Module THMN40560: Consultancy Dissertation

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN40560: Consultancy Dissertation

Prerequisites

• • THMN40130 Theological and Practical Reflection on Mission and Ministry, THMN4XX15 The Organisational Context of Mission and Ministry, THMN4XX15 Organisational Issues in Church and Community Consulting, THMN43630 How Mission Can Shape the Church, THMN4XX15 Consultancy Practice and Theory, THMN4XX15 Developing A Consultancy Model

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• to produce a sustained piece of theological reflection on a topic related to consultancy in Christian mission and ministry.

Content

• The subject of the dissertation must be the subject of a written proposal and be formally agreed by the Course Director of the appropriate institution and the Board of Studies for the institution. The subject of the dissertation should be related to the interface between consultancy and practice of Christian mission and ministry.
• In general, the dissertation should
• be relatively narrow in scope, aiming at depth of analysis rather than breadth of coverage;
• have a clearly defined methodology;
• be clear, well-written, and orderly in arrangement;
• present the results of a well-organised investigation;
• show a thorough knowledge of major primary sources;
• show an awareness of secular as well as Christian reflection and analysis of the subject
• show the capacity to evaluate the secondary sources
• A separate Handbook is provided on the practicalities of formulating a dissertation proposal and also for rulings about the relationship between the dissertation and other elements of the course.

Learning Outcomes

• A systematic understanding of key aspects and a coherent and detailed knowledge of the topic which is related to consultancy and the practice of mission and ministry in a Christian context.

• By the end of the module the student will have :
• Skills in the use of specialist resources in the fields of consultancy and practical theology in order to identify source material, compile bibliographies and inform research
• Integration of different elements of learning which form part of the MA (Consultancy for Mission and Ministry Pathway) and key components in the field of practical theology.
• Skills in identifying and utilising an appropriate methodology for the research topic.
• Originality in research: a candidate will have a developed systematic and critical understanding of and capacity to deploy a variety of advanced methodologies in the disciplines of consultancy, practical theology and associated disciplines in theology and ministry, particularly in the investigation of new problems.
• The capacity to modify established techniques in consultancy and practical theolgy where appropriate and to develop, as required, innovative methods.
• The capacity to understand research findings and to contribute themselves (by pursuing their research to its conclusion) to debate at the current frontiers of knowledge, notably in the field of consultancy and practical theology

• By the end of the module the student will be able to:
• Make professional and academic judgements which may involve others and which recognise the limits of their own competence and the rights of informants, including the capacity to observe professional and academic codes of conduct and to confront ethical issues appropriately and with due respect.
• Communicate research findings (in a clear and orderly way), that include complex information and detailed argument
• Develop the skills of research, study and reflection required in a sustained piece of writing.

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

• enter text as appropriate for the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Dissertation Proposal 1500 words including : how the research question is to be pursued, an attempt to set this within the broader field of study and an account of the methodology to be adopted and a justification of its appropriateness, an identification of key texts and further reading

■ 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