ThM/PhD  in Orality Studies

Launching fall 2022, AGST now offers a ThM/PhD in Orality Studies in a flexible format. Half the coursework may be completed online, as well as part-time. Face-to-face and hybrid courses are at AGST (Manila) and other extension campuses. The flexible learning model makes it possible for students to engage remotely from their ministry locations, limiting their need to travel to Manila.

This cutting edge ThM to PhD program in Orality Studies is the first of its kind in the world, and addresses the growing demand for high quality orality scholarship, research, and practice. The Orality Studies Program pairs global orality experts with Majority World practitioners and scholars to ensure the best contextual, applicable, and diverse learning experience and research.

Purpose: Why ThM/PhD in Orality Studies?  

The 80% . . .

Current mission research indicates that over 80% of the global population rely highly on oral communication and since COVID their numbers increased.  The next generations emerging may be able to read but depend much less on text and print, as evidenced by the unending stream of YouTube and other virtual and experienced based learning platforms.

The Growing Gap

At the same time, nearly 100% of seminary graduates use highly literate models to teach biblical and missional content. In many Global South regions, literacy rates are dropping due to economic crises, conflict, and inaccessible schools.

90% of the unreached peoples of the world live in the Global South and particularly in 10/40 Window.  The lion’s share of theological educators were either trained in the West or by the West using Low Orality Reliant methods of teaching, assessment, and outputs (books & publications).

Our Bible schools and seminaries excel in WHAT they teach, but rarely excel in how to connect with the Oral Majority the way Jesus did and taught His disciples.  The 15^th-20^th centuries gathered students on site, taught through lectures, provided large physical libraries.  Now we must transition to multi-site/virtual portals, active learning, and limitless virtual libraries/resources.

Practical Matters: How does it Work?

Academic Alternatives

The OSP combines academic reflection and quality mentoring helping students craft contextualized research projects through intensive courses taught by orality experts. We practice what we teach.  Courses require much more reflection, interaction and active learning. Assignments and assessments may be completed with equal academic rigor, but in other modes of communication besides written reports, papers and dissertations.

Location and Residence Alternatives

Up to half the coursework be done virtually as professors and students interact as the future of higher education will require. On site courses may be completed at either AGST in Manila or the AGST Extension Campuses (launching in the next few years), depending on student locations.

Only one in-person session per Year currently is required so that students build their cohort for a lifetime of collaboration between their home institutions, Asia Graduate School of Theology, and the hundreds of scholar-practitioners comprising the International Orality Network.

Faculty: Who will teach me?

Dr. Cameron Armstrong
Program Director

Dr. Cameron Armstrong holds a PhD in Intercultural Education from Biola University in La Mirada, California, USA. The author of several books, journal articles, conference papers, and book reviews, Cameron’s most recent book is a volume he co-edited with Dr. Tom Steffen, New and Old Horizons in the Orality Movement: Expanding the Firm Foundations. Cameron is married to Jessica, and they have two young children, Sara and Noah. The Armstrongs serve as missionaries with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. Cameron also serves on the preaching team at International Baptist Church of Manila, where his family attends. Prior to moving to Manila, Philippines in March 2022, Cameron and his family served in Bucharest, Romania for ten years. Before his experience on the mission field, Cameron lived in Yokohama, Japan, in third and fourth grades, taught for one year in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and has visited several countries around Asia.

Areas of interest: orality, missiology, intercultural studies, Majority World Theologies

International Affiliate Faculty

Tuition/Fees:

Host School: Asian Theological Seminary

New Applications Open: January 1

Applications Period Closes: May 1

Notification of Acceptance: June 1

New Cohort Begins: August 1

For more information, contact our Program Director, Dr. Cameron Armstrong at cameron@ats.ph

Orality and the Mission of God