Unit rationale, description and aim
Each human person must grapple with the meaning of their lives and the nature of their existence. For Christianity, the God who creates and redeems is the central point of reference. Christianity accounts for the belief system and practice of more people than any other religion or movement, with the largest number of Christians identifying with the Catholic Church. Christianity, particularly through the 2000 year tradition of Catholicism, has deeply influenced the structures, systems, laws, values and behavioural norms of numerous societies, including Australia. It is imperative that Christians, those involved in Christian organisations, and those seeking to understand Christianity and its influence, are able to explain the key beliefs and practices of the Christian faith.
THCT100 explores the nature and meaning of Christian faith in Jesus Christ as articulated in the Christian creeds and celebrated through the centuries, with a particular emphasis on the Catholic tradition. It introduces students to the contextual and critical examination of beliefs central to the Catholic tradition. The aim of this unit is for students to begin to develop a broad and coherent knowledge of the Christian faith and explain historic and contemporary theological perspectives to key beliefs, especially Catholic approaches.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe the beliefs central to Christian faith
Learning Outcome 01
Analyse the meaning of key Christian beliefs using...
Learning Outcome 02
Reflect critically on the implications of Christia...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- The nature, sources and terms of theological study
- The Creeds, as outlining key Christian beliefs
- Belief in and knowledge of God
- Revelation
- Creation
- The person of Jesus Christ, and the significance of his life, death, and resurrection
- Sin and Evil
- Trinity
- Salvation
- The Church
- Eschatology, including Heaven, Hell and Resurrection of the Body
- Implications and significance of Christian beliefs in today’s context.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome.
Given the alignment of learning outcomes to the assessment tasks, in order to pass this unit, students are required to attempt all assessment tasks and achieve a grade of 50% or higher.
Task 1 asks students to identify the key beliefs of the Christian faith, as outlined in the Creed, and reflect briefly on their meaning. This task is designed to give the opportunity for students to display achievement of Learning Outcome 1. This task allows students a low risk piece of assessment to test their critical theological skills, as well as academic writing techniques. Advice for essay writing in theology will be provided. Feedback provided from Task 1 will help students with the other two assessment tasks.
Task 2 asks students to analyse critically the meaning of some of the key beliefs of the Christian faith using a range of different theological perspectives, especially Catholic approaches, in order to allow them to display achievement of Learning Outcome 2.
Task 3 invites students to consider the implications of Christian beliefs today's context, in order for them to display achievement of Learning Outcome 3. Students are asked to demonstrate a clear understanding of a range of key Christian beliefs and how they impact on people’s lives, as well as address questions and misunderstandings about these beliefs, with a particular emphasis on the Catholic community.
Overview of assessments
Short introductory written task: Require students...
Short introductory written task: Require students to demonstrate their ability to write a brief description of key Christian beliefs.
10%
Analytical task: Require students to demonstrate ...
Analytical task: Require students to demonstrate critical thinking by analysing key Christian beliefs, engaging with a range of different theological perspectives.
40%
Critical reflection and application task: Require...
Critical reflection and application task: Require students to demonstrate ability to reflect critically on the challenges and implications of Christian faith in contemporary contexts, with particular attention to Catholic approaches.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 150 hours of focused learning, or the equivalent of 10 hours per week for 15 weeks. The total includes formally structured learning activities such as lectures, tutorials and online learning. The remaining hours typically involve reading, research, and the preparation of tasks for assessment.
The unit is normally offered in attendance mode. Students learn through formally structured and sequenced learning activities that support the achievement of the learning outcomes. Students are asked to critically reflect, analyse, and integrate new information with existing knowledge, draw meaningful new connections, and then apply what they have learned. Collaborative and peer learning is also emphasised.
These face-to-face activities enable students to acquire and assimilate knowledge of Christian faith and identify the importance of Christian faith to the life of believers. Students will be guided in beginning to develop the academic skills needed for theological study. Students will be provided with opportunities for the development of practical skills, technologies and strategies needed for successful academic theological study, including in one or more of the following: flexible learning, academic writing, and academic honesty.
THCT100 emphasises students as active, adult learners. Students are recognised as adult learners who engage best when what they are learning is relevant to them and gives them the opportunity to be responsible for their own learning. In many ways, the student is the one who drives the learning forward, and their active participation in this unit is essential. Learning is designed to be an engaging and supportive experience, which helps students to develop critical thinking and reflection skills.