Module THEO42430: Specialised Aspects of Practical Theology

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO42430: Specialised Aspects of Practical Theology

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To develop an understanding of specialised aspects of practical theology, chosen from a list of topics representing the main areas of research in the Department.

Content

• Students will choose from a list of topics which may include:
• Theological and Practical Reflection on Ministry and Mission
• Preaching from Old Testament
• Mission and Ministry in the Acts of the Apostles
• The History and Theology of the Charismatic Movement
• Issues of Authority within Anglicanism
• Methodism in Dialogue
• Supervision in the context of Christian Ministry
• Mission in Context: missiological themes embodied in north-east England
• Story and the narrative mode in Christian mission and liturgy
• Intellect and Imagination: Apologetics in the Mass Media
• Always with us? The Church and the 'Poor'
• Psychology and Christian Ministry
• Chaplaincy
• Images of Christ: The Gospel Story in the Arts
• Marriage and Family Life Ministry
• Contemporary Roman Catholic Understanding of Ordained Ministry
• Roman Catholic Church and Pluralism
• The Quest for the Jesus of History and the Mission of the Church
• Theology in the City: Regeneration in the Urban Context
• Changing Worship
• Leadership in Christian Ministry
• Roman Catholic Approaches to Youth Work and Ministry
• Youth and Schools Ministry - Anglican, Methodist and Free Church Perspectives
• Theological approaches to Spiritual Direction
• Scripture and Hermeneutics: the role of the Bible in Ministry
• Law as a framework for Christian Ministry: the Canon and Ecclesiastical Law of the Church of England
• The Dialogue of Science and Theology in Mission and Ministry
• Issues in Ecumenical Chaplaincy
• Taking Sin Seriously, Doctrine for Ministry
• Towards a Christian engagement with the new Muslim presence in England
• How Mission can shape the Church, Mission & Ecclesiology in the contemporary context
• Seeing & Believing: art, theology and hermeneutics in social context
• The Bible in Tomorrow's World: Gospel, Kingdom and Mission
• Spirituality and Creativity for Evangelism and Worship
• Rural Theology: Community and Church
• Biblical Literacy

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to demonstrate a deepening understanding of research in practical theology.
• In-depth knowledge of the approach to practical theology appropriate to the topic chosen.

• Development of advanced analytical and research skills, including the ability to locate, summarise and reference key sources, both in print and online, and to cite them to a professional standard.

• Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, interpretation and arguments in written form.
• Development of advanced communication skills, including the ability to produce in writing a nuanced argument in a clear and convincing manner.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• May include one or more of the following:
• Lectures will provide students with an outline of key knowledge and debates in the topic area, discuss the literature that students should explore, and provide relevant examples and case studies
• Tutorials will develop topics introduced in lectures
• Seminar presentation
• Video recordings
• Student preparation and reading time is partly for following up specific references in advance of tutorials and partly for general and particular reading suggested by staff in lectures
• formative essays develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, and the skills of written presentation. These skills and the knowledge and understanding they serve are assessed in the summative essay.
• summative essay will test the knowledge, understanding and analytical skills acquired by students
• Summative essays assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in research, analysis, and argumentation, including the written presentation of information in the written form of an argument for a field-advancing thesis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two essays (2,500 words) or one essay (5,000 words)

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University