MA Curriculum

MA – Engaged Jain Studies 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 Masters of Arts – Engaged Jain Studies is comprised of the following 48-credit, 16-course program, wherein each course counts for 3 credits. 8 courses are completed with Arihanta Institute Faculty and 8 courses are completed with CST Faculty.

The 8 courses taken at CST include 4 courses in Other Religions/Interreligious topics, 2 core courses, an elective course, and an MA Thesis prep course.

A particular area of focus may be chosen from within Other Religions/Interreligious courses and Elective courses (student and advisor can determine focus, which consists of 4 courses/ 12 credits)

Core Courses 15 credits
(covering sacred texts, history, philosophy/theology, ethics)

Languages 6 credits

Other Religions/Interreligious Courses 12 credits

Electives 12 credits

MA Thesis 3 credits

Curriculum Details

Curriculum – Core (15 credits/5 courses)

Introduction to Jainism: Non-violence as a Way of Life (offered by Arihanta Institute or CST)
Engaged Jainism and Animal Advocacy (offered by Arihanta Institute)
Social Justice and Modern Yoga (offered by Arihanta Institute)
Studies in Jain Karma and Ethics (offered by CST)
Theories and Praxis of Non-violence and Jainism (offered by CST)

Languages (6 credits/2 courses)

Languages I (Classical Sanskrit offered by Arihanta Institute)
Languages II (Classical Sanskrit offered by Arihanta Institute)
Languages I (Modern Gujarati/Hindi offered by CST)
Languages II (Modern Gujarati/Hindi offered by CST)

Other Religions/Interreligious Courses (12 credits/4 courses)

January Interreligious Dialogue Course (offered by CST)
Other religions/Interreligious courses as available (offered by CST)

Electives (12 credits/4 courses)

Jain Yoga (offered by Arihanta Institute)
Bhagavad Gītā: A Jain Perspective (offered by Arihanta Institute)
Jain Philosophy (offered by Arihanta Institute)
Engaged Jainism: Jain Professional Ethics (offered by Arihanta Institute)
Spiritual Practices (offered by CST)
Hope in the Midst of Environmental Crisis: Insights from the Jains and World Religious Leaders (offered by CST)
Gender, Women, and Jain Spiritual Practices (offered by CST)
Jain Art and Aesthetics: Embodying Devotion, Non-violence, and Spirituality (offered by CST)
Studies in Jain Literature and Philosophy (offered by CST)

MA Thesis Prep Course (3 credits, offered every Fall at CST)

Apply Today!

To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors to learn more about our program, please email study@arihantainstitute.org
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