ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

The purpose of training students here, as elsewhere, is to make them effective ministers. We try to encourage deeper commitment and spiritual growth as we live together as community. Knowledge towards developing mental faculty both theoretically and practically and understanding of the faith towards spiritual growth and maturity are equally important. In many areas both ministers and laity have considerable opportunity of moulding the cultural, political, and economic and religious life of their people. If they are to do so in an enlightened and effective manner they need preparation. For this we have compulsory courses in the eight major branches of study together with interdisciplinary courses focusing on major issues in our present situation to make theological teaching relevant to the context. From all these branches Senate examines 12 papers to ensure that all-India standard is maintained and rest of the papers required by the Senate are examined by the College. Beyond this the student is free to choose from a wide variety of optional courses.

• Course Offered

1. Bachelor of Divinity (BD)

   The Bachelor of Divinity is a degree programme extending over a period of three and a half years. The graduates holding BA/BSc/BCom or higher degrees are eligible to take this course. The BTh graduates of the Senate of Serampore College or of any recognized university are also eligible to take BD course.

2. Master of Theology (MTh)

   The MTh programme is a joint programme of the Serampore College and the Bishop's College, Calcutta and is organized under the North India Institute of Post Graduate Theological Studies (NIIPGTS). A Registrar, appointed for three years in rotation from each College administers the day to day function of the NIIPGTS under the guidance of the Committee headed by the Principals of both the Colleges. At present the courses are offered in New Testament, Theology, Religions and Missiology depending on the availability of adequate staff and residential facilities.

3. Doctor of Theology (DTh)

   The NIIPGTS also has been selected as one of the centres for the Doctoral Studies since 1999 and got approval of the Senate of Serampore College to offer the DTh degree in the field of Theology and Religion.

   For further information write to: *
   The Registrar, NIIPGTS
   Bishop's College
   224, A J C Bose Road
   Kolkata - 700 017 West Bengal.

4. Bachelor of Christian Studies (BCS), External Studies:

   The B.C.S. Degree course is designed to provide professional and laity with academic skills for an in-depth understanding of Christian faith, history, doctrine and practical dimensions of ministry to interact with their neighbors and professional colleagues in their common quest for meaning of life. The course is intended to integrate theological education with the professional orientation of the candidates.

   The Theology Department of Serampore College is an approved center for the annual examination of the BCS programme. A candidate applying for permission to take his/her examination at the Theology Department must obtain prior consent of the Principal/Vice-Principal and submit it along with the Examination Entry Form before the 15th June. Additional information for this external degree program, admission requirements, curriculum, registration fees etc. may be obtained by writing to:

   The Registrar,
   Senate of Serampore College
   Serampore-712201
   Dist. Hooghly, West Bengal.

   OR

   The Director, Extension Studies
   SCEPTRE, "Shrachi Centre",
   74B, A J C Bose Road
   Kolkata - 700 016 West Bengal

• Admission Requirements:

1. A candidate shall be a graduate of Arts, Science or Commerce of any recognized University and have passed the Entrance Examination consisting of papers in English, Scripture knowledge and General Knowledge conducted by the College.

OR

2. He/she shall be a holder of the B.Th Degree of Serampore College and have already passed the qualifying examination in English (B.Th. papers II and III) and have at least one year experience in some field of the Church's ministry after completing the B.Th course and have passed an Entrance Examination Consisting of Papers in English, Bible and Theology conducted by the College.

OR

3. He/she shall be a person eligible for admission to the degree course of an Indian University or its equivalent and subsequently qualified for the four years diploma of an affiliated B.D. College recognized by the Senate.

OR

4. A person who qualifies under the 'Mature Candidate' category under the rules of the Senate of Serampore College.

   A mature person who is at least 25 years of age and has passed 10^th standard, was prevented for special reasons from pursuing his/her secular studies and can produce evidence to this effect and has been in a full time vocation/profession/employment for at least two years may apply to sit for mature candidate entrance examination. Such a person should first submit himself/herself for an interview by the faculty of an affiliated B.D. College who will test his/her motivation for ministry. Subject to satisfactory recommendation from the College he/she may be permitted by the C.A.A. of the Senate to sit for the 'mature candidate' entrance examination. (For details write to the Registrar of the Senate of Serampore College).

