Undergraduate: Course rule and topic information

All course rules are currently under review and new course rules will apply from 2011.
As a result topic details may change. Further information on the new course structures will be made available by mid-2010.

Bachelor of Theology

(BTh)

INTRODUCTION

The Bachelor of Theology requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).

The course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities, Law and Theology.

Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.

COURSE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is ecumenical and aims to deepen the understanding and expression of Christian faith.

Unlike courses in Religious Studies, which look at religion from the perspective of other disciplines such as philosophy, anthropology, psychology or history, it is specifically the study of Christian traditions and thought. However, it examines theology alongside, and in dialogue with, other fields of study and other issues which are critical to contemporary society and culture.

The degree does not of itself qualify a person for ordination in any church but it can be used to fulfil a part of ordination requirements.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this award graduates will have a broad understanding of the academic study of Christian traditions and thought, and to the capacity to make connections between them and other disciplines, in the context of contemporary society.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [January, 2010]

To qualify for the Bachelor of Theology a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study*, comprising:

• 37.5 units of Biblical Studies topics,
• 37.5 units of Historical and Systematic Theology topics,
• either 33 units of Ministry Studies topics or 33 units of non-Theology topic

* Students who commenced studies for the degree before 2002 may, with the approval of the School Board, complete it under the appropriate pre-2002 structure. (Students who completed their studies before 1992 without qualifying for the degree but whose studies now fulfil necessary requirements (or are deemed by the Board to be sufficient) may apply to be awarded the degree.)

The programs for the:

• Biblical Studies
• Historical and Systematic Theology
• Ministry Studies

components are set out below.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

BIBLICAL STUDIES

	37.5 units comprising:
	First Year
THEO1101	Interpreting the Old Testament	4.5
THEO1201	Interpreting the New Testament	4.5
THEO1204	Synoptic Studies: Engaging the Gospel of Matthew, Mark or Luke	4.5
	Second and Third Years
	24 units from the following (at least one Third Year topic must be completed and both Old Testament and New Testament topics must be represented):
THEO2102	Old Testament Exegesis: Israel's Response to Exile	6
THEO2104	Old Testament Exegesis: Pentateuch	6
THEO2203	New Testament Exegesis: The Pauline Letters	6
THEO3103	Old Testament Exegesis: The Writings	6
THEO3106	Old Testament Exegesis: The Prophets	6
THEO3212	New Testament Exegesis: Johannine Literature	6
EITHER
THEO2701	Biblical Greek 1, OR	6
THEO2702	Biblical Hebrew 1	6

HISTORICAL AND SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

	37.5 units comprising:
	First Year
THEO1401	Early Church History	4.5
	9 units from the following:
THEO104	Introduction to Christian Theology	4.5
THEO1301	Faith and Revelation	4.5
THEO1303	Humanity and Grace	4.5
	Second and Third Years
THEO2301	The Person and Work of Christ
	and either
THEO2402	Medieval Church History, OR	6
THEO2403	Reformation Church History, OR	6
THEO2404	Church in the Modern World	6
	12 other units from the following:
THEO2303	Anglican Studies	6
THEO2402	Medieval Church History	6
THEO2403	Reformation Church History	6
THEO2404	Church in the Modern World	6
THEO3309	Church and Ministry	6
THEO3310	Sacraments	6
THEO3313	History, Destiny and Hope	6
THEO3315	Theology of God the Trinity	6
THEO3321	Church, Ministry and Sacraments	6
THEO3327	Philosophy and Christian Thought	6
THEO3322	Introduction to Christian Ethics	6
THEO3323	Making Moral Decisions	3

MINISTRY STUDIES

	33 units comprising:
	First Year
	9 units from the following:
THEO1502	Sociology for Ministry	4.5
THEO1507	Introduction to Pastoral Care	4.5
THEO1508	Introduction to Liturgy	4.5
THEO1509	Introduction to Christian Leadership	4.5
	Second and Third Years
	12 units from the following:
THEO2504	Christian Pastoral Care	6
THEO2506	Christian Education	6
THEO2507	Liturgy and Worship	6
THEO2510	Youth Ministry 1	6
THEO2517	Family and Children's Ministry	6
THEO3501	Supervised Field Education	12
THEO3504	Approaches to Theological Reflection	6
THEO3505	Christian Spirituality	6
	and 12 units from the approved list of Biblical Studies and Historical and Systematic Theology topics or 12 units from the approved list of Ministry Studies topics	12

OTHER DISCIPLINES

33 units comprising:

• 9 units of Level 1 topics (2 x 4.5 units) from another discipline; and
• either up 24 units from the following:

• OR up to 24 units from other disciplines. Students must complete 12 units from one area of study and at least 24 units at levels more advanced than First Year.

^^ THEO2701 Biblical Greek 1, or THEO2702 Biblical Hebrew 1 may be included as an elective in the Biblical Studies stream.

Students may include approved topics from the Master of Theological Studies program as part of any of the Theology streams in the Bachelor of Theology.