Program

            1. Program Title        : Doctor of Philosophy Program in Religious Studies
(International Program)

            2. Name of Degree
            Full name         :           Doctor of Philosophy (Religious Studies)
            Abbreviation   :           Ph.D. (Religious Studies)

            3. Responsible Unit
               3.1    College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University.
               3.2    Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

Philosophy and Objectives of the Program

            1. Philosophy of the Program
      The College of Religious Studies focuses on the practical application of religious belief and practice in contemporary society, as well as moral issues, which people are currently confronting. The program is designed to promote an academic approach to religion in a multi-cultural setting, both in the nation and the world at large.

            2. Objectives of the Program
                        1. Provide students with the opportunity to concentrate their studies and
research on the following tracks: Buddhist Studies, Interreligious Studies, Religion and Science, or Religion and Psychology.
                        2. To produce graduates with deeper and wider knowledge of religion and its
relation to other disciplines such as those in social and health sciences; as well as its contribution to human well-being and harmony among communities of different cultural traditions.
                        3. With the knowledge gained, the graduates could become competent teachers
and researchers, and promoters of peace, interreligious understanding and cooperation to make the world a better place.

Admission Requirements

            1. Plan 1 (Research only)
               To be qualified for Plan 1, an applicant must:
(1) Hold a Master’s degree in a related field with an overall GPA of 3.50 or higher from a university that is recognized by the Ministry of Education.
(2) Show high English proficiency that meets the standard required by the Program; and have published at least one research work in religious studies or related fields in a peer-reviewed journal.

            2. Plan 2 (Coursework and Research)
               To be qualified for Plan 2, an applicant must:
(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree with first-class honors from an accredited institution of higher education or  
(2) Hold a Master’s degree with a GPA of no less than 3.50 
Students who are studying in Master’s program in Religious Studies can change student status to a doctoral student provided that they have already taken and passed course work at the Master’s degree level no less than 2/3 of the number of credits in required courses and have received a GPA of no less than 3.50 with approvals from Master’s program committee and Doctoral Program Committee as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Exceptions to the items Plan 1 and Plan 2 may be made by the Program Committee and the Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies.                                                       

            3. Selection Method
               In addition to the requirements of College of Religious Studies, such as TOEFL with a score of not less than 550 or IELTS with a score of 6.0 or more, applicants will have to take an Entrance examination in the subject area, and submit the following documents:
a) transcripts
b) 3 recommendation letters (at least 2 must be from former professors)
c) an abstract stating plan and objective of study and research
and will be interviewed – either in-person or over the phone.
Final judgement will be under the consideration of the Administrative Program Committee and the Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

Academic System

            1. Semester system
               The Program follows the semester system.
            2. Credits
The number of credits assigned to each subject is determined as follows:
               1. Lecture or discussion: A course with at least 15 hours of lectures or discussions/seminars per semester is assigned 1 credit-hour.
               2. Dissertation: A dissertation with at least 45 hours of work per semester is assigned 1 credit-hour.

            3. Duration of Study
               1. A candidate holding a Bachelor’s degree must spend no more than eight years to complete the doctoral degree.
               2. A candidate holding a Master’s degree must spend no more than six years in completing the doctoral degree.  

             4. Registration
               1. Students must register as full-time students.
               2. Full-time students must register for not less than 9 credits but not more than 15 credits per regular semester. Exception to this requirement may be possible with recommendation of the students’ academic advisor.

              5. Evaluation and Graduation Requirement
                        1. Evaluation
Evaluation of student’s performance follows the rules and regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

                       2.Graduation Requirements
                       Plan 1 (Research only)
                       Students must meet the following requirements:
                       (1) Pass English Proficiency Test, preferably TOEFL, with a score of 550 or more, or IELTS with a score of 6.0 or more.
                       (2) Pass the qualifying examination;
                       (3) Complete required credits of dissertation (See section 20.2) and successfully defend it, according to standard and regulations set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies; and
                       (4) Publish or have a manuscript accepted for publication of at least one research paper related to dissertation in a national or international peer-reviewed journal according to the regulations of  Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

