THEL402 - Special Studies in Theology 2

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Teaching organisation

Unit rationale, description and aim

This unit requires students to extend their studies in their chosen field of study. The field of study will be the same as for the students' Honours thesis, introducing students to contents in advanced theory, methodology or scholarship in the field. This unit is required so that students can achieve the course learning outcomes relating to advanced knowledge of theories, concepts and methodologies within their chosen field of study. The unit will develop advanced theoretical and technical knowledge, as well as skills in applying relevant methods to critical analysis of complex problems and the ability to articulate and transmit this knowledge. Students are expected to demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgment and adaptability.

The unit requirement can either be satisfied through internal individual supervision or via cross-institutional enrolment if a suitable unit at another institution is recommended by supervisor. In the latter circumstance, the external unit's content, learning objectives, reference materials, assessment activities and assessment requirements will necessarily differ from student to student, but must be aligned with their Special Studies unit in Theology and be at or above AQF Level 8.

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.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Articulate and apply advanced concepts relevant to the area of study, and major scholarly positions and theories in the literature (GA4; GA5; GA8)

LO2 - Critically analyse and evaluate complex debates and ideas in the field, by generating and transmitting sustained arguments in relation to them (GA4; GA5; GA6; GA8);

LO3 - Relate advanced discipline-specific cognitive, technical and communication skills to transform information and complete a range of activities (GA5; GA7; GA9; GA10). 

Graduate attributes

GA4 - think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA6 - solve problems in a variety of settings taking local and international perspectives into account

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively 

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media 

GA10 - utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.

Content

Topics will be identified by the supervisor or in the unit specification for the replaced unit.

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 and submission of tasks for assessment.

The unit is normally offered face to face. 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. The learning activities enable students to acquire and assimilate knowledge through application of, and critical reflection on, modern methodological approaches.

This unit emphasises students as active 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. 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.

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. 

The assessment tasks and their weighting for this unit are designed to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome. In order to pass this unit, students are required to submit and participate in all assessment tasks.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Texts and references appropriate to the topics will be identified by the supervisor in consultation with the student.