Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Groundwork in Theology

Unit Code: 
CT101
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit is an introductory study of what theology is and how it may be done. It provides an introduction to the major areas of Christian belief following the structure of the two major creeds of the Church.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Articulate an understanding of the role of systematic theology and how it may be done
  2. Discuss the various sources on which theology draws and how they are inter-related
  3. Formulate a basic understanding of the key statements of the classic Christian creeds
  4. Demonstrate a working knowledge of common terms used in systematic theology.
Lecturer/s: 
Christiaan Mostert
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 2
Day: 
Tuesday
Time: 
2:15 - 5:15
Location: 
Centre for Theology and Ministry
Unit Frequency: 
Annual
Years Offered: 
2010
Years Offered: 
2011
Years Offered: 
2012
Years Offered: 
2013
Years Offered: 
2014
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Advanced Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Bachelor of Theology
Courses: 
Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Bachelor of Ministry
Field: 
Field C Christian Thought and History
Disciplines: 
Systematic Theology
Department Name: 
Department of Christian Thought and History
Unit Level
Undergraduate Level: 
1
Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Teaching Methods: 

3 hours of lectures and seminars weekly for 12 weeks

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
3
Expected personal study hours per week: 
6
Total workload hours per week: 
9
Total workload hours for unit: 
108
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

1 x 2000 word essay

Weighting: 
50%
Assessment Type: 

1 x take home written examination

Weighting: 
50%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

  • Barth, K. Dogmatics in Outline. London: SCM, 1949 (1973).
  • Berkhof, H. Christian Faith. Rev. ed. Michigan: Eerdmans, 1986.
  • Dicker, G. Faith with Understanding. Sydney: Unichurch, 1981.
  • Dulles, A. The Craft of Theology. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1992.
  • Fiorenza, F. S. and J. P. Galvin, J. P. (eds.). Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives. 2 vols. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991.
  • Ford, D. F. Theology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
  • Guthrie, S. C. Christian Doctrine. Rev. ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1994.
  • *Hunt, A. et al (eds). The Foundations of Christian Faith: An Introduction for Students. Southbank: Social Science Press, 2004.
  • Küng, H. Credo: The Apostles' Creed for Today. London: SCM 1993.
  • Lochman, J. The Faith We Confess. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984.
  • McBrien, R. P. Catholicism. New ed. San Francisco: Harper, 1994.
  • McGrath, A. E. Theology: The Basics. Oxford: Blackwell, 2004.
  • McGrath, A. E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwells, 1997.
  • McKim, D. Theological Turning Points: Major Issues in Christian Thought. Atlanta: John Knox, 1988.
  • *Migliore, D. L. Faith Seeking Understanding. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
  • O’Collins, G. Foundations of Theology. Chicago: Loyola University Press, 1971.
  • Pannenberg, W. The Apostles’ Creed in the Light of Today’s Questions. London: SCM, 1972.
  • Ratzinger, J. Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1987.

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.