                       Plan 2
                       Students must meet the following requirements:
                       (1)  A student holding a Bachelor’s degree must take no less than 45 credits of course work and 48 credits of dissertation, total credit for the program not less than 102 credits, with GPA not less than 3.00.
                       (2)  A student holding a Master’s degree must take no less than 27 credits of course work and 36 credits of dissertation, total credit for the program not less than 63 credits, with GPA not less than 3.00.
                       (3)  Pass English Proficiency Test, preferably TOEFL, with a score of 550 or more, or IELTS with a score of 6.0 or more.
                       (4)  Pass the qualifying examination;
                       (5)  Complete required credits of dissertation (See Section 20.2) and successfully defend it, according to standard and regulations set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University; and
                       (6) Publish or have a manuscript accepted for publication of at least one research paper related to dissertation in a national or international peer-reviewed journal according to the regulations of Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.
                       (7) In addition to the coursework and dissertation requirements, all students will be required to be a teaching assistant in at least one course, as well as teach one course before they can graduate.

Faculty of the Program

Number of Students Enrolled

      1. Plan 1
       Students with a Master’s degree
       Academic Year                       2008          2009          2010          2011         2012
Number of students enrolled           5                5                5                5               5
Cumulative number                             --              10              15              15             15
Number of graduates                           --              --                5                5               5

      2. Plan 2
                  1. Students with a Bachelor’s degree
       Academic Year                       2008          2009          2010          2011         2012
Number of students enrolled           5                5                5                5               5
Cumulative number                             --              10              15              20             20
Number of graduates                         --               --               --                5               5
                  2. Students with a Master’s degree
       Academic Year                       2008          2009          2010          2011         2012
Number of students enrolled           5                5                5                5               5
Cumulative number                             --              10              15              15             15
Number of graduates                         --               --                5                5               5

Location and Facilities
       1. The program will be conducted at the College of Religious Studies and at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya.
       2. The College of Religious Studies has up-to-date audio-visual equipment and other teaching and research facilities to support learning and teaching activities. The College has four classrooms and a computer lab with more than 20 computers for students to use. The equipment is periodically updated and replaced.

Library
       The College’s Library houses more than 12,000 titles of books, journals and academic materials on religions, philosophy and related subjects. The library staff provides training in the use of the Internet to access libraries and organizations with religious and related materials and data throughout the country and abroad. In addition, students can obtain a full range of library services from the Central Library of Mahidol University, and from libraries of other faculties located on other campuses. Mahidol University Library is linked to the inter-library loan system. Students can also conveniently access electronic libraries through the University’s Internet system.

Tuition Fee
       The estimated total cost per student for a three-year period covering only tuition and fees, not personal expenses, is as follows:
       - 350,000 Baht for a student holding a Master’s degree with adequate
background in religious studies
       - 560,000 Baht for a student holding a Bachelor’s degree
Notes:   
       1). The cost is subject to change.
       2). For those who hold a Master’s degree in non-related fields may incur additional cost expenses.

Program Curriculum

       The Program consists of Plan 1 and Plan 2. Applicants must select either Plan 1 or 2.
               1.  Plan 1: Research Only  
A student is required to successfully pass qualifying examination and complete dissertation research (48 credit hours).
               2.  Plan 2: Coursework and Research   
                     (1)   A student holding a Bachelor’s degree must take not less than 102 credits to pursue a Doctoral degree.
                     (2)   A student holding a Master’s degree must take not less than 63 credits to pursue a Doctoral degree.

Curriculum Structure
       The program is designed based on the requirements set by the Ministry of
Education in the announcement entitled “Standard Criteria for Graduate studies 2005”
(Plan 1 and Plan 2).
      1 Plan 1: Research Only
A. A student with a Master’s degree
Dissertation                                                               48  credits
             Total           48  credits
      2 Plan 2: Coursework and Research
               A. A student with a Bachelor’s degree
(1)  Core Courses                                                            24  credits
(2)  Required Courses                                                      18  credits
(3)  Elective Courses no less than                                     12   credits
(4)  Dissertation                                                                48  credits
       Total          102 credits

B. A Student with a Master’s degree
(1)  Core Courses                                                             12  credits
(2)  Required Courses                                                        9  credits
(3)  Elective Courses no less than                                        6  credits
(4)  Dissertation                                                               36  credits
         Total           63  credits
                                   

