Introduction

The Master of Arts Programme in Religious Studies (hereinafter the Programme) is the first and unique programme of its kind in Hong Kong higher education. It was established in 1998 by the Department of Religion (Department of Cultural and Religious Studies since 2004).More than 600 graduates have successfully obtained their Master of Arts in Religious Studies from this Programme in the past decades.

Considering religion an integral part of human life, thought and culture, the Programme advocates a scholarly and comparative perspective to the study of multifarious religious phenomena to achieve a sympathetic understanding of diverse religious experiences. The Programme aims to cultivate students’ ability to understand religious culture from different traditions and disciplinary knowledge so as to achieve its ultimate goal to provide student  a broad and critical study in relating religious wisdom to human life and society.

The Programme adopts a proactive approach to enhance students' academic performance in religious studies. A Seminar on Academic Paper Writing is organized in the first semester every year to help students improve their academic  writing  in religious studies. The  course "Research Paper in Religious Studies" initiated from 2010 enables our students to acquire some essential skills and methodologies of engaging a critical research paper, thus  equipped them better academically  for further research degree studies.

Emphasis on experiential learning is a distinctive feature of our Programme. Since religion is a living tradition in our society, fieldwork is considered as a core learning activity for students to attain a deeper understanding of people’s daily religious practices, both locally and overseas, through which  students can better integrate religious theory and enhance their ability for theoryapplication in their academic study.

The Programme is principally not career-oriented. Nevertheless, it dedicates itself to  motivate and inspire students to embrace a more open-minded view  in appreciation of differences, which plays a vital role in understanding different religious cultures especially in a diversified and globalized society like Hong Kong.

Not only has this programme provided young scholars with solid academic foundation for their further research in religious studies, but it has also a modest effect to the religious and cultural undertakings in the society. With the establishment of the Alumni Association of the Programme in 2013, a group of committed graduates has been passionate in promoting the culture, values, and wisdom of different religious traditions to the general public through workshops, open lectures, and field trips, which is, the embodiment of lifelong learning.