Admission Policy:

A candidate is required to obtain applications forms by writing to the Vice principal, Theology Department, Serampore College, Serampore- 712201, West Bengal. The application form must be duly filled and submitted to the same by the end of February for all Courses, including B.Th. and Mature Examination qualified candidates. All the Applications will go through a process of screening after which the eligible candidates will be called to write an entrance examination as mentioned above in April/May in the College and after which each candidates (including mature candidates) will be called for an interview. The candidates will be selected by the faculty on the basis of performance in the entrance examination, personal interview, scholarship and recommendation by the sponsoring Church/Organization authority. The students will be informed by letter concerning their admission into BD Orientation/BD Upgrading. For the Orientation candidates, the successful completion of the Orientation Course with good moral life, commitment to theological studies and evidence of growth towards spiritual life and maturity, will secure them a permanent seat for the BD first year studies.

Academic Calendar:

The academic calendar begins in mid June every year with a retreat for renewal of our commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. The College follows the Semester system for its programmes. The first semester ends in September with a term examination in the first week of October followed by two weeks of intensive practical work. The second semester begins in the end of October and ends in mid April with both the Senate and the College Examinations. The Orientation Course begins at the end of October every year.

Course Requirement:

1. The normal length of the BD Course will be three and a half years including an Orientation period and practical work.
2. The Orientation period will try to make up the deficiencies in candidate's training and introduce him/her to English, Scripture Knowledge, the Biblical language, the branches of theological study (Christian Theology, Christian Ministry, etc.), social analysis, study methods, spirituality, etc.
3. The courses under the BD program are divided into categories. Some courses are compulsory (foundational) and common to all students; these are grouped under one or the other of the eight branches or areas of study. Some are interdisciplinary and a candidate will be expected to pass in at least three such courses. Others grouped under one or the other of the eight branches will be optional.
4. A candidate with BA/BSc/Bcom. Degree will be required to pass in 26 papers and a thesis (or two papers in lieu of the thesis) besides passing the Orientation Examination and preliminary Examination in a biblical language (Hebrew/Greek) and English. Of the 26 (or 28) papers, 12 will be examined by the Senate and the rest by the College.
5. A candidate with B.Th degree in third class will be required to pass in same number of papers like a candidate with BA/BSc/BCom.
6. A candidate who has passed the BTh examination of the Senate of Serampore College in the First/ Second class is eligible for admission to the second year of the BD programme. He/she will be required to pass in 14 papers and a thesis (or two papers in lieu of the thesis). Six of these papers will be examined by the Senate.
7. A student is required to have 80% attendance in each of the papers, failing which may lead to debarment from examination.
8. A candidate must attend all the Inter-Semester Practical Exposure Program and Week End Ministries arranged by the College towards the fulfillment of requirement by the Seante.
9. There is a Scripture Knowledge Test conducted annually for every class separately and required to pass towards the fulfillment of requirement by the College.

Curriculum:

The subjects normally offered in the Serampore College are listed below: (Com = compulsory; Non-cr = non-credit; CE = Examined by the Collage; SE = Examined by the Senate; Opt = Optional)

BRANCH I : OLD TESTAMENT

301		People of God and the Bible Part I (Com; CE).
302		Witness of Israel to Liberation: A study of the Pentateuch with selected texts in English (Com; SE).
		OR
303		Witness of Israel to Liberation: A study of the Pentateuch with selected texts in Hebrew (Com; SE).
304		Vision and Mission of the Prophets with selected texts in English (Com; SE).
		OR
305		Vision and Mission of the Prophets with selected texts in Hebrew (Com; SE).
306		Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament with selected texts in English (Opt; CE).
307		Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament with selected texts in Hebrew (Opt; CE).
308		Apocalyptic Writings (Opt; CE).
309		Selected Themes in the Old Testament (Opt; CE).
310		Archaeology of the Old Testament (Opt; CE).
311		Development of Religious Thought in the Intertestamental Period (Opt; CE).
312		Old Testament Theology (Opt, CE).
313		Exegetical and Theological Study of Psalms with selected Text in English (Opt, CE).
314		Exegetical and Theological Study of Psalms with selected Text in Hebrew (Opt, CE).
**		Preliminary Hebrew (Non-cr; CE). Prerequisite to course offering with Hebrew texts.