Course Requirements
               1.   Core Courses                                         Credits (lecture-practice-self study)
CRRS 500    Research Methods in Social Sciences                                  3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 501    Eastern Religions                                                                 3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 502    Western Religions                                                                3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 503    Native Religious Traditions                                                   3 (3 – 0 – 6)                        
CRRS 600    Theory and Method in the Study of Religion                          3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 601    Women in Major World Religions                                         3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 602    Religion and Humanities                                                         3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 603    Myth, Symbol and Ritual                                                        3 (3 – 0 – 6)
Note for Year One:  In year one, a student with a Master’s degree is required to complete the core curriculum (CRRS 600, 601, 602, and 603). A student with a Bachelor’s degree or with a Master’s degree in other fields is advised to take the following courses (or equivalent): CRRS 500, 501, 502, and 503 prior to the Ph.D. courses.

                    2.  Required Courses             
                    Required Courses are divided into 4 majors including
                                (1) Buddhist Studies
                                (2) Interreligious Dialogue
                                (3) Religion and Science
                                (4) Religion and Psychology

Track 1: Buddhist Studies
            All students in Track 1 must complete courses CRRS 604, 605 and a canonical language course at the advanced level (606 or 607). Students with a B.A. degree or with an M.A. degree in a non-related field are advised to take the following courses (or equivalent): CRRS 504, 505, and one of the canonical language courses (506 or 507) prior to the Ph.D. courses.

CRRS 504       History and Practices of Thai Buddhism                                         3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 505    Issues in Contemporary Buddhist Society                                          3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 506       Intermediate Readings in Canonical Texts in Pali                             3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 507       Intermediate Readings in Canonical Texts in Sanskrit                      3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 604       Theory and Practice of Thai Buddhist Meditation                            3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 605       Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Philosophy and Practice        3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 606       Advanced Readings in Canonical Texts in Pali                                 3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 607       Advanced Readings in Canonical Texts in Sanskrit                           3 (3 – 0 – 6)

Track 2: Interreligious Dialogue
            All students in Track 2 must complete the required courses CRRS 616, 617, and 618.
Students with a B.A. degree or with an M.A. degree in a non-related field are advised to take the following courses (or equivalent): CRRS 513, 514, and 515, prior to the Ph.D. courses.                      
                    Credits (lecture-practice-self study)
CRRS 513       Principles and History of Interreligious Dialogue                              3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 514       Culture and Religion                                                                       3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 515       Ethical Issues in Interreligious Dialogue                                           3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 616       Principles and History of Interreligious Dialogue                              3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 617       Religion and Culture                                                                       3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 618       Interreligious Dialogue                                                                     3 (3 – 0 – 6)

Track 3: Religion and Science
All students in Track 3 must complete the required courses CRRS 622, 623, and 624.
Students with a B.A. degree or with an M.A. degree in a non-related field are advised to take the following courses (or equivalent): CRRS 522, 523, and 524, prior to the Ph.D. courses.
CRRS 522       Religion and Science                                                                          3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 523       Health, Healing and Religion                                                               3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 524       Mind, Body and Spirit: Scientific, Philosophical and
Religious Perspectives                                                                                                3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 622       Religion and Science                                                                           3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 623       Biological and Religious Views of Evolution/Creationism                      3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 624       Health, Healing, and Religion                                                               3 (3 – 0 – 6)

Track 4: Religion and Psychology
            All students in Track 4 must complete the required courses CRRS 633, 634, and 635.
Students with a B.A. degree or with an M.A. degree in a non-related field are advised to take the following courses (or equivalent): CRRS 532, 533, and 539, prior to the Ph.D. courses.
CRRS 532       Seminar on Moral Development and Education                                 3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 533       Theories and Methods of Teaching                                                   3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 539       Fundamentals of Counseling Methods                                               3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 633       Religion and Psychology                                                                   3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 634       Neuropsychology                                                                             3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 635       Comparative Healing Methods: Religion and Psychology                   3 (3 – 0 – 6)

Track 1: Buddhist Studies
            All students in Track 1 are required to choose and complete 2 elective courses (6 credits) from the list below (CRRS 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, or 615). Students with a B.A. degree or with an M.A. degree in a non-related field are advised to take at least two of the following courses (or equivalent):  CRRS 508, 509, 510, 511, or 512, prior to the Ph.D. courses.

