About the Department

The Department of Christian Studies was started in 1984 as an Endowment Chair in Christianity during the post-centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the University of Madras.  It was inaugurated by Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  Presently the Department is one of the mainline Departments of the University of Madras and it offers two P. G. programmes (M. A. in Christian Studies and M. A. Christian Scriptures), M. Phil., Ph.D. and four P.G. Diploma programmes (P. G. Diploma in Ethics and Human Resource Management, P. G. Diploma in Ethics and Biotechnology P. G. Diploma in Spirituality and Counselling, P. G. Diploma in Biblical Languages and Interpretation) and three Certificate programmes (Christian Scriptures and Interpretation, Christian Communication and Media Education [Self-Supportive] and Christian Scriptures, Spiritual Practices and Ethics [Self-Supportive]).

Objective

• Scientific study, research, and analysis of the Christian scripture and traditions with a concern for evolving contextual theologies, promoting inter-religious understanding, and serving the cause of social transformation
• Study Christianity in relation to other religions of India and to the social, cultural, and political contexts of India, especially of Tamilnadu
• Promote job-oriented courses linking religion and ethics with emerging fields of specialisations today.
• Work towards establishing a Centre for Advanced Study and research in Christianity

Mission

• Introducing Christian education in secular higher educational institutes of the country to promote inter-religious understanding and social transformation

Vision

•   To engage in scientific study and research of religion and religious scriptures from a comparative perspective
• To respond to the ethical challenges and dilemmas of our modern society from an inter-disciplinary perspective
• To contribute to social transformation by researching into religious and cultural resources

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Launch of Journals

• The Department of Chritian Studies has launched a bi-annual research journal by name "Indian Journal of Christian Studies". It will carry research articles relating Christianity to social, cultural and other public issues.