BRANCH II: NEW TESTAMENT

315		People of God and the Bible Part II (Com; CE).
316		Intro to Synoptic Gospels with a detailed study of selected texts in English (Com; SE).
		OR
317		Intro to Synoptic Gospels with a detailed study of selected texts in Greek (Com; SE).
318		Intro to Pauline Thought with a detailed study of selected texts in English (Com; SE).
		OR
319		Intro to Pauline Thought with a detailed study of selected texts in Greek (Com; SE).
320		Intro to Johannine Thought with a detailed study of selected texts in English (Opt; CE).
		OR
321		Intro to Johannine Thought with a detailed study of selected texts in Greek (Opt; CE).
322		The Epistle to the Hebrews with Greek (Opt, CE).
323		New Testament Theology (Opt; CE).
324		Selected Themes in the New Testament (Opt; CE).
**		Preliminary Greek (Non-Cr; CE) prerequisite to courses offering with Greek texts.

BRANCH III : THEOLOGY & ETHICS

325		Introduction to Christian Theology (Com; CE).
326		Indian Christian Theologians (Com; SE).
327		Person and work of Christ (Com; SE).
		OR
328		Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Com, SE).
329		Introduction to Christian Ethics (Com; CE).
330		Christian Response to Other Faiths (Opt; CE).
331		Dalit Theology (Opt, CE).
332		Tribal Theology (Opt, CE).
333		Theology of Human Development (Opt, CE).
334		Contemporary Trends in Theology (Opt ; CE).
335		Responses to Jesus of Nazareth (Opt; CE).

BRANCH IV : HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY

336		General Introduction to the History of Christianity (Com; CE).
337		History of Christianity in India (Com; SE).
338		History of Ecumenical Movement (Com; CE).
339		History of the Eastern Christianity (Opt; CE).
340		History of Christianity in East Asia (Opt; CE).
341		History of Christianity in a Region of India (Opt; CE).
342		History of Christianity among the Dalit And Tribal People in India (Opt; CE).
343		Historical Study of the Development of Missiological Perspective in the Twentieth Century (Opt; CE).

BRANCH V : RELIGION & SOCIETY

344		A study of the Major Religions of India in their Socio- cultural context (Com; CE).
345		Primal Religion (Opt; CE).
346		Detailed study of Hinduism with prescribed Texts (Com; CE).
		OR
347		Detailed study of Islam with prescribed texts (Com; CE).
		OR
348		Detailed study of Buddhism with prescribed texts (Com; CE).
		OR
349		Detailed study of Jainism with prescribed texts (Com; CE).
		OR
350		Detailed study of Sikhism (Com; CE).
351		Renascent and Contemporary Movements in India (Com; SE).
352		Indian Philosophy (Opt; CE).
353		Classical Language : Sanskrit (Opt; SE).
354		Classical Language : Arabic (Opt; SE).
361		Cultural Anthropology (Opt; CE).
**		Preliminary Sanskrit (Non-Cr; CE) Prerequisite to course No. 353.
**		Preliminary Arabic (Non-Cr; CE) Prerequisite to course No. 354.

BRANCH VI: CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

362		Introduction to Worship and Preaching (Com; SE).
363		Introduction to Pastoral Care & Counseling (Com; CE).
364		Introduction to Christian Education (Com; CE).
365		History of Litugical Forms (Opt; CE).
366		Modern Development in Liturgy (Opt; CE).
367		Church Organization and Administration (Opt; CE).
368		Personality Development (Opt; CE).
369		Advanced Counseling (Opt; CE).
370		Advanced Homiletics (Opt; CE).