CRRS 508       History and Philosophical Development                                  3 (3 – 0 – 6)
of Western Buddhism                                                            
CRRS 509       Buddhism in South Asia                                                         3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 510       Buddhism in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)                        3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 511       Buddhism in Tibet                                                                  3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 512       Buddhism in Southeast Asia                                                    3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 608       Indigenous Religions of Buddhist Southeast Asia                     3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 609       Theravada Buddhist Thought                                                  3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 610       Buddhism and Western Psychology                                        3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 611       Comparative Healing Methods in Buddhism and Western
Psychology                                                                                                    3 (3 – 0 – 6)    
CRRS 612       Buddhist Ethics                                                                      3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 613       Buddhism and the Arts                                                           3 (3 – 0 – 6)
                    Credits (lecture-practice-self study)
CRRS 614       Women in Buddhism                                                              3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 615       Hindu Influence in Buddhist Southeast Asia                            3 (3 – 0 – 6)
SHHU 637      Buddhist Hermeneutics and Critical Methods                          3 (3 – 0 – 6)
SHHU 659      Buddhist Monasticism                                                            3 (3 – 0 – 6)
SHHU 661      Relics in Buddhist Traditions                                                    3 (3 – 0 – 6)
SHHU 664      Modern Movements in Theravada Buddhism                            3 (3 – 0 – 6)

Track 2: Interreligious Dialogue
            All students in Track 2 are required to choose and complete 2 elective courses (6 credits) from the list below (CRRS 619, 620, or 621). Students with a B.A. degree or with an M.A. degree in a non-related field are advised to take at least two of the following courses (or equivalent): CRRS 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, or 521, prior to the Ph.D. courses.
CRRS 516       Cultures of Southeast Asia                                                           3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 517       Religion and Non-Profit Organization Management                       3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 518       Indian and Chinese Cultural Influences and Immigrant Communities
in Southeast Asia                                                                                                  3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 519       Globalization and Religion                                                             3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 520       Economics and Religion                                                                3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 521       Politics and Religion                                                                      3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 619       The State, Ethics, and Religion                                                      3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 620       Comparative Eastern and Western Philosophy                               3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 621       Economics and Religion                                                                 3 (3 – 0 – 6)                
GRHR 610      Human Rights Theory                                                                     3 (3 – 0 – 6)
GRHR 612      Theories of Peace and Conflict                                                        3 (3 – 0 – 6)
GRHR 613      Conflict and Security                                                                        3 (3 – 0 – 6)

Track 3: Religion and Science
           All students in Track 3 are required to choose and complete 2 elective courses (6 credits) from the list below (CRRS 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, or 632). Students with a B.A. degree or with an M.A. degree in a non-related field are advised to take at least two of the following courses (or equivalent): CRRS 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, or 531, prior to the Ph.D. courses.

CRRS 525       Comparative Medicine: Acupuncture, Hindu Yoga,
Homeopathy and Internal Medicine                                                                     3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 526       Interaction of Folk Medicine, Traditional Medicine and
Chinese Medicine within Southeast Asia                                                              3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 527       Philosophy, Religion and Darwinism                                            3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 528       Great Thinkers in Religion and Science                                        3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 529       Religion and Science in Southeast Asia                                        3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 530       Celibacy’s Effect on Mental and Physical Health:
Religious and Scientific Perspectives                                                                    3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 531       Psychotherapy and Meditation                                                     3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 625       Biology, Genetics and Religion                                                     3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 626       Chemistry, Psychotropic                                                              3 (3 – 0 – 6)
Drugs and Religion                                                                     
CRRS 627       Philosophy of Science                                                                  3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 628       Healing Method: Hindu Yoga                                                       3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 629       Healing Method: Acupuncture                                                      3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 630       Environmental Studies in Religion and Science                              3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 631       Religion and Public Health Issues                                                  3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 632       Aging, Religion and Contemporary Society                                    3 (3 – 0 – 6)
Track 4: Religion and Psychology
All students in Track 4 are required to choose and complete 2 elective courses (6 credits) from the list below (CRRS 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, or 644). Students with a B.A. degree or with an M.A. degree in a non-related field are advised to take at least two of the following courses (or equivalent):  CRRS 523, 524, 531, 535, 536, or 537, prior to the Ph.D. courses.
                    Credits (lecture-practice-self study)
CRRS 523       Health, Healing and Religion                                                            3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 524       Mind, Body and Spirit: Scientific, Philosophical and
Religious Perspectives                                                                                             3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 531       Psychotherapy and Meditation                                                         3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 535       Early Childhood Psychology                                                            3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 536       Adolescent Psychology                                                                    3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 537       Abnormal Psychology                                                                      3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 636       Human Sexuality in Religion and Psychology                                     3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 637       Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology                                                3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 638       Clinical Psychology                                                                           3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 639       Psychopathology                                                                               3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 640       Death and Dying                                                                                3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 641       Religious and Psychological Notions of Insanity and Social
Responsibility                                                                                                             3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 642       Religious Conversion and Proselytization                                             3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 643       Fundamentalism, Violence and Non Violence                                      3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 644       Psychology of Prejudice and Stereotyping                                            3 (3 – 0 – 6)

