Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module TMMC3161: Corporate Engagement with Context B

Department: Theology, Ministry and Mission

TMMC3161: Corporate Engagement with Context B

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • TMM1661 Corporate Engagement with Context B; TMMC2201 - Corporate Engagement with Context B

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 A, 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 mission and pastoral care (including aspects of leadership) and the development of the skills of critical theological reflection, especially in relation to a growing competence in the facilitation of corporate theological reflection.

Content

  • This module is a collaboration 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
  • the study and practice of theological reflection methodologies and of methods for analysing and reading a context. Both personal and collaborative theological reflection is practiced
  • contextual engagement with the key themes of relevant disciplines, with a particular focus on opportunities to develop further understanding and practice of pastoral care and mission
  • supervision by on-site staff (usually the church / project leader) and a tutor in the students’ own training institution.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • [BA SSK 3] [Graduate Cert / Dip SSK 1]
  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding of methods of theological reflection, explaining how they function.
  • Describe and analyse the role of Christian pastoral care at different stages of life, comparing ecclesial and contextual understandings of pastoral care in a range of contexts in and beyond the church and engaging with questions raised by them.
  • Discuss and critically evaluate models of missionary engagement in the light of contemporary cultural trends, drawing on theological and other appropriate disciplines, and exploring questions raised by them.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • [BA SSS 2, 3] [Graduate Cert / Dip SSS 1, 2]
  • Demonstrate competence in facilitating corporate theological reflection confidently and adapt their skills to new settings.
  • Draw on a range of disciplines to reflect critically on, and respond sensitively and effectively to, pastoral situations relating to different life stages, showing sensitivity to the limits of religious knowledge and experience.
  • Critically evaluate mission strategies and extend them appropriately and creatively to new contexts, communicating their findings effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Key Skills:
  • [BA / Grad Dip KS 3, 4] [Grad Cert KS 3]
  • Take responsibility for a project that involves the exercise of initiative, independent inquiry, the management of time and resources, making decisions collaboratively in complex and unpredictable contexts, meeting deadlines, critically evaluating the project and learning from it.
  • Take responsibility for 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 and Placements
  • Personal Study
  • Summatively assessed via a Placement Report, Group Facilitation and Written Theological Reflection

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 4 1.75 hours 8
Seminars 8 1 hour 8
Placements 100
Personal Study 84
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Report Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Placement Report (Pastoral Care) 2500 words 100%
Component: Oral Assessement with Commentary Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Oral Assessment with Commentary (Mission) - 20 minute presentation and 1000 word commentary 100%

Formative Assessment:


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