BRANCH VII : COMMUNICATION

371		Introduction to Communication (Com; SE).
372		Introduction to Communication from Christian Perspective (Opt; CE).
373		Awareness to Mass Media Issues (Opt; CE).
374		Evangelism as Persuasive Communication (Opt; CE).
375		Communication for Social Change (Opt; CE).
376		Communication of the Gospel (Opt; CE).
377		Preaching of the Gospel (Opt; CE).
378		Interfaith Communication (Opt; CE).

BRANCH VIII: SOCIAL ANALYSIS

379

Understanding Indian Society (Com; SE).

INTER-DISCIPLINARY COURSES

380		Christian witness, Mission and Evangelism (Com; SE).
381		Creation, Ecology and Human Responsibility (Opt; CE).
382		Women in Religion and Society (Opt; CE).
383		Church and Ministry (Opt; CE).
384		People of God in Worship (Opt: CE).
385		Christianity During the Reformation Period (Opt; CE).
386		Relationship Between the Testaments (Opt; CE).
387		Selected Ethical Issues : Human Rights (Opt; CE).
388		The Bible and the transformation of society (Opt; CE).

Note:

1. In addition to Renascent and Contemporary Movements in India, a candidate is expected to take another paper from Religion and Society or from Social Analysis as a Senate paper.
2. In addition to Introduction to Worship and Preaching a candidate is expected to take another paper from this branch or from Communication as a Senate paper
3. At least one course under the Inter-disciplinary group will have to be taken as a Senate paper.

Evaluation and Grading system:

(a) Evaluation :

• Each College paper is examined by two examiners of which first examiner is the course teacher. Therefore no revaluation is permitted.
• In case of difference of more than 12 marks between the two examiners the paper shall be sent to the third examiner who must be an external examiner in the same subject and the average of the two nearest examiners marks shall be the final.
• The Academic committee is responsible to check all the tabulation and entries of marks in the College register and marks sent to the Senate.
• The marks of all papers required by the Senate is sent annually to the Senate

(b) Grading System:

• The grading system is followed according to the system laid down by the Senate of Serampore College as indicated below. The pass marks in the examinations is 40% or C- and the final grading of candidates shall be as follows:

  First Class	Second Class	Third Class
  A+ 80% and above	B+ 65%	C+ 50%
  A 75%	B 60%	C 45%
  A- 70%	B- 55%	C- 40%
  Failure : Below 40% Marks.

Field Education

(i) Practical work/ training:

Emphasis is laid on practical work during the course of study to relate study to concrete life situation. The students are required to be involved in some form of practical work throughout the year. Practical work in pastoral ministry, such as conducting worship services in different churches, preaching & teaching the Word of God, visiting & praying for the poor and sick people, counseling, etc. and exposure to different situations like slums, industries, development projects, rehabilitation homes, orphanages and old-age homes, medical centres etc. is included in the Academic Programme. Every student is required to participate in a two week intensive practical work which will be arranged normally during the break between the semester. Besides these students are assigned to four to six weeks field training/intercepts preferably in their home churches in the first and second summer vacation under the supervision of the local Christian leaders.

(ii) Week End Ministry:

The College has initiated the Week End Ministry for all students to be involved in the regular ministry on week ends during their stay in the College to serve in the neighbouring Churches, Missions and service agencies. The WEM also provides opportunity to serve our Campus children and neighbouring non-Christian children through Sunday School and VBS.

(iii) Sunday Outreach Ministry:

Besides the above mentioned ministries, the College has initiated outreach ministry to the Serampore and its neighbouring communities with an aim to reach them with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local Churches in their spiritual growth and development.

(iv) Internship:

We have introduced a new course cycle in which we have included Field Education as part of theological education in which our students will be sent to various organizations and Churches for six months to gain more exposure and learning by living with reality.