New College Bulletin 2008 Here & Hereafter What happens here? On religion in general, options include ‘Religion in Culture: Key Debates’ and Those who studied here many years ago ‘Anthropological Approaches to the Study would probably be surprised by the variety of Religion’ and on new developments in of subjects now studied, not to mention religion ‘New Age Religion’ and ‘New the diversity in both the student body and Indigenous Religious Movements’. the staff complement. The subject matter of the basic courses may be no surprise, In biblical studies, there are, as one but the topics of the more advanced ones might expect, advanced readings of may be. Here is a sample of the latter that many Hebrew and Greek texts, either are on offer for session 2008-2009. in the original or in English translation; included are the biblical and other texts One’s intellectual world tour of religion contained in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Other has the following possible destinations: options include: ‘Biblical Interpretation’, ‘African Voices in the Study of Religion’, ‘Politics and the Old Testament’, ‘Hebrew ‘Christianity in Asia’, ‘Diversity and Dissent Prophecy’ ‘The Bible and Literature’, ‘Reformation Theology, Protestant and in Indian Religious Traditions’, as well as ‘Women and Religion in the New Catholic’ obviously spans history and broader studies of Non-Western Testament’. theology – which brings us to theology Christianity, of Buddhism and of Hindu and ethics, where the special topics myths, cults, rituals and texts. ‘Acts and Early Christianity’ clearly spans include: ‘Science and Christian Theology: biblical and historical study – which brings Historical and Theological Perspectives’, Jewish Studies include ‘The Jew in the us to ecclesiastical history, where the ‘Technology, Religion and Ethics’, Text: Representations of the Holocaust advanced options include: ‘Early Christian ‘Conversing with Karl Barth’, ‘Grace and and Jewish Identity’ and Islamic Studies Writers’, ‘Church and Society in Late Desire for God in Modern Catholic include ‘Islam and the Challenge of Mediaeval Scotland’, ‘The Creation of Theology’, as well as ‘Doctrine of Modernity: Critical Issues in Shari’a Law’ Protestant Scotland’, and on the nineteenth Creation’, ‘Christian Ethics’, ‘Pastoral Care and ‘Martyrs, Virgins and Hell’s Angels: century ‘Church, Conflict and Community’. and Theology’ and ‘Church, Sacraments Islamic Eschatology in Context’. and Ministry’. Inside Bulletin The Head of School’s Message 03 | Retiring after 36 years 04 Thomas Torrance 05 |David Wright 06 | David Kerr 07 | Andrew Ross 08 Where are they now? 09 |Teaching Awards 10 | Teachers are also Scholars 11 Here and Hereafter continued And what happens hereafter? A leaflet for prospective students says This is only a snapshot and one taken of information students seek is usually that ‘a degree in Divinity or Religious very early in people’s careers. It would most easily provided by people who Studies provides the context not only be good to have a much fuller picture of are fairly recently established in their for significant intellectual and personal the longer term development of the line of work. development, but also for the acquisition careers of alumni. of a wide range of transferable skills’. 3 Day in the life of… This is one reason for the following You could write a diary of a typical The question is – to what spheres are APPEAL FOR HELP from the Editor, day (or week) at work. This should be present day students transferring those the Recruitment Adviser and the no hype, no frills, no sales pitch – just skills? The University’s Careers Service Career Adviser. facts for students to get a better idea offers some answers. A spot check in of what people really do on a daily January 2007 of those who graduated We want to give present students and basis in a range of occupations: see in the summer of 2006 showed that those considering study some insight http://www.careers.ed.ac.uk/Day_inth • two thirds were in employment into what they can do with their e_Life/index.htm • one fifth were in further study degree from New College and support • one tenth were either in voluntary them with their career planning, 4 Where are they now? work or taking a year out whatever their ambitions or hopes You could be included on the ‘Where • and the remaining twentieth were might be. The variety of things our are they now?’ display board on the still seeking employment. graduates go on to achieve and areas Careers Service, comprising case of work they enter into are wide studies of University alumni, outlining Of those in employment ranging. We hope to bring this to life briefly what they do now and how • half were in a pastoral role by finding out more directly from our they got there. the other half spread across graduates. This is where the readers • vocational guidance of this Bulletin come in! You can do as many of these as you like. • counselling Please email Helen Whitham, Career • TV production Whatever your situation