses that have been completed during that semester.
2. The Comprehensive Viva Voce examination based on principal courses, optional courses and the Research Paper is held in the fourth semester. Moreover, at the end of each semester, there shall be examinations in the courses that have been completed during that semester.
3. Except for tutorials and seminars, the evaluation shall be a written examination of 90 minutes or a viva examination for about 20 minutes.

9. Tutorials: The primary aim of the tutorials is academic formation. Emphasis is laid on personal work, originality and the ability to grasp ideas. The tutorials are to be conducted as follows: The student shall select the tutor (namely, the professor who will direct the tutorial) and the theme of the tutorial with the approval of the LTh programme Director. Reading assignments are given by the tutor in advance to the student, and, in due course, meetings are held between the student and the tutor and written papers may also be assigned. A total of two or three 60-minute meetings is required for each course; a report and evaluation of each course are to be given by the tutor to the LTh Programme Director. The results of the evaluation are submitted by the Programme Director to the Controller of Examinations. A student may take only one tutorial course in a semester with any particular professor.

10. Seminars: The seminars should be common for all in which inter-departmental themes are assigned. It shall be the forum for the LTh students to come together for exchange of ideas and discussion on relevant theological and related topics. When assessing the seminars, the following points will be taken into account: (a) attendance, (b) participation, and (c) performance.

11. Research Paper: Each student should prepare a Research Paper in the area of his/her specialization, as background study in view of the thesis, but not directly related to the topic of the thesis. The paper shall have a weight age of 60 marks (like a regular course). The topic as well as director shall be approved by the BPS and the length of the Research paper shall be 7000-8000 words. The Research Paper is to be submitted to the LTh Programme Director by the end of the second semester. There should be double evaluation of it and the marks along with comments are to be handed over to the LTh Programme Director.

12. Thesis: Registration for the thesis shall be at the beginning of the third semester of the LTh course. The student selects the topic for his/her thesis with the approval of the LTh programme director. The BPS gives a panel of two or three guides from whom the student can select one as the guide of the thesis. A scheme of the thesis (minimum 300 words, 1.5 line spacing) has to be submitted to the board for approval. The scheme shall include the relevance of the theme, sources, methodology, titles and an outline of chapters, and bibliography. The length of the Thesis paper shall be 45,000 to 50,000 words (around 100 pages, 1.5 line spacing). The thesis should be submitted towards the end of the fourth semester. It should be typewritten. The methodology prescribed by the DVK must be followed. Before submitting for the defence, the thesis in its final draft must be examined by a reader appointed by the LTh Programme Director. The corrections and suggestions of the reader have to be incorporated in the final form of the thesis. Four bound copies of the thesis and a soft copy are to be submitted to the office of the Institute. Examination on the thesis is conducted at the end of the fourth semester in the presence of the three examiners who are appointed by the Controller in consultation with the LTh Programme Director and the Dean. It may take at least one month for the examination on the thesis after it has been submitted. The examination on the thesis shall have the duration of one hour.

13. Marks and Grading System: The grade of the LTh will be determined by calculating the marks according to the following proportions: semestral examinations, Research Paper, Seminars and Tutorials: 60% final Comprehensive Viva voce and Thesis: 40%.

14. Extension: The duration of four semesters (two years) required for LTh programme shall be strictly followed and an extension shall be granted by the Dean in consultation with the BPS. In case a student gets the extension he/she is required to pay full fees for the extended academic year.