Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module THMN42230: Leadership in Christian Ministry

Department: Theology, Ministry and Mission

THMN42230: Leadership in Christian Ministry

Type Open Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2022/23 Module Cap None.

Prerequisites

  • For students to make use of this module they need to be engaged in a form of leadership or leadership training during the teaching of the module, to enable active theological reflection. This leadership may be either in a Christian or secular context.

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • to study in depth the nature of Christian leadership in such a way as to develop the leadership characteristics and skills of participants as they work in both church and wider society and to better enable them to develop these characteristics and skills

Content

  • Leadership and the Christian Tradition
  • Leadership and Contemporary society
  • Developing Leadership in Others

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module students will have acquired:
  • A deep and critical knowledge of the biblical, historical and theological frameworks for Christian leadership
  • A broad and critical knowledge of contemporary studies in leadership and management
  • An in-depth understanding of the factors involved in developing leadership in others
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module students will be able to:
  • Reflect critically on Christian leadership in the light of theological and secular frameworks
  • Reflect deeply upon and develop their own leadership in church and society
  • Develop leadership characteristics and skills in others through effective mentoring and support
Key Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module students should have:
  • Developed their ability as self-reflective critically aware practitioners
  • Effectively presented and communicated their reflections on their experience and practiuce to their peers
  • Acquired and synthesised information through reading, research and presented that information clearly and effectively in written format

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

  • The module is delivered during two periods of residence in Durham. This mode of teaching and learning will give the opportunity both for coverage of a range of materials at depth by the course leaders and invited speakers; engagement with complex practical issues through the project work and opportunity to engage in a piece of practical work and to reflect on this. Contact time c. 30 hours.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 18 Blocks 1 & 2 1.5 hours 27
Presentations 6 Block 2 0.5 hours 3
Preparation & Reading 270
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay - In the essay you should develop the case-study presented for the formative assessment. You should reflect critically on a) the role and b) your exercise of it in the light of sustained and critical engagement with Christian and secular sources. You may choose to reflect on the opportunities and challenges presented by the role and how you addressed them, drawing on theological and contemporary insights. You should show a growth in self-awareness and demonstrate an attentiveness to the learnings in the process. You should also reflect on the way you sought to develop leadership in at least one other person, and evidence what this required of you as someone in leadership and what you learned through the process, drawing in insights from both Christian and secular sources. 5,000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Case-Study Presentation: Choose an area where you are a) currently exercising or developing leadership and b) developing or seeking to develop the leadership of at least one other person. This could be in a secular or explicitly Christian context – and could be related to a formal leadership role, as part of a placement or a one-off event (e.g. a Christian camp). (If necessary, and with the agreement of the course tutor, this case study could relate to a role exercised in the recent past.) In the presentation you should briefly introduce the leadership role and then reflect on the way you understand and exercise this role in the light of Christian and secular insights. You should also outline briefly the ways in which you plan to develop one other person in their leadership role. You should present for up to 20 mins and then engage in feedback and dialogue with your peers and course tutor for up to 10 mins.


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