or stage in Adviser, at [email protected], • youth work life, regardless of how recently or indicating which you may be interested in, • research analysis long ago you graduated, whatever and she will give you further details. If in • money advice occupation you are in – it would be the meantime you have any questions • conference interpreting marvellous to hear from you. There please do not hesitate to get in touch with • teaching. are a number of different ways you Helen or with Hannah Holtschneider, can become involved in supporting Recruitment Adviser, at Their employers included our current students; have a look and [email protected]. If you would • Church of Scotland see if any of the following appeal: like to see samples of a profile on the • NHS Scotland website, go to • BBC 1 Profile for our website www.div.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate. • Ministry of Defence You could write a profile of your • European Court of Justice life/career since graduation for our • Teach Test website. This would include how you • British Urological Foundation feel your time at New College (both • Citizens Advice Bureau. degree programme and experience at University) influenced the path you The subjects of those in further study are taking now, and also if it affects included how you actually conduct your work. • Christianity in the Non-Western World • Politics and Environment 2 Career contact • Globalisation You could become a ‘Career Contact’, • Education enabling students of any discipline to • Law get in touch with you (by email or • Child Psychiatry phone) to find out more about the • Social Work. realities of your current area of work, and how to get started in it. The sort 02 | New College Bulletin 2008 Welcome The Head of School’s Message Having unexpectedly been asked to take students, from ca. thirty countries. Our on the post of Head of the School of Divinity endowments allow us to give some £150.000 with effect from 01 August 2007, it has annually in scholarships to postgraduate been a busy, often demanding, but also very students, which further helps us to attract strong satisfying year. applicants. But there is not enough available for the many strong but financially strapped In national newspaper league tables we have students, especially those from developing consistently been ranked among the top countries. So, it was a pleasure this Spring to Theology/Religious Studies units in the UK. We welcome a delegation from the Youngnak Church await word on the results of the latest UK (Seoul, Korea) who brought a £30,000 donation Research Assessment Exercise (which assess for our recently-established John Ross university departments as to their research Scholarship Fund. We hope that this fund will prowess and accomplishments), but we fully continue to grow, and we invite inquiries from expect again to be rated among the strongest in others who may be able to help deserving the UK. Some sixty Honours degrees were students to study here, perhaps via a donation or awarded to Divinity students, and sixteen PhDs by including New College in your will or as this June. We are perhaps the largest centre for beneficiary of life insurance. the New College garden will undergo a major postgraduate studies in Theology and Religious development to make available a lovely area for Studies in the UK, combining both size and In the June graduation ceremony we recognised sitting out and enjoying the sunshine (whenever it quality across an unexcelled range of specialities. the $1 million commitment by our former student, manages to appear!). This last project is made Robert Funk, which will be used to enhance One of the advantages of my office is to be possible thanks to the Alan Robinson bequest. further our wonderful New College Library, by more aware of how much is being achieved making him University Benefactor. Within the last We have also a dedicated study room for by colleagues. In the most recent round of few weeks we have also been promised a major Honorary and Visiting Fellows. Among the latter University promotions, Dr Cecelia Clegg and gift to enhance our endowed post in Reformation each year are scholars from various universities Dr Susan Hardman Moore were promoted to History and Theology. and theological colleges internationally, and also Senior Lecturer, reflecting their contributions in pastors given an extended study leave by their all areas of teaching, research and University Among the pleasurable tasks this year was congregations. These friends enrich further the service. Dr Paul Foster has been awarded a the selection of a Director of the Centre for the life of the School. 2007 BP Prize Lectureship by the Royal Society Study of Christianity in the Non-Western World of Edinburgh for his scholarly work on early (succeeding Dr Jack Thompson, who retires at I hope that you will frequently visit our web site Christianity, particularly his study of non- the end of 2008 after many years of productive (www.div.ed.ac.uk), as we continue to deploy canonical texts.