BBI-TAITE Units

Unit overview and content

This unit builds on the skills and knowledge developed in Biblical Studies in THEO800 and deepens knowledge in this specialised field. Students will learn to critically examine and interpret biblical texts. The unit utilises the tools of contemporary Biblical Studies to examine major themes and texts found in both the Old and New Testaments (the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures).

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of

• At least one hour per week for online lectures
• At least three hours per week of reading.
• At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Tutorial Discussion Board (20%)
• Theological Exegesis (Old Testament) (40%)
• Theological Exegesis (New Testament) (40%)

Unit overview and content

This unit builds on the skills and knowledge developed in the area of Theological Studies in THEO800 and provides students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in this specialised field. Students will study theology as a ‘discipline among disciplines’ as it has been expressed in history and with a special focus on its various manifestations today and its approach to faith and revelation. The course will pay particular attention to important theologians and vital theological issues in the current context.

The unit will cover the following content:

• Theology, its foundations, and its methods across the traditions
• Theology and Faith
• Theology and Revelation
• Theology Today

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of

• At least one hour per week for online lectures
• At least three hours per week of reading.
• At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Discussion forum 30%
• Minor essay 30%
• Major essay 40%

Unit overview and content

This unit provides an introduction to the principles and practices of liturgy and its underpinning theology within the Catholic tradition. It examines the nature of Christian ritual and liturgy, and its origins and development. There is a special focus on the significant reforms of the Second Vatican Council through a critical exploration of key liturgical documents and rites, including an overview of the sacraments. Students will explore a variety of questions and issues concerning contemporary liturgy.

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of

• At least one hour per week for online lectures
• At least three hours per week of reading.
• At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Discussion Forum (15%)
• Discussion Forum (15%)
• Minor Essay (30%)
• Major Essay (40%)

Unit overview and content

In this unit, students will use their foundational studies in Theology to draw on the best insights from the Social Sciences, Philosophy, and other related studies. They will do so with special attention to new developments in Theology, focusing on the role of religion in the current context, especially in the public sphere. Students will constructively and creatively address current issues in Theology as they relate to their professional or scholarly interests.

Assumed knowledge or prerequisites

It will be expected that students have successfully completed THEO800, THEO801 and THEO802 from the BBI Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, unless otherwise approved by the course coordinator. Students who enter the Master of Theological Studies with the equivalent of prior study in theology or a cognate discipline at the Graduate Certificate level will be understood to have met this requirement.

Study hours

15 hours per week for 8 week Trimester ( in Trimester 3 2017-18), comprised of:

• Directed supervision and directed reading

Teaching methods

Online Directed Supervision

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Extended Proposal (30%)
• Literature Review (30%)
• Essay (40%)

Unit overview and content

Advanced studies in the theology require students to have knowledge of, and to be able to apply, a diverse range of research principles and methodologies in order to be able to propose, justify and interpret theoretical propositions, conclusions and professional decisions in their leadership positions. Furthermore, graduates of the Master of Theological Studies need to demonstrate that they are able to communicate and implement their knowledge of these disciplines within diverse contexts and by using a range of presentation skills. In this unit, students will build up the foundational knowledge and skills required to demonstrate these outcomes which will be applied at a more advanced level at a later point in their course. The unit will provide an overview of research methodologies used within these disciplines and the opportunity to apply these to selected issues.

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of

• At least one hour per week for online lectures
• At least three hours per week of reading.
• At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Research Proposal (30%)
• Literature Review (30%)
• Audio/Visual Presentation (40%)

Unit overview and content

This capstone project provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate their attainment of the requisite course outcomes for the Master of Theological Studies course by synthesising the knowledge they have attained throughout their studies with the advanced research and presentation skills that they have developed into a research or research/application project of their own choosing.

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of:

• At least one hour per week for online lectures
• At least three hours per week of reading.
• At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; one-to-one supervision.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Oral Presentation to a non-academic audience (20%)
• Final Research Paper (80%)

Unit overview and content

This unit provides the opportunity for students to study the background and literature of the New Testament, also known as the Christian Scriptures, at an advanced level. The unit utilises the tools of Biblical scholarship to study in detail the distinctive characteristics of the four Gospels, with particular attention to the use of story to convey theological meaning.

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of:

• At least one hour per week for online lectures.
• At least three hours per week of reading.
• At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Biblical Studies Discussion Forum (30%)
• Biblical Exegesis Essay (30%)
• Major Essay (40%)

Unit overview and content

This unit provides the opportunity for specialised study in a particular discipline under the tutelage and guidance of a specialist in the field. It seeks to further the learning experience of the student by engaging in issues aligned with a particular area within Biblical Studies in a specialised area of interest to the student.

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of:

• At least 10 hour per week of directed study, including reading, research, consultation with tutor and writing up of assessment tasks.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Study Proposal (30%)
• Literature Review (30%)
• Critical Evaluation Essay (40%)

Unit overview and content

This unit provides the opportunity for specialised study in a particular discipline under the tutelage and guidance of a specialist in the field. It seeks to further the learning experience of the student by engaging in issues aligned with a particular area within Systematic Theology in a specialised area of interest to the student.

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of:

• At least 10 hour per week of directed study, including reading, research, consultation with tutor and writing up of assessment tasks.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Study Proposal (30%)
• Literature Review (30%)
• Critical Evaluation Essay (40%)

Unit overview and content

This unit provides the opportunity for specialised study in a particular discipline under the tutelage and guidance of a specialist in the field. It seeks to further the learning experience of the student by engaging in issues aligned with a particular area within liturgical and sacramental theology in a specialised area of interest to the student.

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week semester, comprised of:

• At least 10 hour per week of directed study, including reading, research, consultation with tutor and writing up of assessment tasks.

Teaching methods

Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.

Type of Assessment and Weight

• Study Proposal (30%)
• Literature Review (30%)
• Critical Evaluation Essay (40%)