Bachelor of Theology

Institution Flinders University
Method On Campus
Location Bedford Park
Type Bachelor
Course fee By request

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Bachelor of Theology

Objectives 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.
Entry requirements Domestic students Prerequisites: None You can qualify for undergraduate courses through: * year 12 qualifications * mature age entry (STAT) * TAFE/VET qualifications * higher education transfers. Flinders also offers a range of special access schemes. International Students English language requirements
Academic title Bachelor of Theology
Course description The Bachelor of Theology aims to deepen the understanding and expression of Christian faith.

This course is inter-disciplinary, combining biblical studies, church history, systematic theology and Christian ethics with an optional stream comprising professional ministry studies such as pastoral care, Christian education and preaching. And it is ecumenical, dealing with the Christian tradition in all its diversity.
What will I study?

Refer to the program of study.
Why study Theology at Flinders?

The Bachelor of Theology at Flinders:

* brings the insights of the Christian Scriptures and traditions to bear on contemporary concerns such as the environment, the economy, multiculturalism, health and welfare

* offers an intellectually rigorous study of the Christian faith from the perspective of Christian traditions and thought

* provides a thorough grounding in the breadth of theological scholarship that recognises the diversity of the Christian tradition

* develops an understanding of theology in dialogue with other fields of study, including philosophy, social justice, ecology, ethics and women's studies.

Career opportunities

What can I do with my Bachelor of Theology degree?
Study a language

Flinders also offers all students the opportunity to major in a language in conjunction with any undergraduate course. The Diploma in Language is designed to provide students with competence in a chosen language that adds greater portability to their qualifications. You will complete a total of 1 extra year of study and graduate with both your chosen degree and the Diploma in Language. You can apply for this at time of enrolment.

The Bachelor of Theology requires four 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.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]

To qualify for the Bachelor of Theology a student must complete 144 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 Pastoral Studies topics or 33 units of non-Theology topics, and
    * a further 36 units chosen from the following areas of study: Biblical Studies; Historical and Systematic Theology; Pastoral Studies or Biblical Languages.

Non-Theology topics can be selected from any offered by the University provided entry and course requirements are met. At least 21 units must be from one discipline and at least 24 units must be at higher than First Year.

* 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
    * Pastoral Studies
    * Biblical Languages

components are set out below.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year and some topics are offered in various internal/external modes as indicated.

BIBLICAL STUDIES


First Year


37.5 units comprising:

THEO1001


Introduction to Exegesis: Old Testament and New Testament Texts   [I/E]


4.5

THEO1101


Interpreting the Old Testament   [I/E]


4.5

THEO1201


Interpreting the New Testament   [I/E]


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   [I/E]


6

THEO2105


Genesis   [E]


6

THEO2203


New Testament Exegesis: The Pauline Letters


6

THEO2207


Synoptic Studies and the Gospel of Mark


6

THEO2208


Synoptic Studies and the Gospel of Luke


6

THEO2209


New Testament Exegesis: The Book of Acts


6

THEO2210


Rainbow-Coloured Jesus


3

THEO2211


'Digging up the Bible': Theology and Archaeology in Dialogue


3

THEO2212


Matthew   [E]


6

THEO2213


1 and 2 Corinthians   [E]


6

THEO2214


Romans   [E]


6

THEO2215


Digging up the Church: Religion, Culture and Contexts in the Lycus Valley


3

THEO3001


Biblical Hermeneutics   [E]


6

THEO3103


Old Testament Exegesis: The Writings


6

THEO3104


Old Testament Exegesis: Wisdom


6

THEO3106


Old Testament Exegesis: The Prophets


6

THEO3107


Interpreting Creation Texts of the Bible


3

THEO3108


Ecology and the Bible


3

THEO3206


New Testament Exegesis: After Paul


6

THEO3208


Voices of Jewish Christianity


6

THEO3209


Passion of Jesus, Passion of Christians


6

THEO3210


Study Tour, Lands of the Bible


6

THEO3212


New Testament Exegesis: Johannine Literature


6

THEO3213


The Pleasure of the Text


3

THEO3214


Texts, Artifacts and Culture


6

I/E = Internal and External mode

E = External mode only

HISTORICAL AND SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY


First Year


37.5 units comprising:

THEO1301


Faith and Revelation   [I/E]


4.5

THEO1303


Humanity and Grace   [I/E]


4.5

THEO1401


Early Church History   [I/E]


4.5


Second and Third Years

THEO2301


The Person and Work of Christ   [I/E]


6

THEO3322


Introduction to Christian Ethics


3


and either

THEO2402


Medieval Church History   [I/E]


