Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)

Module THEO44430: Understanding Practice in Theology and Religion

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO44430: Understanding Practice in Theology and Religion

Type Open Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2020/21 Module Cap None.

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To develop skills and knowledge in the methods and theories around Practice currently utilised within the different disciplines in Theology and the Study of Religion.

Content

  • The course will introduce students to the variety of ways in which the academic disciplines within Theology and Religion evaluate and research the practice of religious communities.
  • The module will be structured around three groups of disciplines. Group 1 will include Biblical Studies, Christian Ethics and Systematic Theology. Group 2 will include Sociology of Religion, Anthropology and History. Group 3 will include Church Growth, Digital Theology, Youth Ministry and Homiletics
  • Each year there will be lectures, readings and seminars drawing on disciplines from each of these three groups.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • A developed and critical understanding of methodologies in theology and the study of religion in relation to Practice
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to deploy a variety of methodologies in the study of religion and theology
  • skills in using critically a variety of disciplines to understand practice
Key Skills:
  • Communicate complex information and argument in a clear and orderly way
  • Understanding of a range of complex phenomena
  • Problem posing and problem solving
  • Identification of, respect for and appropriate use of empirical data

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

  • The module functions as the third module in the Doctor of Theology and Ministry degree (DThM). Through the first module students will have developed core concepts and been introduced to a variety of approaches to theology. This module allows them to refine concepts by exposure to a wider range of methodologies drawn from the range of disciplines within the study of Religion and Theology. The module will be structured around lectures and seminars with a formative assignment on which written feedback is given and a summative assignment of 5,000 words.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 60 minutes 10
Seminars 10 60 minutes 10
Preparation and reading time 60
Preparation and reading in association with formative summative assignments 200
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 5,000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

2,000 word essay


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