Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit explores fundamental issues that require critical attention when doing theology. The unit examines the nature of divine revelation and Christian faith, and that faith's normative expression in Scripture and tradition. It considers theology's necessary focus on the diverse ways contemporary Christians understand and live out their faith in different contexts, as well as theology's relationship with the church's teaching authority (the magisterium). The unit also examines theology's relationship to other disciplines such as philosophy and sociology, and the diversity of theological methods employed by theologians today.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unitLearning 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.
Analyse and appraise different models of revelatio...
Learning Outcome 01
Assess the relationship between theology and its i...
Learning Outcome 02
Give a critical account of the significance of Scr...
Learning Outcome 03
Identify, discriminate and interrelate the distinc...
Learning Outcome 04
Explain and distinguish different approaches to th...
Learning Outcome 05
Use a variety of resources to research and present...
Learning Outcome 06
Content
Topics will include:
- revelation and faith
- the ecclesial locus of theological reflection
- the nature, sources and norms of theology
- the relationship between theology, Scripture, tradition, contemporary sense of the faith (sensus fidelium) and ecclesial authority
- the significance for theology of background theories (e.g., from philosophy, sociology) and contemporary praxis
- issues of theological method.
Assessment strategy and rationale
In this unit, all activities, direct teaching, structured learning, assigned readings, and collaborative tasks build towards the assessment of students’ ability to apply the necessary knowledge and skills required to understand the nature, sources, methods, and tasks of theology. Each of the three assessment tasks has been designed to test the students’ developed and developing capacity to understand the fundamentals of theology in a meaningful and relevant way. Each assessment item aligns with the achievement of each of unit’s learning outcomes.
The first task requires students to focus on the nature of theology and its importance in the life of the church (LO 1,2,3 and 4) and communicate their results in an academic essay. Students will have the opportunity in subsequent weeks to develop, refine and improve their skills in researching the variety of theological methods being used today by theologians throughout the world church (LO 5 and 6), which will culminate in Assessment Task 2.
Overview of assessments
Essay on nature of theology and its role in the c...
Essay on nature of theology and its role in the church today
50%
Essay on theological method as practised by conte...
Essay on theological method as practised by contemporary theologians
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Christian theology seeks to interpret the Christian faith for contemporary believers so that it is meaningful and transformative within their particular context. Beginning with an analysis of that context, theology seeks to interpret from that perspective the fundamental texts and practices of the Christian tradition. Those texts and practices require interpretation via the application of specific historical knowledge and interpretive skills. For contemporary Christians, and especially for teachers, ministers and pastoral associates in faith-based organisations, the texts of Scripture and tradition remain central to their spiritual and professional lives. For this reason, the curriculum for THCT601 has been designed to build students’ capacity and competency in reading, interpreting, teaching and preaching the significance of the Christian faith as leaders, teachers, pastoral assistants and/or ministers in faith-based organisations.
THCT601 is taught in a variety of modes and involves 150 hours of focused learning, or the equivalent of 10 hours per week for 15 weeks. THCT601 is shaped by the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) model of pedagogy – sometimes called “Scaffolded instruction” – and, hence, uses a mix of direct instruction and synchronous engagement, as well as asynchronous collaborative and cooperative learning opportunities. Formally structured learning activities, such as lectures, tutorials and workshops, will sometimes be presented in an online environment using video-conferencing or supervision. The remaining hours typically involve reading, research, and the preparation of tasks for assessment, including contributions to cooperative learning in the form of online facilities, such as forums, reflective journals, wikis, blogs and interactive chat. The GRR model, as used in THCT601, is designed to encourage students’ autonomy and facilitate students’ capacity in the development and application of the necessary knowledge and skills within the context of their personal and/or professional lives.