6


or

THEO2403


Reformation Church History


6


or

THEO2404


Church in the Modern World


6


9 other units from the following:

THEO2303


Anglican Studies


3

THEO2304


Liturgical Year: Theology and Celebration


3

THEO2305


Eucharist: Theology and Celebration


3

THEO2306


The Christian Life: A Protestant Perspective


6

THEO2307


Orientation to the Uniting Church in Australia   [E]


6

THEO2308


Creation Spirituality   [E]


6

THEO2310


Fathers and Heretics   [E]


6

THEO2311


Introduction to Feminist Studies in Theology   [E]


6

THEO2402


Medieval Church History


3

THEO2403


Reformation Church History


3

THEO2404


Church in the Modern World


3

THEO2405


Soul-Stirrings - A History of Christian Spirituality   [E]


3

THEO2407


Service as Good News - The Diaconate in History   [E]


6

THEO3302


Sex, Ethics and Christianity


6

THEO3307


Woman, Man and God


6

THEO3309


Church and Ministry


6

THEO3310


Sacraments


6

THEO3313


History, Destiny and Hope


6

THEO3315


Theology of God the Trinity


6

THEO3318


Bio-Medical Ethics


6

THEO3319


Responding to Aboriginal Theologies


6

THEO3321


Church, Ministry and Sacraments


6

THEO3323


Making Moral Decisions


3

THEO3324


Indian and Chinese Spiritual Paths


3

THEO3325


Abrahamic Faith Traditions


3

THEO3326


Justice, Society and the Human Person: Contemporary Christian Social Thought


3

THEO3327


Philosophy and Christian Thought


6

THEO3328


Sex, Marriage and Family in Christian Ethics


6

THEO3329A


Quest for the Spirit: Exploring Theology and the Arts


6

THEO3410


Early Christian Writings


3

I/E = Internal and External mode

E = External mode only

PASTORAL STUDIES


First Year


33 units comprising:

THEO1502


Sociology for Ministry   [I/E]


4.5


and

THEO1507


Introduction to Pastoral Care   [I/E]


4.5


Second and Third Years


24 units from the following:

THEO2303


Anglican Studies


6

THEO2502


Evangelism   [I/E]


6

THEO2504


Christian Pastoral Care


6

THEO2505


Homiletics


6

THEO2506


Christian Education


6

THEO2507


Liturgy and Worship


6

THEO2510


Youth Ministry


6

THEO2517


Family and Children's Ministry


6

THEO2519


Pastoral Care in a Hospital Setting 1   [I/E]


6

THEO3501


Supervised Field Education


12

THEO3501C


Supervised Field Education (Part 1)*, and


6

THEO3501D


Supervised Field Education (Part 2)*


6

THEO3503


Advanced Homiletics


6

THEO3504


Approaches to Theological Reflection


6

THEO3505


Christian Spirituality


6

THEO3506


Formation for Christian Ministries


6

THEO3507


Leadership in the Christina Church   [I/E]


6

THEO3508


Pastoral Care in a Hospital Setting 2   [E]


6

THEO3509


Practicum


12

THEO3510


The Mission and the Church   [I/E]


6

* Students must enrol in Part 1 and Part 2 to complete the requirements of this topic.

I/E = Internal and External mode

E = External mode only

BIBLICAL LANGUAGES

Students may choose the following topics of which up to 6 units may be included in the Biblical Studies stream or as part of the non-Theology component of the degree.

THEO2701


Biblical Greek 1   [I/E]


6

THEO2702


Biblical Hebrew 1   [I/E]


6

THEO2703


Reading Theological German


6

THEO3701


Biblical Greek 2


6

THEO3702


Biblical Hebrew 2


6

THEO3703


Biblical Greek 3


6

THEO3704


Biblical Hebrew 3


6

I/E = Internal and External mode

E = External mode only

OTHER DISCIPLINES

33 units comprising:

    * 9 units of Level 1 topics (2 x 4.5 units) from another discipline

and either

up to 24 units from the following:

THEO2701


Biblical Greek 1


6

THEO2702


Biblical Hebrew 1


6

THEO2703


Reading Theological German


6

THEO3701


Biblical Greek 2


6

THEO3702


Biblical Hebrew 2


6

THEO3703


Biblical Greek 3


6

THEO3704


Biblical Hebrew 3


6

OR up to 24 units from other disciplines. Students must complete 21 units from one area of study and at least 24 units at levels more advanced than First Year.

Students not enrolling in the Other Disciplines stream may include 6 units from Biblical and Theological Languages in their course of study. Three units of this will be counted as part of the Systematic Theology stream.

I/E = Internal and External mode

E = External mode only