Please note that the Graduate Division of Religion will not be accepting applications to the Liturgical Studies Area until the Fall 2011 admissions cycle. The application deadline date for Fall 2011 will be January 1, 2011. The Liturgical Studies Area is in the process of redesigning and expanding the program with increased faculty involvement and additional curriculum offerings. The result will be a much enhanced program and we are excited by the opportunities it will provide for our current and future students.
Prospective students who have a strong interest in one of the other areas of study (Historical Studies, Biblical Studies and Early Christianity, Religion and Society, or Theological and Philosophical Studies) are encouraged to submit an application to that area, and to indicate their interest in pursuing liturgics or homiletics in an interdisciplinary fashion on their Personal Statement. The Admissions Committee will ensure that these applications are reviewed by the Liturgical Studies faculty as well as the faculty of the area of application.
Interested students are invited to be in conversation with our Admissions Office about this program, either by phone (973/408-3311) or by email (gdradm@drew.edu).
Liturgical Studies at Drew draws on an ecumenical faculty for its interdisciplinary approach to the study of liturgy, ritual, music, and homiletics. Rites and ceremonies of the major Christian traditions are studied from the perspectives of theology, history, cultural studies, and aesthetics. The program is ecumenical and pastoral in spirit and treats homiletics and music as disciplines organic to the study of liturgy.
Faculty bring these distinct fields of liturgy, music, and preaching to a common table of ecumenical and interdisciplinary discourse that is grounded in the practice of worship of particular communities. The Area offers a Foundations course in the major methodologies of liturgical studies, and offerings in liturgical theology and history such as “Early Christian Liturgy,” “Liturgical Space,” and “Feminist Studies in Liturgy.” Offerings in Homiletics include “Preaching the Christian year,” “Narrative Preaching,” and “Preaching and Pastoral Care.” Sacred Music courses include the sociological aspects and gender consideration of music making, as well as survey courses on the history of hymnology. Interdisciplinary courses on “Ecumenical Theology and Modern Liturgies” and “Liturgy and Inculturation” offer an examination of the question that culture and other religions pose for the Church’s self-understanding, faith, and mission.
