Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit is an experience of doing theology in the context of immersion, which includes volunteer experience, among the poor and marginal(ised) in a developing country such as Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Cambodia and other locations that are relevant and appropriate. The unit will consider the relationship between Christian theology, immersion and service learning based on the perspective of Christian theology as “faith seeking empowering understanding” or, in the words of liberation theologians, as “a hermeneutic of hope.” It will explore from a theoretical and practical perspective the missionary imperative of Christianity through immersion among the poor and the marginal(ised) and their struggles, as well as critical analysis and reflection by the students on their immersion experience with the help of the study of selected key texts on “the faith that does justice” and lives out the Gospel in contemporary times. This experience-based theological study will reveal how “action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world” is “a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation” (Justice in the World, no. 6).
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.
Understand the contexts of the immersion location
Learning Outcome 01
Analyse and reflect critically on their immersion ...
Learning Outcome 02
Investigate and evaluate community and civic engag...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
· Preparing for immersion and service learning in a cross-cultural context
· Survey and analysis of the key social issues of the immersion location with the help of input from a notable theologian or social scientist in the immersion location
· Education and the faith that does justice
· Service learning in the Christian, especially Catholic, tradition
· Liberationist theologies and the relationship between theology, hope and service
· Evangelii Gaudium (especially Chapter 1 and Chapter 5) and relevant documents from the Christian Churches, particularly the Catholic Church, in the immersion location
· The Pastoral Spiral and the role of praxis in theology
· Key themes or principles in Christian social doctrine, particularly Catholic Social Thought
· Biblical and theological perspectives on service and community engagement
· Spirituality of Immersion and Service
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 and taking into account the experience-based character of the unit. Such procedures may include, but are not limited to, an essays, report, examination, critically-reflective presentation and case study.
Overview of assessments
Brief Written Task (2000 words) For example: Bri...
Brief Written Task (2000 words)
For example: Brief response to open-ended short essay or objective questions on two or three selected key texts that will be completed before departure as a way of helping to prepare the students by equipping them with key background knowledge on the immersion location, e.g. contextual theology prior to travelling.
20%
Creative Presentation (25 mins) For example: Cri...
Creative Presentation (25 mins)
For example: Critical analysis and reflection (with the use of their travel journal) of their immersion experience using Kaltura media presentation.
35%
Extended Written Task (4500 words) For example: R...
Extended Written Task (4500 words)
For example: Research essay applying liberationist theological methods to investigate and evaluate Christian community and civic engagement vis-a-vis a key social issue common to both the immersion location and Australia.
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 300 hours of focused learning. As an experience-based theological study the total includes immersion and volunteer experience as well as formally structured learning activities such as pre-departure (preparatory) online classroom sessions, lectures (including a guest lecture), and online learning, particularly through the Forum and learning materials in the Canvas page for the unit. The remaining hours involve reading, journal writing, research, preparation of tasks for assessment and supervision, where relevant and appropriate.