Faculty of Theology, University of Göttingen
The Göttingen Faculty of Theology is the divinity school at the University of Göttingen, officially denominated the "United Theological Departments" () but commonly referred to as the "Theological Faculty" ()". "It was instituted at the foundation of the University, in 1737, along with the three other original faculties of Law, Medicine, and Philosophy (or Arts). Over the centuries, the Göttingen Faculty of Theology has been home to many influential scholars and movements, including the rise of historical criticism, Ritschlianism, the History of Religions School, and Dialectical Theology. Its members were also involved in the Göttingen School  of History. A Protestant institution, the "Theologische Fakultät" has long consisted of the five traditional disciplines of theology—Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Church History, Systematic Theology, and Practical Theology—but now includes Religious Studies as well. The faculty has numerous projects, programs, and partnerships with other centers, departments, and faculties across the University as well as the Göttingen Graduate School of Humanities and the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Besides the Göttingen State and University Library—which stands across from the Faculty's home, the "Theologicum—"the Faculty of Theology maintains its own specialist library, with current holdings  of 170,000 volumes and 250 periodicals. Academics. The Faculty of Theology educates University students at all levels, for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. (Historically, the Doctor of Theology was considered the highest academic rank, and at the University's foundation, it was mostly reserved for honorary purposes.) It also trains ordinands for the Confederation of Protestant Churches in Lower Saxony. To support its students, the Faculty of Theology runs the Theologisches Stift. This residential college—initiated by Isaak August Dorner modelled on the Tübinger Stift—has its origins in an earlier theological seminary and numbers among the University 's oldest institutions. Departments. The Faculty is divided into six primary departments, with their own dedicated chairs, researchers, lecturers, and support staff. Special Research Sections. In addition, the Göttingen Faculty of Theology houses other sections for specialized research. These sections often cut across departments within the faculty and involve other faculties as well. They include, among others, the following: Major Research Projects. Scholars at the Göttingen Faculty of Theology have launched substantial research undertakings, often in partnership with other institutions. Larger and longer-running ones among them include the following: People. Notable Members. The following are notable past and present  senior associates of the Faculty of Theology: Notable Students. The following are notable students of the Faculty of Theology: