Cultural Astronomy and Astrology, MA

About Cultural Astronomy and Astrology, MA - at University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Course Overview

The MA focuses on Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. We define Cultural Astronomy as the study of the application of beliefs about the stars to all aspects of human culture, from religion and science to the arts and literature. It includes the new discipline of archaeoastronomy: the study of astronomical alignments, orientation and symbolism in ancient and modern architecture. Astrology is the practice of relating the heavenly bodies to lives and events on earth. We therefore examine the relationship between astrological, astronomical and cosmological beliefs and practices, and society, politics, religion and the arts, past and present.

The MA is a hybrid of history and anthropology. As historians we pay attention to documentary evidence but are heavily influenced by recent trends in anthropology; this means that modern western culture can be subjected to the same academic scrutiny as pre-modern or non-western cultures, and by questions such as the requirement for the scholar or researcher to engage in practice as part of their study of practice.

The words astronomy and astrology have distinct meanings in modern English. Astronomy is the scientific study of the physical universe. Astrology is more akin to a study of the psychic universe. The split between the two, though, is a feature of modern western thought.

Both words are of Greek origin: astronomy means the 'law' of the stars, while astrology is best translated as the 'word', or 'reason', of the stars, so in the classical world their meanings overlapped. To the Greek scholar Claudius Ptolemy, writing in the second century CE, there were two forms of astronomy: one dealt with the movement of the stars, the other (which we would call astrology) with their effects or significance. From then until the 17th century, the two words were interchangeable. In 'King Lear', Shakespeare had Edgar refer to his brother Edmund, who had been posing as an astrologer, as a 'sectary astronomical'.

Other terms Shakespeare might have used included mathematician (the astronomer Johannes Kepler studied astrology as part of his duties as 'Imperial Mathematician?) or Chaldean (both astrology and astronomy were commonly traced to Chaldea, another term for Mesopotamia). Neither do most non-western countries employ different words to distinguish traditional astronomy from astrology.

In India both are jyotish, the 'science of light'. In Japan they are onmy'd?, the 'yin-yang way'. In China, the observation and measurement of celestial phenomena was inseparable from their application to human knowledge which, in turn, was divided into two, li, or li fa, calendar systems, and tian wen, or sky patterns. All cultures have ways of visualising the stars, many without a single name for the practice. The title of the MA, whose subject matter includes the beliefs and practices of pre-modern and non-western cultures, as well as contemporary worlds, is therefore necessarily 'Cultural Astronomy AND Astrology'.

Awards: Flexible Learning

The MA is awarded for completion six taught modules and a dissertation taken between two years (full-time) and four years (part-time). Many students wish to study the whole MA. But we have a range of options for those who don't. For example:

• Postgraduate Diploma: take six modules
• Postgraduate Certificate: take three modules
• Occasional Student: take one or two modules

The Occasional Student option is ideal for students who either have a very specialized interest or wish to test their commitments. Recently Occasional Students have studied just our Introduction module, or the History of Astrology, or Skyscapes, Cosmology and Archaeology. Some students begin with the Certificate and then progress. If you apply for the Certificate or Diploma it is a simple matter to upgrade to the MA on the successful completion of the required modules.

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for further information.

Key Features

The course, quite simply, is unique. It is the only accredited university degree in the world to explore the human relationship with the sky through history and culture. We cover a wide range of material, from the ancient world to the present, and across cultures, and give students the chance to undertake individual research projects.

Teaching Staff
All our teaching staff are experts in their fields and either have PhDs or are undertaking doctoral research.

Teaching Online
Most of our course material is on the web and we teach using webinars - live video-conferencing sessions, and all seminars are recorded.

Publication
The best student work is published in Spica, our postgraduate journal.

Flexible Qualifications and Learning
You can sign up for the whole MA, or just commit to a Postgraduate Certificate (three modules) or Postgraduate Diploma (six modules) and then upgrade to the MA. You can also take one or two modules as an Occasional Student. The whole MA can be studied from between two years full time and four years part-time, and the University expects part-time students to take at least two modules per year.

Pursue Independent Research
We encourage students to explore their own interests within the scope of the MA. Some of our modules offer the chance to pursue a research project, and the 15,000 word dissertation is based on personal research, worked out and conducted under the direction of our expert staff.

An International Community: the Cloud Campus
Our students live in every continent and, by joining us, you join a world-wide community of scholars. Teaching online means that we form an international community connected online. The University has four campuses and a number of affiliated Colleges. We call our campus, the 'Cloud Campus'.

