Taught course

Cultural Astronomy and Astrology

Institution
University of Wales Trinity Saint David · School of Archaeology, History and Anthropology
Qualifications
MA

Entry requirements

The normal entry qualification is a good first degree (2:1 or equivalent in UK grading) in an appropriate arts/humanities/social sciences area including History, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Theology and/or Religious Studies.

If you have a good first degree — a BA or BSc — in another discipline and/or substantial relevant background experience and evidence of relevant study then discuss this with the Programme Director.

If you have a 2:2 degree (in UK grading), then we may advise you to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma, and you can then progress to the MA after successful completion of the six taught modules.

If you have a degree from outside the UK, which did not use the UK’s grading system, you should contact the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion.

Months of entry

February, October

Course content

Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) is a unique course that deals with the ways in which human beings attribute meaning to the planets, stars and sky, and construct cosmologies that provide the basis for culture and society.

Why Cultural Astronomy and Astrology?

We are all creatures of the universe: every atom in our bodies has passed through three stars – we are literally stardust.

For thousands of years, human beings have speculated about their physical, emotional and psychic connections with the sky, stars and planets - and the results manifest across beliefs and behaviour, from spirituality and the sacred to creativity and the arts, and from politics to architecture.

Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) is the only academic degree in the world to examine our relationship with the cosmos.

The programme draws on different disciplines from the Humanities in order to gain as full a view as possible of the entire subject. Through history, we look to the past, and through anthropology, we study the present. We also draw on archaeology, sociology, philosophy and the study of religions.

The words astronomy and astrology have distinct meanings in the modern world:

Astronomy is the scientific study of the physical universe.

Astrology is the practice of relating heavenly bodies to lives and events on earth

The split between astronomy and astrology is a feature of modern western thought.

Cultural Astronomy is the study of the application of beliefs about the stars to all aspects of human culture.

It includes the new discipline of archaeoastronomy: studying astronomical alignments, orientation and symbolism in ancient and modern architecture. Astrology also exists in some form in most cultures.

In the MA we examine the relationship between astrological, astronomical and cosmological beliefs and practices, and society, politics, religion and the arts, past and present.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MA
    full time
    24 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification
    part time
    48 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Dr Nicholas Campion
Email
n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk