MA Traditions of Yoga and Meditation (2019 Entry)

Location
United Kingdom, - London
Dates
Dates flexible
Course Type
Postgraduate Course
Accreditation
-
Language
English
Price
$12,494

Course Overview

Overview:

The thematic components and cross-regional perspectives typically suit students with the following interests and/or aspirations:

  • Experienced practitioners of yoga and meditation who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that shaped their traditions.
  • Students with a background in psychology seeking to gain knowledge of meditation and mindfulness for their clinical work.
  • Students planning to pursue further research which may involve, at a subsequent stage, the acquisition of a doctoral degree and a career in higher education.
  • Students seeking to pursue a career or professional activity for which advanced knowledge of the yoga and meditation traditions of Asia is required.
  • Students who wish to pursue the academic study of these traditions as a complement to their personal experience.

This degree explores the origins and historical development of yoga and meditation in India and Tibet, from ancient times to the modern world. It would suit yoga/meditation teachers, practitioners, students of religion as well as those with a background in psychology interested in mindfulness therapy.

Full-time and Part-time Study is available.

The Modules run:

  • Monday evening: 5.00-7.00 pm
  • Wednesday: 11.00-1.00, 1.00-3.00, 5.00-7.00 pm

The thematic, but inter-regional, focus of this MA programme promotes the academic study of the different traditions through the deployment of a wide range of regional perspectives. Its core unit explores the methodological foundations at the heart of yoga/meditation practice. The specialist components integrated within this MA are organised to serve as platform for further (MPhil/PhD) graduate research; the more general components of the programme provides those students who do not intend to pursue doctoral research with an advanced introduction to the physiological dynamics, doctrinal foundations, history, regional context and theoretical presuppositions that shaped the traditions of yoga and meditation. The programme thus offers students (a) advanced knowledge of the background to, and understanding of, yoga and meditation, from their origin in ancient India; (b) advanced skills in research and writing on topics that pertain to yoga/meditation, drawing on both primary sources (in translation) and secondary sources; (c) advanced skills in presentation and communication of their knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures.

The reading materials connected to all four courses of this MA programme are largely disseminated through online resources. Essay submission takes place either in hard copy or electronically.

Fees 2019/20:

  • UK/EU fees:

Who should take this course

Interested Students.

Course content

Structure:

Students must complete 120 credits of MA taught modules in addition to the compulsory dissertation (60 credits).

About Course Provider

Our mission is to inspire the next generation to develop ideas for a fairer and more sustainable world. We welcome the brightest minds from over 130 different countries, creating a community that is diverse, vibrant and multinational. From day one at our central London campus, our students are encouraged to challenge conventional views and think globally – and that’s one of the reasons why they develop careers that make a real difference. A SOAS student is typically passionate about their subject, opts to learn a second language, loves to learn, to travel, to be surprised; and is interested and engaged with the world around them.