Get Together in the UK
We also hold an annual summer school, usually in Bath, England, the legendary home of the mythical first Druid university. We combine staff lectures with classes and a chance for students to present their work, and an excursion. It's a chance to work, study and socialise. You will see photos of our 2013 summer school on our flickr page.

As a student on the MA Cultural Astronomy and Astrology programme you will:

• Study for an accredited and internationally recognised Master's degree.
• Be part of one of the UK's most prestigious universities.
• Have the chance to work from home with no requirement to visit the UK.
• Have access to thousands of on-line academic papers and books.
• Be part of an international community of like-minded students.
• Study with expert tutors who all have, or are working for, PhDs in the subject area.
• Engage with debates concerning the nature and cultural role of astrology, cosmology and astronomy
• Engage with concepts such as magic, divination, myth and enchantment, as well as sacred space and the role of the soul in the stars, and our relationship with the sky.
• Acquire contemporary data which will contribute to scholarly understanding of our place in the cosmos.
• Have a chance to pursue your own independent research under expert ---supervision.

And as a successful graduate you will have:

• Gained an understanding of the role of astronomy, astrology and cosmology in society, through history and in a range of cultures.
• Acquired skills in qualitative research.
• Developed skills in critical thinking and the ability to develop evidence-based arguments in the subject area.
• Obtained a qualification which stands as a world-wide mark of quality.
• Learned how to communicate with academics in different disciplines.

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for further information.

Modules

Students take six modules, and then write a 15,000-word dissertation based on independent research. There are three compulsory modules and students then take one 'pathway' of two optional modules, and any third optional module.

Compulsory modules

AHAN7002: Introduction to Cultural Astronomy and Astrology
This module introduces the notion of 'culture' and its relationship with astrology, astronomy and culture. We explore the classical origins of the western tradition and consider issues such as fate, myth, divination, magic, ritual and enchantment, and raise questions concerning the place of traditional practices in the modern world, including critiques of astrology.

AHAN7035: Researching Contemporary Cosmologies
Students design and conduct a simple research project investigating contemporary attitudes to astrology, astronomy or cosmology, and explore such issues as reflexivity, the insider-outsider debate and the role of the researcher in the research.

AHAN7003: History of Astrology
This module focuses on western astrology from its earliest origins to the present day, but the lessons we draw can apply to other cultures. We look at such issues as reform in the theory and practice of astrology, and students analyse primary source documents as part of their assessment.

Optional Modules and Pathways

Our optional modules are arranged in pathways, which allow students to follow common themes across two modules.

For the MA and Postgraduate Diploma you take three compulsory modules, one pathway and one additional optional module from another pathway. For the Postgraduate Certificate you take one compulsory module and any two optional modules

Pathway 1: The Inner Cosmos

AHAN7022: Sky and Psyche
This module examines notions of the 'inner cosmos', including its background in western esotericism, moving to the modern world and looking at the use of astrology by C G Jung.

AHAN7011: Cosmology, Magic and Divination
Students explore the divinatory and magical practices of the classical world, paying attention to modern theories of magic and with an emphasis on the reading of classical philosophers and practitioners.

Pathway 2: Stars and Stones

AHAN7006: Sacred Geography
This module explores our home planet through concepts of sacred space, and students are able to conduct a research project

AHAN7010: Archaeoastronomy
Using simple techniques students learn how to look at the sky and explore its use in monuments from the ancient work to the modern, and conduct a research project.

Pathway 3: Earth and Sky

AHAN 7023: Astral Religion
Most religions believe that the soul is connected to the stars, and that significant rituals are connected to the sun and moon. This module explores such ideas and considers the question of what, exactly, is a religion?

AHAN 7010: Heavenly Discourses
This module looks at the way the sky has been represented through maps, literature, music and the visual arts, and students keep a sky journal as part of their assessment.

Course Tutor(s)

• Crystal Addey
• Laura Andrikopoulos
• Fiona Bowie
• Bernadette Brady
• Nicholas Campion
• Frances Clynes
• Patrick Curry
• Dorian Greenbaum
• Darrelyn Gunzburg
• Kim Malville
• Chris Mitchell
• Maria Nita
• Garry Phillipson
• Fabio Silva
• Anthony Thorley
• Amy Whitehead

Assessment

Each module is assessed by 5,000 words of written work or the equivalent. For example, some modules require one short essay of 1,000 words and a longer, 4,000-word essay, normally due in week 10 to 12. Assessment requirements, lengths and due dates can vary from module to module. The shorter essays may be a critical review of a piece of writing, or be picked from a choice of two titles. For the longer essays there is a wider choice of titles. In some modules, the title and subject is negotiated with the course tutor. Each is then returned with comments from either one or two tutors, and students are offered the chance to have a tutorial via Skype in order to discuss the comments.

