The Master of Arts in Engaged Jain Studies is a graduate program offered by Claremont School of Theology (CST), a leading institution in theological education. This program provides students with the unique opportunity to study with expert faculty from both CST and Arihanta Institute. Arihanta Institute faculty are engaged at CST as Affiliate Faculty members under an academic agreement, contributing their specialized expertise and teaching courses in this collaborative program.
Available Modalities:
This degree is designed to be completed in the Distance Education modality with no or minimal in-person time. Students studying under an F-1 visa or with VA benefits should be aware of the in-person requirements of their status and choose courses accordingly. See the Program Delivery and Learning Modalities page for more details.
Curriculum:
Our innovative collaboration gives students access to study with expert faculty at both Arihanta Institute and Claremont School of Theology (CST), from anywhere in the world.
The curriculum consists of 4 core courses, 4 required track courses, and 4 electives. Six of the track’s courses must be taken with faculty from Arihanta Institute, while the other 6 courses must be taken with faculty from Claremont School of Theology. Students may use their electives as free electives or dedicate those credits to fulfilling optional concentrations:
The curriculum consists of 4 core courses, 4 required track courses, and 4 electives. Six of the track’s courses must be taken with faculty from Arihanta Institute, while the other 6 courses must be taken with faculty from Claremont School of Theology. Students may use their electives as free electives or dedicate those credits to fulfilling optional concentrations:
Graduates from the MA-Engaged Jain Studies program will be able to:
- Develop scholarly knowledge about collective practices in the field of Engaged Jain Studies that include multiple religious or cultural expressions, or interreligious or intercultural perspectives.
- Practice compassion, attention or commitment to justice, and capacities for widening belonging in their academic and vocational endeavors, as rooted in Jain philosophy.
- Articulate the significance of their academic and vocational work about Jain philosophy for the nourishment of their broader communities.
- Demonstrate academic competence in Jain literature, and ancient and modern South Asian languages, with attention to interdisciplinary and contemporary fields of study
| Program Requirements | Semester Taken / Planned |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 12 credits |
| TCG 3020 Intercultural Studies or TIR 3001 Interreligious Dialogue and Leadership |
|
| TDT 3045 Studies in Jain Karma and Ethics | |
| TES 3074 Learning with the Marginalized | |
| TDT 3051 Theories and Praxis of Non-Violence and Jainism | |
| Track Courses | 12 credits |
| TDT/TAI 3011 Introduction to Jainism: Non-Violence as a Way of Life | |
| TAI 3036 Engaged Jainism and Animal Advocacy | |
| TAI 3037 Social Justice and Modern Yoga | |
| TAI 3041 Jain Yoga | |
| Electives or Concentration Courses | 12 credits |
| Summative Courses (take 1) | 1-3 credits |
| TIS 3063 Masters’ Summative Exercise (Thesis) | |
| TMC 3100 MA Colloquium (Non-Thesis) | |
| TOTAL | 37–39 credits |
Concentration and Elective Coursework
The student should choose a concentration early in the program and take two courses within that concentration. Available concentration courses are:
South Asian Languages
Veganism, Animals, and Ecology
Yoga Studies
- TAI 3044 Foundations of Jain Yoga Studies
- TAI 3050 Haṭha Yoga & Jain Yoga
- TAI 4033 Jain Philosophy
Electives
The student may choose to take additional courses in the concentration, pick up an additional concentration, or fill the remaining courses with free electives. The student may also choose to take four free electives instead of fulfilling any concentration. Available elective courses taught by Arihanta Institute Faculty include:
(Additional elective courses offered by CST faculty are also available.)
Summative Courses
The student will choose between the Thesis and Non-Thesis options. Students planning to apply for PhD programs should strongly consider the Thesis option. Further details about the thesis and its requirements and deadlines can be found in the catalog. The Non-Thesis option will include a portfolio of major assignments from the student’s coursework as well as short reflective papers on the student’s learning and experience in their program.
Thesis students take TIS 3063 Master’s Summative Exercise in the final Fall semester before graduation.
Non-Thesis students take TMC 3100 MA Colloquium in the final Spring semester before graduation.
Thesis students take TIS 3063 Master’s Summative Exercise in the final Fall semester before graduation.
Non-Thesis students take TMC 3100 MA Colloquium in the final Spring semester before graduation.
Apply Today!
To schedule an appointment with a faculty advisor from Claremont School of Theology (CST) and learn more about the program, please email: admission@cst.edu.
Additionally, you may contact Arihanta Institute faculty advisors, who serve as Adjunct Faculty at CST, at: study@arihantainstitute.org.
Additionally, you may contact Arihanta Institute faculty advisors, who serve as Adjunct Faculty at CST, at: study@arihantainstitute.org.