                    4. Dissertation                                                       
CRRS 699    Dissertation                                                                          48/36 (0 – 144/108 – 0)

                    5. Research Projects of the Program                   
            In this program, research projects emphasize on the original and novel findings of topics related to religious studies. Many of the projects involve fieldwork. Several research projects, upon students’ interests, may lead to become their dissertation topics. The research projects help train students to conduct their research creatively, critically, and professionally.

Course Code Explanation

                Two first letters represent the abbreviated name of College.
                    CR = College of Religious Studies
                    SH = Faculty of Social and Humanities
                    GR = Faculty of Graduate Studies
                The third and fourth letters represent the abbreviated name of responsible units.
                    RS = College of Religious Studies
                    HU = Department of Humanities
                    HR = Office of Human Rights Studies and Social Development
                The first numbers (5XX and 6XX) represent postgraduate program level.

Study Plan

  Plan 1  For a student with a Master’s degree

   Plan 2
                     For students with Bachelor’s degree

         For a student with a Master’s degree

Qualifying Examination

            Before proceeding to work on their dissertations, students must successfully pass the qualifying examination (QE) during the first semester of their second year for M.A. students and the first semester of their third year for B.A. students. Students, who do not pass their first qualifying examination, are allowed to retake it ONLY for one more time (their second QE). The qualifying examination is held twice a year, in June (first semester) and in November (second semester). The examination will be arranged by the Committee, appointed especially for this purpose.

Quality Assurance of the Program

              1. Program Management
                        1.1 The instructor will prepare a syllabus that outlines the objectives and the scope of the course.
                        1.2 Instructors will be evaluated by the “The Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment” (ONESQA) twice a year, covering the period of January-June and July-December.
                        1.3 Annual seminar among faculty members and students to discuss and improve program curriculum, teaching evaluation techniques, and study environment.
                        1.4 Courses and instructors are routinely evaluated by students in each semester. Evaluation focuses on usefulness and importance of each course, its contents, qualifications of instructor(s) and methods of teaching. Results of evaluation are made available to the program committee and to responsible instructors for future improvement.
                        1.5 Development of teaching skills and knowledge through “ONESQA staff development program” which provides short-term and long-term training, research and teaching materials, and textbook/article production as well as participation in scientific conferences/seminars.

              2. Research and Teaching Resources
                        2.1 The implementing College has an up-to-date religious and philosophy library, which houses more than 12,000 titles of books and journals.
                        2.2 The Program provides computer facilities for students. The ratio of computer to student is 1:2.

              3. Student Supports and Mentoring Services
                        3.1 Encouraging self-study among students through various means including the use of internet for learning. Where possible, students are provided teaching or research assistantship as a means to develop teaching and research skills for their future career.
                        3.2 Encouraging and supporting students to present research papers in academic conferences/seminars.
                        3.3 Arranging a weekly seminar which provides an opportunity for students to present their work to the public.

              4. Market Demand and/or Employer’s Satisfaction
                        4.1 Conduct a survey of employment among graduates from the program every year.
                        4.2 Conduct a survey of employer’s satisfaction every year.

