Paurastya Vidyapitham

Courses

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Scheme of Courses

1     Pre – Philosophy Course                               1 Year
2     Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy               2 Years
3     Bachelor’s Degree in Theology                   4 Years
4     Master’s Degree in Theology                       2 Years
5     Doctor’s Degree in Theology Minimum    2 years.
In accordance with Sapientia Christiana art. 72, the curriculum of studies at this Institute will comprise three successive cycles at University level as the following.

1. The First Cycle or Institutional Course

2. The Second Cycle or Specialization Course

3. The Third Cycle or Higher Research CourseI.

1. First Cycle

a. The first Cycle of studies shall comprise of five years which is divided into two stages.

b. The first stage comprises of two years, during which the students will be given courses in languages (English and Malayalam), principal philosophical subjects and some initiation courses in Scripture, Liturgy and Spirituality. The possibility is given to the students at this stage to appear for the B.A. in Philosophy examination at the Mahatma Gandhi or Kerala University.

c. The second stage comprises of three years. During this stage the students shall be given courses properly required for the Bachelor’s Degree in Theology.

2. Second Cycle

Those who attain the Bachelor’s Degree in Theology can proceed to the courses for M.Th, or for the specialized Licentiate in Theology comprising of two years of studies according to the prescription of the ‘Special Norms’ of Sapientia Christiana art. 72.b.

3. Third Cycle

The Doctor’s Degree can be conferred only after an appropriate period of two years of research work and the publication, at least in part, of a doctoral thesis. The candidate for doctorate, besides doing the courses of studies prescribed for him, shall do research work on a theme approved by the Syndicate and prepare a thesis under the direction of a professor approved for it by the Syndicate

Admission

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1. For admission to the Institute as a student one must be presented:

a. By the Rector of the seminary, if he resides in the Seminary.

b. By one’s proper Superior if the applicant is a religious or cleric residing outside.

c. By testimonial letter from an ecclesiastic acceptable to the Institute in the case of other applicants.

2. Minimum requirements for admission to the first year of studies are:

a. Ten + 2 pass certificate or its equivalent.

b. The completion of one year of special training in English and Latin (or Syriac) and other subjects according to a Syllabus approved by the Institute.

3. Promotion to a new academic year. Degree course students will not be allowed to begin a new academic year, if they have still to be improved in two or more main subjects of previous year.

4. For admission to the second (theology) stage of the first cycle:

a. An applicant must have completed a two year course of philosophy.

b. He must have a working knowledge of Greek, Latin and Syriac so as to be able to translate the easy N.T. portions, the documents of the Ecclesiastical Magisterium, and the liturgical and patristic texts.

5. Admission to the Higher cycles:

a. For admission to the second cycle (Cycle of specialization) the applicant should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, canonically valid with a second class pass in the examination.

b. In case of students coming from other theological Faculties having a Bachelor’s Degree canonically valid with less than a second class pass, the Faculty reserves to itself the right to conduct an entrance examination at the direction of the President and two Professors of the Faculty.

c. An exception may be made for those students who enter second cycle after completing two years of philosophy and four years of theological studies in Catholic seminaries, following an examination of the programme covered and the vote of the Syndicate

Affiliated Institutions

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1. Oriental institute of theology for religious sisters

(Paurastya Vidyanikethan)

The Oriental Institute of Theology for Religious Sisters (Paurastya Vidyanikethan) at the Missionary Orientation Centre, Vidyanagar, Kottayam was affiliated to the Oriental Theological Faculty of Paurastya Vidyapitham by the congregation for Catholic Education, Rome, through its decree N. 1032/38 dated 25th August 1989. By virtue of this affiliation the students who satisfy the prescribed requirements at the Oriental Institute of Theology for Religious Sisters can obtain the degree of Bachelor of Theology. The Institute has at present 30 sisters from various religious congregations inscribed for the B.Th. course.

2. Higher institute of religious sciences

(Mar Thoma vidyanikethan)

The higher Institute of Religious Science for the Laity (Mar Thoma Vidyanikethan) at Changanacherry has as sponsoring faculty the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Religious Studies or Paurastya Vidyapitham. This Institute was officially erected by the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome, through its decree N. 757/90/10 dated 20th April 1991. The students who satisfy the prescribed requirements at this Institute obtain the degree of Master in Religious Science.

3. Ruhalaya College of Theology, Ujjain

Ruhalaya College of Theology, the theology department of the seminary of the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle, was affiliated to PVP (Decree No. 1068/2006/4) on September 15, 2006. It offers Bachelor of Theology Course and aims at theological, missionary-pastoral formation of its students in tune with the ecclessial tradition of the Syro-Malabar Church and the socio-cultural and religious background of North India.

