Institute for Theology, Imagination & the Arts
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA) is an institute within St Mary's College
, the School of Divinity at the University of St Andrews
, Scotland
, which 'aims to advance and enrich an active conversation between Christian theology and the arts - bringing rigorous theological thinking to the arts, and bringing the resources of the arts to the enterprise of theology.'
in 2000 in response to a growing demand for academic engagement with the conversation between theology and the arts. The programme was borne of two preexisting projects at St Mary's College: 'Theology and Imagination' (directed by Hart) and 'Theology Through the Arts' (directed by Begbie).
ITIA currently offers undergraduate courses, a Master of Letters
(MLitt) taught postgraduate course and a doctoral
(PhD) programme.
St Mary's College, St Andrews
St Mary's College of the University of St Andrews, in Fife, Scotland - in full, the New College of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - was founded in 1538 by Archbishop James Beaton, uncle of Cardinal David Beaton on the site of the pedagogy or St Johns College .St Mary's College was...
, the School of Divinity at the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, which 'aims to advance and enrich an active conversation between Christian theology and the arts - bringing rigorous theological thinking to the arts, and bringing the resources of the arts to the enterprise of theology.'
Background
ITIA was founded by Trevor Hart and Jeremy BegbieJeremy Begbie
Jeremy Begbie, BA, BD, Ph.D., LRAM, ARCM, FRSCM, is Thomas A. Langford Research Professor at Duke Divinity School, Duke University. He was previously the Associate Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, as well as an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge...
in 2000 in response to a growing demand for academic engagement with the conversation between theology and the arts. The programme was borne of two preexisting projects at St Mary's College: 'Theology and Imagination' (directed by Hart) and 'Theology Through the Arts' (directed by Begbie).
ITIA currently offers undergraduate courses, a Master of Letters
Master of Letters
The Master of Letters is a postgraduate degree.- United Kingdom :The MLitt is a postgraduate degree awarded by a select few British and Irish universities, predominantly within the ancient English and Scottish universities.- England :Within the English University system MLitts are not universally...
(MLitt) taught postgraduate course and a doctoral
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
(PhD) programme.
Staff
- Prof Trevor Hart, Director, Professor of Divinity
- Dr Gavin Hopps, Research Councils UK Academic Fellow
- Prof David BrownDavid Brown (theologian)David William Brown FBA is an Anglican priest and theologian who currently serves as Professor of Theology, Aesthetics and Culture in the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts and as Wardlaw Professor at St Mary's College, University of St Andrews.- Education and early academic career...
, Professorial Fellow - Michael Partridge, Honorary Lecturer
Associate staff
- Bernard Beatty, Senior Fellow in the School of English, Liverpool University
- Dr Ian BradleyIan BradleyIan Campbell Bradley is a British academic, author, theologian, Church of Scotland minister, journalist and broadcaster.At the University of St Andrews, he is Reader in Practical Theology and Church History and a University chaplain...
, Reader in Church History & Practical Theology, St Mary's College, University of St Andrews - Dr Michael Downes, Director of Music, University of St Andrews
- Prof Ann Loades, Honorary Professorial Fellow, St Chad’s College; Professor Emerita of Divinity, University of Durham
- Dr Grant Macaskill, Lecturer in New Testament Studies, St Mary's College, University of St Andrews
- Prof Patrick Sherry, Professor Emeritus, Lancaster University
Consultants
- Prof Jürgen MoltmannJürgen MoltmannJürgen Moltmann is a German Reformed theologian. The 2000 recipient of the Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Religion.-Moltmann's Youth:...
, Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Tübingen - Prof Anthony O'HearAnthony O'HearAnthony O'Hear is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Buckingham and Head of the Department of Education.He is the editor of the journal Philosophy and Honorary Director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy...
, Professor of Philosophy, University of Buckingham - Sir John PolkinghorneJohn PolkinghorneJohn Charlton Polkinghorne KBE FRS is an English theoretical physicist, theologian, writer, and Anglican priest. He was professor of Mathematical physics at the University of Cambridge from 1968 to 1979, when he resigned his chair to study for the priesthood, becoming an ordained Anglican priest...
, Former President Queens' College Cambridge - The Most Reverend Rowan WilliamsRowan WilliamsRowan Douglas Williams FRSL, FBA, FLSW is an Anglican bishop, poet and theologian. He is the 104th and current Archbishop of Canterbury, Metropolitan of the Province of Canterbury and Primate of All England, offices he has held since early 2003.Williams was previously Bishop of Monmouth and...
, Archbishop of Canterbury - Prof Nicholas WolterstorffNicholas WolterstorffNicholas Wolterstorff is an American philosopher and currently the Noah Porter Emeritus Professor of Philosophical Theology at Yale University...
, Noah Porter Professor of Philosophical Theology, Yale University
Achievements
Since its founding, ITIA has established:- a doctoral programme
- Honours and Masters modules
- a publishing programme, including a series with Ashgate PressAshgate PublishingAshgate Publishing is an academic book and journal publisher based in Farnham, Surrey, United Kingdom. It was established in 1967 and specializes in the social sciences, arts, humanities, and professional practice...
- a weekly postgraduate research seminar
- an annual conference, held each autumn, gathering participants from all over the UK and abroad
- a major international conference on Tolkien
- two international colloquia, through collaboration with Calvin CollegeCalvin CollegeCalvin College is a comprehensive liberal arts college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin College is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed tradition of Protestantism...
, one in theology and music, the other in theology and the built environment - an RCUKResearch Councils UKResearch Councils UK is a strategic partnership between the seven UK Research Councils. It enables the Councils to work together more effectively to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of their research, training and innovation activities, contributing to the delivery of the Government's...
Academic Fellowship - a series of public performance events