Existence of the Same or Similar Curricula at Other Thai Universities
              The Ph.D. program at Mahidol University’s College of Religious Studies will be unique in the breadth of its offerings, especially when one sees the program as a whole with all four tracks of study – Buddhist Studies, Interreligious Dialogue, Religion and Science and Religion and Psychology. These tracks complement one another and serve the same purpose of producing competent graduates with religious orientation. Presently there is no comparable program in other Thai universities.  Buddhist Studies is offered in some universities such as Mahamakutrajawittayalai, Mahachulalongkornrajawittayalai, Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University. Buddhist Studies at the College differs from what is offered by them both in terms of content and purpose.
              Additionally the graduate programs of the College stress the comprehensive study of religion as human experience and its relationship to modern secular disciplines such as health sciences. These programs also have thematic courses such as Women in Religion, Religion and Culture; and courses that address the native traditions.  These types of courses make the graduate programs unique in Thailand, and, in many ways, equivalent to many of the programs one can find in distinguished universities of the West.

Collaboration with Other Departments / Institutions
              The College of Religious Studies at Mahidol University will work in collaboration with international scholars already working in these fields at other universities and colleges, as well as with interested scholars at Mahidol University such as those teaching in the International Doctoral Program of Buddhist Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and in the International Doctoral Program of Human Rights and Peace Studies at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and other Thai universities such cooperation is primarily in the form of teaching, research, and organizing seminars and conferences. Apart from these, cooperation with foreign institutions involves exchange faculty members and students.

The College of Religious Studies has already established ties with several overseas institutions including:
        University of California; Santa Barbara, U.S.A.
        University of California; Riverside, U.S.A.
        Abo Akademi University; Turku, Finland
        DePaul University; Chicago, U.S.A.
        Graduate Theological Union; Berkeley, U.S.A.
        Institute of Islamic Studies; Semarang, Indonesia
        Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago; Chicago, U.S.A.
        Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies; Oxford, U.K.
        The Center for Theology and Natural Sciences; Berkeley, U.S.A.
        The Center for Spirituality and the Mind at the University of Pennsylvania;
        Philadelphia, U.S.A.
        The Zygon Center of Religion and Science; Chicago, U.S.A.

Program Development

              The program plans to develop in four different areas. First of all, we plan to expand the percentage of international students within our student body, although we always keep in mind that one of our primary goals is to improve the education level of Thai students. Secondly, we would like to expand the participation of foreign faculty within the program, in order to enrich the educational experience of our students. Thirdly, we would like to continue to develop connections with like-minded organizations throughout Asia and the rest of the world. And, lastly, although we already have a peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Religion and Culture which is published twice a year, there are plans to raise the standard of this journal so that it could be recognized as one of the premier journals in the field.
              In addition, every five years, the program will be assessed by the Ph.D. committee in order to ensure that the program continues to accord with international standards and provides satisfaction for both the employers of graduates and the graduates themselves. During this assessment, there will be an evaluation of the courses taught, the quality of the students’ research work, the supervision the students receive, and the quality of its faculty members’ research etc.

Faculty of the Program Information

1.   Professor Dr. Khunying Suriya Ratanakul

      Education   
            B.A. (French language and literature) First Class Honors,
            Chulalongkorn University
            Doctorat de l’Université de Paris (E@tudes Linguistiques et Extrême Orientales)

      Department and College
            College of Religious Studies

      Research Interests
            Anthropology of Religion, Religions of the Indigenous People,
            Myth and Ritual, Women and Religions

      Some research paper/academic projects
            1. Text book:  Western Civilizations, College of Religious Studies, (317 pages), 2000.
            2. Text book:   Western Civilization: the Romans, College of Religious Studies, (235 pages), 2001.
            3. Text book:   Introduction to Semantics, College of Religious Studies, (365 pages), 2001.
            4. Text book:  The Middle Age in Europe, College of Religious Studies, (208 pages), 2002.
            5. Text book:   From the Shang to the Sung, College of Religious Studies, (178 pages), 2002.
       6.Text book: The Indian Civilization, College of Religious Studies,(228pages), 2003.                                    
           7. Text book:   From the Ming to the People’s Republic of China,
College of Religious Studies, (219 pages), 2004.   
           8. Text book:   Rituals in Religions, College of Religious Studies,
(299 pages), 2006                                     
           9. A research article: “Karen spirits cult” to be published in the Journal of
Religions and Culture, College of Religious Studies, Jan. 2007.