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS

The Institute maintains close links with the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome and collaborates with the Ecclesiastical Faculties of India. It envisages to establish appropriate forms of collaboration with the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture, Kottayam, and also with organizations promoting research in the fields of religion and culture.

News

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Proving their mettle in exam

Course Requirements

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a. The academic year is divided into two semesters. At the end of each semester there shall be some days of study leave to prepare for examinations.

b. The number of minimum class days including days of study leave and examinations shall be fixed by the Syndicate.

c. Courses are divided into Main and Subsidiary, Obligatory and Optional, Institutional and Special.

d. In the teaching of subjects the following methods may be used: lectures, seminars, reading and evaluation of books and articles, tutorials and research projects, the general programmes of which shall be approved by the Syndicate and determined in detail by the President.

e. Besides the fundamental themes in main subjects, which may be offered as courses in common for all students, further elaborations may be offered according to special orientations like Biblical, Pastoral, Oriental, Patristic, Missiological and Comparative Religious studies.

First cycle

f. In addition to the required main and subsidiary subjects each degree candidate shall take and pass during the Institutional Cycle at least four optionals in the first stage and six in the second stage. The Basic Course Students shall take and pass at least two optionals in the first stage and three in the second stage.

g. In order to train the students in methods of personal research and study, during the first and second year of the first stage of the institutional cycle, degree course students shall participate in seminars, at least one per year. In the second stage of the institutional cycle they should participate every year in the work of one of the seminars and present an essay on a chosen subject under the direction of a teacher.

h. Students of Ist and 2nd year philosophy and of Ist, 2nd and 3rd year theology shall present written reviews of two serious books connected with the subject and approved by a teacher.

i. Basic course students shall take and pass the subjects assigned for them in the programme of each academic year. Degree course students who fail to secure the required marks in more than two main subjects shall be assigned to the basic course.

Second cycle

The course for the second cycle is divided as follows:

15 basic subjects : 30 credits

10 optional subjects : 10 credits

8 book reviews

2 seminars out of which one should be presented and discussed in the class. Besides, they should have successfully attended the languages prescribed for them.

Note some specific details:

a. At the beginning of the second cycle the candidate must select one of the special areas offered by the Faculty for specialization. One may not change it without serious reasons, subject to the judgement of the President.

b. There shall be a few courses common for all who follow the second cycle which are intended to prepare them for the specializatoin which the Faculty offers.

c. Besides these basic courses, students shall take and pass at least ten optional courses.

d. They shall also study and evaluate select literature in the field and other assignments for the scope of specialization.

e. Within these two years each student shall attend and pass two seminars, one lasting only for one semester and the other for two semesters and leading up to a written dissertation for M.Th. which shall be prepared under the direction of a Professor approved for it by the Syndicate. The written dissertation shall have a minimum of 15000 words.

Third cycle

The doctoral students should attend a prescribed number of subjects and pass in the examinations as given in the statutes and the Bye-laws. They should also do a research work, write a thesis and defend it. Some specific details may be noted here:

a. They should do 3 subjects if they have done their Master’s Degree course at the PV; others should do 5 subjects.

b. Two months after the registration at the institute, they should give in writing to the office the tentative programme on which they are going to make their research. This is subject to revision and final approval by the Syndicate later.

c. They should prepare a thesis under the direction of a professor approved for it by the Syndicate.

d. They should consult source books in at least one original language for the doctoral dissertation.

The scholarship is only for three years. If they do not submit the dissertation within five years, they should renew the registration of the theme at the PV.

Class Attendance

a. Students shall be regular at all lectures prescibed for their courses. One who is absent from lectures and academic exercises for more than a third of the year, even for a legitimate reason, is liable to repeat the year.

b. Absence of less than a third of the number of classes for the same subject may be compensated by supplementary work at the discretion of the teacher concerned.

c. If the absence is more than a third of the total number of classes for the same subject, for a justifiable reason, the student may be permitted to appear for the examination with an alternative arrangement approved by the President /Dean.

Examinations

a. Examination will be conducted at the end of each semester in the courses that have been completed during this semester. Students will be examined not only on the basis of lectures given in the class as specified in the prospectus, but also based on the literature related to the subject assigned for private and personal study.

b. No student shall be allowed to enroll:

1) for the examination of a subject if he has not attended the required number of classes and 2) for the examination for Certificate, Diploma and Degree if he has not been successful in all courses and exercises of the respective cycles.

c. For special courses evaluation may be made immediately at the end of the course.

