Bath Spa University College
The Sophia Centre
Centre for the Study of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology

The Centre is an academic body within the School of Historical and Cultural Studies at Bath Spa University College. It is housed in the Sophia Centre (pictured below).

At present the department offers a Masters programme in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. The department also accepts PhD research students and plans to develop BA modules within other disciplines at the University College.

The Centre studies the impact of astrological and astronomical beliefs on cultures, religions, politics and the arts. Beliefs about the influence of the stars upon human affairs have affected the political, cultural and religious development of different societies, from the past to the present day. Whilst the scientific study of astronomy is well established in universities, the academic study of astronomy and astrology from a cultural perspective has not been the specific focus of research of a university department in the West for over three hundred years. Thus the Study of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at Bath Spa University College is a new and exciting advance for the academic world.

The Centre is part of the University College’s trend-setting School of Historical and Cultural Studies, which includes the History, Media and Cultural Studies and Study of Religions departments. The Study of Religions department, with which the Centre is closely associated, has a particularly strong tradition of innovative undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research (including aspects such as New Age religions and contemporary paganism).

The Centre has been set up with financial support from the Sophia Trust, a charity established for advancing education through teaching the relationship between knowledge and beliefs about the heavens and every aspect of art, science and philosophy.

Staff

Director and Principal Lecturer:

• Nicholas Campion PhD

Senior Lecturer:

• Patrick Curry PhD

Visiting Lecturers include:

• Liz Greene
• Bernadette Brady
• Bernard Eccles
• Dorian Greenbaum
• Geoffrey Cornelius

For further information, please contact:

Alice Ekrek, Administrator
The Sophia Centre
Bath Spa University College
Newton Park
Bath BA2 9BN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1225 876147
Fax: +44 (0)1225 876230
http://oldsite.bathspa.ac.uk/schools/historical-and-cultural-studies/sophia/

Tel: +44 (0)1225 876147.
Fax: +44 (0)1225 876230.
E-mail: sophia-centre@bathspa.ac.uk.