                                      
      List of courses taught in the program

CRRS 601    Women in Major World Religions                          3 (3-0-6)
CRRS 603    Myth, Symbol and Ritual                                        3 (3-0-6)                 
CRRS 613    Buddhism and the Arts                                           3 (3-0-6)
CRRS 617    Religion and Culture                                               3 (3-0-6)
CRRS 699    Dissertation                                                    48/36 (0-144/108-0)             

2.   Associate Professor Dr. Pinit  Ratanakul

Education
           B.A (English) Honours, Chulalongkorn University,
           Ph.D. (Philosophy), Yale University

Department and Faculty/Institution/College
           College of Religious Studies

Research Interests
           Ethics, Religion and Science, Religion and Culture, Religion and
           Psychology

Some published research papers

 List of courses taught in the  program
CRRS 612    Buddhist Ethics                                                          3 (3-0-6)
CRRS 622    Religion and Science                                                  3 (3-0-6)
CRRS 624    Health, Healing, and Religion                                      3 (3-0-6)
CRRS 640    Death and Dying                                                        3 (3-0-6)
CRRS 699    Dissertation                                                    48/36 (0-144/108-0)             

3. Lect.Dr. Kyaw Than

Education
           B.A.(History), University of Rangoon
           Ph.D. (Divinity/Religion) S.E.Asia Graduate School of Theology

Department and Faculty/Institute/College :
           College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University
           Former professor, Yale University, U.S.A.
           Former professor, Vancouver School of Theology, British Columbia, Canada
           Exchange professor, State University of Oregon, USA

 Research Interest

           Ecumenics : The nature and unity of the Church; Inter-cultural and Inter-religious relations   

          # Ecumenical Movement  in the University World
          Seeking and Serving the Truth, Research Volume published by the History Working Group under  chairmanship of Kyaw Than for the Centenary of WSCF, an international university organization.

List of courses taught in the  program

CRRS 620       Comparative Eastern and Western Philosophy            3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 642       Religious Conversion and Proselytization                    3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 616       Principles and History of Interreligious Dialogue          3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 618       Interreligious Dialogue                                                3 (3 – 0 – 6)
CRRS 699       Dissertation                                                          48/36 (0-144/108-0)                     

4. Lect.Dr. Matthew Kosuta

Education
           B.A. (Honours.): University of Florida
           M.A.(Religious Studies) (sciences des religions), Université du Québec à Montréal.
           Ph.D.(Religious Studies) (sciences des religions), Université du Québec à Montréal.

Research Interests
           Theravada Buddhism, Buddhism in Southeast Asia, Phenomenology of Religions,Yoga, Karma, Religion and War, Ethics of War

Some Publications

Education
           Ph.D. (Comparative Religions), Comenius University in Bratislava (Slovak Republic)       
           M.A.  (Philosophy), Comenius University in Bratislava (Slovak Republic

Research Interests
           Theravada Buddhism
           Religion and Politics
           Mind in Buddhism and Western  Traditions
           Psychology of Religion
           Philosophy of Religion        
     
Some Publications
              Books: Consciousness Like the Ocean. Bratislava 2004

Articles and Studies (Selection)
           Pratityasamutpada in Mulamadhyamakakarika. In: Hieron II./1997, pp.43-54.
           An Interpretation of Mulamadhyamakakarika I. In: Studia Orientalia Slovaca 2/2003, pp.79-100.
           A Well Defined WIndescribable”. In: Hieron VI.-VII./2001-2002, pp.34-45.
           How to Die Correctly. Paths to Nibbana in Buddhist Theravada Tradition. In: Kovac.M., Kovacs. A. (eds.): The Roads to the Other-World, Bratislava 2005.
           Wat, Sagha and King. Socio-Political Role of the Buddhist Order in Thailand. In:Slobodnik, M.,            Kovacs,A. (ed.): Political Power vs.Religious Authority in Asia, Bratislava 2006, pp.167-191.
           Theravada Buddhism- an Incomplete Religion?, In: Hieron VIII.-IX./ 2003-2004