2. a. In the main subjects examination will be either written or oral as specified by the bye-laws. In the subsidiary subjects the examinations can be substituted by a paper submitted by the student according to the direction of the professor.

b. The students shall be present for examinations at the appointed times. Postponement of examinations will be allowed by the president only for serious reasons and only on the recommendation of the teacher concerned.

Comprehensive Examination

a. At the end of the first cycle there will be comprehensive examination in Systematic Theology, Moral Theology, Scripture, Oriental studies including Church History, Patristics, Liturgy and Spirituality. This examination will be a ‘viva voce’ test for one hour before a board of examiners representing the four sections questioning the examinee for 15 minutes each.

b. The themes for the comprehensive examinations shall be approved by the Syndicate.

c. Apart from the Oral Examinations the B.Th. candidates should appear for a written examination on selected theses lasting for three hours.

d. The Comprehensive final examinations for Basic Course students, not aspiring to the Degree, in Systematic Theology will be written and that in Moral Theology will be oral.

e. There shall be comprehensive examination in philosophy at the end of the first stage of the institutional Cycle and it will be both oral lasting for one hour before a Board of 4 Examiners, and written on selected theses lasting for 3 hours.

Written Dissertation for B.Th.

At the beginning of the 5th Semester before the 30th of June of the second stage of the institutional Cycle, students aspiring for the Bachelor Degree in Theology have to select the topic for the Dissertation, and the Professor who will guide the work. The written dissertation must be submitted by the 6th semester before the final examination. It must have a minimum of 6000 words and maximum of 10000 words.

5. Written Dissertation for B.Ph

At the beginning of the 3rd semester before the 30th of June of the first stage of the institutional Cycle, students aspiring for the Bachelor Degree in Philosophy have to select the topic for the Dissertation and the Professor who will guide the work. The written dissertation must be submitted by the 4th semester before the final examination. It must have a minimum of 6000 words and a maximum of 10000 words.

Promotion

a. A minimum of 40% of marks is required to pass in any subject.

b. Marks will be awarded out of a total of 100 as follows:

Pass 40-49

Second class 50-59

First class 60-69

High first class 70-79

Distinction 80-100

NB: This marking system corresponds to the traditional Roman system: Pass 6, Second class 7-8, First class 9, Distinction 10.

c. In global evaluation the mark is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of individual marks by the number of the examiners. In the final computation half a mark counts as one.

Repetition of Examinations

If anyone fails in a subject, the examination in the respective subject shall be repeated. Such examinations shall be conducted at the beginning of the following semester. The examinations that are deferred for other reasons shall be conducted at the time fixed by the President. Those who fail in Degree examinations may repeat the examination only once, at the end of the following semester.

Basic Course Students

Besides Degree Course students who aspire for an academic degree, the Institute admits also Basic Course students.

The Basic Course students are those who do not aspire for an academic degree, but are required to do the courses in the departments concerned. The Syndicate may exempt them from some of the electives prescribed for the Degree Course Students. Moreover they are neither required to take the comprehensive ‘viva voce’ examination nor to do the dissertation prescribed for the Degree Course Students. They may be awarded Diplomas or Certificates corresponding to the studies they have made in the Institute.

Academic Bodies 2009 – 2010

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Syndicate

Ex-Officio Members

President
Rector
Vice President
Librarian
HOD of Philosophy
HOD of Theology
Procurator of the Seminary Finance Officer of PV
Registrar
Controller of Exams

Elected Members from Professors and Lecturers

Rev. Dr. John MoolanRev. Dr. Thomas KoonammakalRev. Dr. James PuliurumpilRev. Dr Alex TharamangalamRev. Dr. Antony Kamukumpallil

Senate

1. Ex-Officio Members

President
Rector of the Seminary
Vice-President
Registrar
Controller of Exams
HOD of Philosophy
HOD of Theology
Finance Officer
Librarian
Principal, Paurastya Vidyanikethan
Rector, St. Ephrem’s Theological College, Satna
Rector, Ruhalaya College of Theology, Ujjain, M.P.
Rector, C.Ss.R. Study House
The Professors and Lecturers of PVP

2. Nominated Members

Rev. Fr. Sebastian Pattathil (Parish Priest)Prof. Babu Thomas (Principal, St. Stephen’s College, Uzhavoor)Adv. K.C.George Kalarickal (Legal Advisor)Dr. Mendus Jacob (Lay Educationist)

3. Elected Members

a. Representatives of the Minor Seminary Rectors Rev. Fr. Mackolil JosephRev. Fr. Panjikkaran Sebastianb. Students’ Representatives Rev. Sr. Anu George A.O (D.Th.)Rev. Fr. Kulathingal Mathew (M.Th.)Rev. Bro. Pulickan Joseph (B.Th.)Rev. Bro. Vengaloor Mathew (B.Ph.)

