BBI-TAITE Units

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.

Assumed Knowledge 

THEO800 & THEO801

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week session, 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.

Lecturer

Dr Jonathan Thambyrajah

Teaching methods

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

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Curriculum Objectives

This unit introduces students to the most prominent Biblical Narratives, their nature, and the tools used to study them. Next, students will interpret them in light of their original historical and literary context. Finally, students will critically review the use and re-use of these narratives in ancient and modern interpretation, and apply them in a contemporary context.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:

• analyse critically key Biblical texts as narratives
• contextualise Biblical narratives according to historical and literary factors
• review and evaluate critically ancient and modern interpretations of Biblical narratives
• reflect on and articulate the contemporary and personal relevance of Biblical narratives, and
• apply Biblical narratives for a contemporary audience.

Assumed Knowledge 

T8106 & B8101

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week session, 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.

Lecturer

Dr Jonathan Thambyrajah

Teaching methods

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

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Curriculum Objectives

This graduate course unit provides students with demonstrated initiative and creativity an opportunity to focus at an advanced level on a particular area of Biblical Studies under the tutelage and guidance of a specialist in the field. The unit is designed to refine the skills of independent study by allowing the student to define their own study, and to set their own goals by means of an extended guided reading program.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:

• develop a focused topic for independent scholarly investigation
• conduct independent research, under supervision, in terms of locating, utilising and referencing a wide range of appropriate primary and secondary sources
• analyse and evaluate with critical empathy a range of disparate scholarly positions
• defend an independent perspective on the topic of the investigation, and
• produce a cogent set of researched findings in an extended piece of academic writing.

Assumed Knowledge 

T8106, B8101, and one of B9249 or B9253

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week session, 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.

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Unit overview and content

This course is an advanced study of ecclesiology. Ecclesiology is a sub-discipline of systematic theology which emerged during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Ecclesiology is a systematic study of the nature and mission of the Church. The unit will consider factors which contributed to the development of this discipline and examine key theologians and ecclesiologies. The unit will examine a variety of historical and contemporary theological understandings of the Christian Church, with an emphasis on the ecclesiology of communion emerging from Vatican II.

Assumed Knowledge 

THEO800 & THEO801

Study hours

11 hours per week for 11 week session, comprised of:

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

Lecturer

Dr Charles Waddell

Teaching methods

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

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Unit overview and content

This unit provides students with an opportunity to discover the relevance of theology in the context of the present ecological and climate crises. It introduces students to an ecologically sensitive reading of the Bible and interpretation of the theology of creation. Building on these, students will explore insights from ecology, (eco)feminist theology, Australian Aboriginal cosmology, and liberation theology to form an ecologically aware understanding of the relationships between the Triune God, the world as God’s creation, and humanity. Drawing, among others, on Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, students will gain an understanding of the ethical, liturgical, spiritual, and other practical dimensions of a Christian response to the ecological crisis.

Assumed Knowledge 

T8106 and B8101

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week session, 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.

Lecturer

Dr Gerard Moore

Teaching methods

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

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Curriculum Objectives

This graduate course unit provides students with demonstrated initiative and creativity an opportunity to focus at an advanced level in a particular area of Theological Studies, under the tutelage and guidance of a specialist in the field. The unit is designed to refine the skills of independent study by allowing the student to define their own study, and to set their own goals by means of an extended guided reading program.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:

• develop a focused topic for independent scholarly investigation
• conduct independent research, under supervision, in terms of locating, utilizing and referencing a wide range of appropriate primary and secondary sources
• analyse and evaluate with critical empathy a range of disparate scholarly positions
• defend an independent perspective on the topic of the investigation, and
• produce a cogent set of researched findings in an extended piece of academic writing

Assumed Knowledge 

T8106, B8101 & T9210

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week session, 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.

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Unit overview and content

This unit presents a foundational study of the theology and rites of the sacraments with a focus on those of Roman Catholicism. It enables students to draw on their skills in the disciplines of theology and biblical studies to critically investigate the various components and approaches in sacramental theology including exploration of semiotics, and anthropological, Christological, ecclesiological dimensions. Students will have the opportunity to explore the implications of sacramental-liturgical theology as the source of Christian spirituality and mission.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• compare and evaluate two different sacramental/liturgical traditions and their theological basis
• analyse the biblical and liturgical sources that have given rise to contemporary theology of the sacraments
• engage critically with a wide range of scholarly theological/liturgical literature on the sacraments
• apply to individual sacraments, in a critically informed way, the insights of recent proposals for a general sacramental paradigm, and
• produce graduate-level research focused on the pastoral practice of one Christian sacrament

Assumed Knowledge 

T8106 & B8101

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week session, 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.

Lecturer

Prof Gerard Moore

Teaching methods

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

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Curriculum Objectives

This graduate course unit provides students with demonstrated initiative and creativity an opportunity to focus at an advanced level in a particular area of Liturgy, under the tutelage and guidance of a specialist in the field. The unit is designed to refine the skills of independent study by allowing the student to define their own study, and to set their own goals by means of an extended guided reading program.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:

• develop a focused topic for independent scholarly investigation
• conduct independent research, under supervision, in terms of locating, utilizing and referencing a wide range of appropriate primary and secondary sources
• analyse and evaluate with critical empathy a range of disparate scholarly positions
• defend an independent perspective on the topic of the investigation, and
• produce a cogent set of researched findings in an extended piece of academic writing

Assumed Knowledge 

T8106, B8101 & T9210

Study hours

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

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

Coordinator

Professor Gerard Moore

Teaching methods

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

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Curriculum Objectives

This unit enables the graduate student to critically explore central methodological issues in Christian ethics, and introduces students to theological reflection on the ethical aspects of Christian life and discipleship.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:

• distinguish and clarify the sources of Christian ethics
• explain the central concepts and principles in Christian ethics
• evaluate the key developments in the history of Christian ethics
• access and use a broad selection of Christian ethics literature, and
• evaluate current ethical issues on the basis of the various elements of Christian moral reasoning.

Assumed Knowledge 

T8106 and B8101

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week session, 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.

Lecturer

Rev Dr Thomas Ryan sm

Teaching methods

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

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.

Unit overview and content

Are faith and science in conflict? If there is such a conflict, is it inevitable? If there is conflict has that always been present or did it develop at some stage? Are there other ways of thinking about faith and science beyond conflict? These are just some of the questions we will explore in this unit. Each week we will encounter the key sources that will help us consider the relationship and some of the significant thinkers in science and religion who have contributed to the study of these question. There will be a focus on the Christian faith tradition, and the reason for this will become obvious as the unit unfolds, but other traditions will be touched upon.

Assumed Knowledge 

T8106 and B8101

Study hours

10 hours per week for 12 week session, 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.

Lecturer

TBC

Teaching methods

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

Indicative Assessment

At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.