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.

Introduction to Theological Studies

Unit Code: 
CH/CT179
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit introduces the key concepts of Christian theology with particular reference to the Christian confession of the God who brings life out of death. Drawing on the framework of the contemporary liturgical calendar of Western Christianity, the subject focuses on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and considers biblical, liturgical, historical, and doctrinal dimensions of Easter faith. The unit will use case studies in the continuing dialogue between Christian faith and culture, including a site visit, to trace the practices and beliefs that have marked the Christian community in diverse contexts.

Learning Outcomes: 

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

  1. Outline and discuss key concepts of Christian theology and practice in two or more contexts.
  2. Discuss the significance of the central Biblical narratives of the Exodus, and of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the Christian community.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the significance of baptism and the eucharist within the Christian community.
  4. Evaluate the relationship between liturgical practice and doctrinal statement in two or more contexts.
  5. Demonstrate competence in academic writing and referencing.
Lecturer/s: 
Katharine Massam
Lecturer/s: 
Christiaan Mostert
Lecturer/s: 
Sean Winter
Timetabling
Semester: 
Intensive
Location: 
Centre for Theology and Ministry
Unit Frequency: 
Annual
Years Offered: 
2012
Years Offered: 
2013
Years Offered: 
2014
Notes: 

In 2012 this unit will take place from 9.30-1.30 on 13-17 Feb and from 9.30-4.30 on March 24, April 28, with a site visit on 8 April. Enrolments for this unit close at 5pm on Monday 6 February 2012.

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: 
Church History
Disciplines: 
Systematic Theology
Department Name: 
Department of Christian Thought and History
Unit Level
Undergraduate Level: 
1
Prerequisites: 

None

Corequisites: 

None

Prohibited Combinations: 

None

Mode of Teaching: 
Intensive
Teaching Methods: 

Lecture, seminars, integrative case studies

Workload
Workload: 

This unit will comprise 36 hours of class time, taught as an intensive of 5 x 4 hour classes and a 1 x 4 hour site visit in a single week (normally in late January or early February), plus 2 x 6 hour follow-up classes (normally on Saturdays in first semester)

Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

4 short written exercises (4 x 300 words)

Weighting: 
30%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3, 4
Assessment Type: 

1 essay (2000 words)

Weighting: 
50%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3, 4
Assessment Type: 

Reflection on a site visit (1000 words)

Weighting: 
20%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3, 4
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

  • Greenacre, Roger. The Sacrament of Easter: an introduction to the Liturgy of Holy Week. London: Faith Press, 1965.
  • Holmes, Stephen. Listening to the Past: The Place of Tradition in Theology. Carlisle: Paternoster, 2002.
  • Jenson, Robert. Canon and Creed. Westminster John Knox Press, 2010.
  • Johnson, Elizabeth. Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God. New York: Continuum, 2007.
  • Kennedy, Philip. A Modern Introduction to Theology: New Questions for Old Beliefs. New York: I. B. Taurus, 2006.
  • McGrath, Alister. Christian Theology: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell, 1994.
  • Miles, Margaret. The Word Made Flesh: A History of Christian Thought. Oxford: Blackwell, 2005.
  • Volf, Miroslav. The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.
  • Williams, Rowan. ’Living Baptismally’ and ‘Living Eucharistically’ in Sacramental Living. Trinity Papers no. 32. Melbourne: Trinity College, 2002.

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.