Staff Council

All the permanent professors and teachers of the Institute form the Staff Council.

Faculty Council

All the permanent teachers of the respective Faculty.One non-permanent teacher from the respective Faculty elected by the non-permanent teachers with an absolute majority for a period of one year.Two students elected from the respective Faculties with absolute majority for a period of one year.

Authorities

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Chancellor	HIS BEATITUDE MAR GEORGE ALENCHERRY, Major Archbishop of Syro Malabar Church
Vice Chancellor	His Grace MAR MATHEW MOOLAKKAT, Chairman, Synodal Commission for the Seminary and Paurastya Vidyapitham
President	Rev. Dr. Vincent Alappat
Vice President	Rev. Dr. James Thalachelloor
Registrar	Rev. Prof. Dr. Lazar Kuttikkatt
Controller of Examinations	Rev. Dr. Paul Vellarackal
Finance Officer	Rev. Dr. James Puliurumpil
Librarian	Rev. Dr. Sebastian Chalakkal
Heads of Departments
P.G. Section	Rev. Dr. James Thalachelloor (Vice President)
Theology	Rev. Dr. Scaria Kanniyakonil
Philosophy	Rev. Dr. Joy Ainiyadan
Office Secretary	Mr. Varghese Mathew

General Orientation

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The programme of formation at this Institute aims at the development of fully integrated priestly personality, and therefore takes into account the human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and missionary dimensions of priestly formation. With this end in view the programme of studies co-ordinates the fields of Humanities, Philosophy, Theology, Bible and Eastern Christian Studies in such a way as to present the Mystery of Christ harmoniously to the students.

The specific aims of the Institute are the following:

To cultivate and promote through scientific research the patrimony of Christian wisdom of both East and West with special emphasis on Biblical, Patristic, Oriental, Syrian and Indian traditions.
To enunciate systematically the truths contained in the Biblical, Patristic, Liturgical and Spiritual traditions of Eastern Ecclesiastical heritage and to present them to the people of the present day in a manner adapted to the local cultural context.
To impart a Theological and Pastoral formation to the candidates for priesthood.
To train its students to a level of high qualification in the Sacred Sciences and allied subjects according to Catholic doctrine, to prepare them properly to face their tasks in the various fields of apostolate and to promote the continuing permanent education of the Ministers of the Church as well as other sections of the people of God.
To Promote the study and investigation of the writings of the Oriental Fathers and writers and of the Theological, Spiritual, Liturgical and Disciplinary heritage of the Oriental Churches of India.
To promote ecumenical studies and investigate traditions of the various Christian Churches with special reference to the actual situation of India.

Paurastya Vidyapitham – Profile

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Paurastya Vidyapitham is the local name given to the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Religious Studies which is an autonomous faculty of Theology erected at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. This Seminary has been established by the Congregation for the Oriental Churches through the letter No. 260 / 59, dated April 26, 1962. It is primarily intended for the education and formation of the seminarians of all the Syro – Malabar Eparchies and also of the Syro- Malankara Eparchies. It is also open to all the Eparchies of the other Churches and in particular of the Latin Church of Kerala for sending their seminarians. The Seminary is subject to the authority and control of the Syro – Malabar Bishop’s Synod, which exercises its authority through a specially elected Synodal Commission.

By a decree of the Congregation for the Catholic Education Prot. No. 674/72/13, the Theological Department of the Seminary was affiliated to the Faculty of Oriental Ecclesiastical Sciences at the Pontifical Oriental Institute Rome on the 21st of February 1973. After an experimental period of 4 years, the affiliation was renewed and extended by the letter of the Congregation for the Catholic Education, dated April 10, 1977. Then realizing the important role of this seminary in the life of the Oriental Churches of India and taking into account its steady growth in the past years the Congregation for Catholic Education erected its academic section into an independent Theological Faculty with right to confer the degrees of B. Th. (Bachelor of Theology), M. Th. (Master of Theology) and D. Th. (Doctor of Theology) through the decree “Perinisigne Fidei Christianae Testimonium” on July 3, 1982 on the Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India.

On August 15, 1985 the Department of Philosophy at this Faculty was given the power to confer the degree of B. Ph. (B.A. in Philosophy). The Institute was authorized officially to commence the Doctoral Course by the letter of the Congregation for the Catholic Education dated November 28, 1986.