Students who take the entire MA then go on to write a 15,000-word dissertation based on a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in discussion with the module tutor, and other appropriate members of staff. Each student is allocated a supervisor who can guide them through the research and writing process.

For current essay titles and a list of recent dissertation topics, email Dr Nick Campion, n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk and ask for an Information Handbook.

Career Opportunities

Most of our students take the MA as an end in itself because they love the subject. Some go on to study for PhDs, either with us, or at other universities.

The relationship between all academic work and non-academic employment is always based on potential employers' appreciation of the generic skills acquired in MA study. Typically, these include critical thinking, communication skills, time-management and the ability to take on and complete independent projects. The latter quality is particular prized by many employers. One graduate is teaching at undergraduate level while another, a school teacher, was awarded a promotion and pay rise on her graduation.

Further Information

Two years full-time, four years part-time (If you wish to apply for full-time study please consult Dr Nicholas Campion, n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk). It is also possible to take up two modules as an 'Occasional Student'.

Please use email rather than phone for initial inquiries. For an up-to-date Information Handbook with detailed information on entry requirements, applications, full module descriptions, timetables, reading, seminars, essay titles, summer schools, conferences and other frequently-asked-questions, email Dr Nicholas Campion, n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk

See our outreach site, The Sophia Project

http://www.sophia-project.net

See Spica, our postgraduate journal:

http://www.astronomy-and-culture.org/journal/

Find us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MaInCulturalAstronomyAndAstrology

See us on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophiacentre/

See Sophia Centre Press, our academic publisher:

http://www.sophiacentrepress.com/

See Culture and Cosmos, our academic journal:

http://www.cultureandcosmos.org/

See the Sophia Centre page on this website:

http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/sophia/

Related Courses

• MA Classical Studies
• MA Ancient Religions

Tuition Fees

You will find details of tuition fees on the postgraduate fees page. Fees are updated annually, an annoucement of the fees for 2017-18 is expected in January.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay by instalments?
Yes, you can. Often students are able to pay per module.

How can I pay?
The University will accept payment by credit card or bank transfer.

Is there a difference between the MA and the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma?
The cost is per module, so while you will pay more for the MA, the cost per module is the same.

Is government finance available for UK students
You may be able to obtain a loan, but there are no grants available. For English domiciled applicants Postgraduate loans are available from the Student Loans Company, subject to eligibility. An annoucement is expected in January for Postgraduate Loans for Welsh domiciled students. You can find out more about the postgraduat loans on the SLC website.

Is there funding from the AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council) funding in the UKs
No. The AHRC does not fund individual students.

Are Federal loans available for US and Canadian students?
PLEASE NOTE: No loans are available for distance learning programmes for students from the USA This is contrary to the advice given on the FAFSA website, (www.fafsa.ed.gov), and by FAFSA advisers. However, neither the FAFSA website, nor FAFSA advisers, have the up-to-date information.

Why are students outside the European Union charged more's
This is standard. Most countries charge students who are not domestic tax-payers more for university courses.

Are there any other costs?
There are no formal costs. However, to participate in on-line classes will require a web-cam - about ten pounds sterling or ten US dollars. Some students will wish to purchase extra books (some are required), even though most course materials will be on-line.

Does the University offer student loans's
No - unlike the USA, universities in the UK do not offer student loans.

Can I work as a Teaching Assistant or Graduate Assistant?
No, unfortunately we do not have such posts to offer.

Scholarships
The University welcomes all suitable students and does not wish to reject anyone who is experiencing financial hardship. The University offers a limited number of Scholarships for financial need. Please visit the student services web pages for more information. *PLEASE NOTE: these scholarships prioritise new students.

The Nicky Smuts Scholarship for International Students.
This is a privately awarded scholarship of £1000 given annually to a MA CAA student who is paying International fees and has successfully completed two modules. Information is available to current students.

Sophia Centre Scholarships

UK/EU students: we have a limited number of 25% scholarships, available for financial need.
International students: we have a limited number of 30% scholarships, available for financial need.
You can apply for a Sophia Centre scholarship once you have been accepted on to the course. Please visit the Sofia Centre website for more information.

*PLEASE NOTE:
If you apply for a scholarship we expect you to make a commitment to completing the modules for which you have received a scholarship, barring unforeseen circumstances.

Please note that all Sophia Centre scholarships are awarded either per module or for one academic year. Any application for a renewal will be based on satisfactory academic performance. All scholarships are available for all students engaged on the course, whether for the MA, Diploma or Certificate, dependent on successful admission to the course.

Entry requirements

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