Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)

Module TMMC1241: Corporate Engagement with Context A

Department: Theology, Ministry and Mission

TMMC1241: Corporate Engagement with Context A

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2020/21 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • L5-Corporate Engagement with Context A

Aims

  • Students enrolled on this module will be placed with other students in a context – normally for the duration of their study programme. The context is likely to be a parish, congregation, mission or pioneer project with a qualified professional who can act as supervisor to the group. Because of the holistic nature of the placement, students will be engaging with and learning about a number of areas of Christian discipleship, mission and ministry. The module’s overarching aims for this, and its sister module, Corporate Engagement with Context B, therefore include:
  • To enable students to structure and focus learning in relation to a specific context to integrate academic study with practical collaborative experience of mission and ministry.
  • To enable students to explore their own developing identity and practice in ministry and mission as appropriate to their vocation.
  • To enable students to become habitual practitioners of critical theological reflection both individually and corporately.
  • To enable students to engage in and reflect on practices of spirituality, worship, pastoral care and mission in a corporate context in the chosen ecclesial tradition and social context.
  • The assessed focus of this module, however, will be in the areas of spirituality and worship (including preaching where appropriate) and the development of skills of critical theological reflection, especially in relation to analysing and reading a context, applying insights from other fields of theological and non-theological study to the task.

Content

  • This module involves a partnership between the students’ training institution and a given context. The module comprises:
  • Regular guided practical experience of mission and ministry, normally with a team of other students, in the parish / congregation / pioneer initiative / mission project and the wider community throughout the year of study. This enables students to work effectively and collaboratively within a sustained setting that offers both ecclesial and non-ecclesial ministerial and mission experience.
  • An introduction to theological reflection methodologies and to methods for analysing and reading a context. Both personal and collaborative theological reflection is practiced.
  • Contextual engagement with key themes of relevant disciplines, with a particular focus on opportunities to develop understanding and practice of spirituality and worship.
  • Supervision by on-site staff (usually the church / project leader) and a tutor in the students’ own training institution.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Describe competently at least one method of theological reflection and questions to which it gives.
  • Describe competently different understandings of and approaches to prayer within Christian spirituality, and the questions to which they give rise.
  • Investigate and discuss knowledgeably the core concepts and principles of Christian worship and their interpretation in a specific context.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Engage in planning and leading aspects of Christian worship in the tradition embodied by the context and as vocationally appropriate for the student, drawing on learning from appropriate theological disciplines.
  • Reflect theologically on their personal spiritual development and practice of prayer as a way of participating in the body of Christ and the mission of God, and communicate to specific contexts and audiences.
  • Observe, describe and analyse the given context in relation to local, regional, cultural and social factors, and implications for mission and ministry.
Key Skills:
  • Carry out a guided project that involves: independent and collaborative inquiry; management of time and resources, working collaboratively with others, meeting deadlines, evaluating the project and learning from it.
  • Recognise key issues in their own personal and professional development.

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

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Placements

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 8
Seminars 8
Placements 100
Personal Study 84

Summative Assessment

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

Formative Assessment:

<enter text as appropriate for the module>


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