THEL200 Faith and Human Development 

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit explores interlocking themes in human and faith development: Faith and other models of life-cycle development as described by Fowler, Erikson, Levinson, the Whiteheads, and Sheehy. These psycho-social themes are considered in relation to insights from narrative theology: storytelling as fundamental to being human, that people express the deepest meaning of their lives in story form. The art of listening is part of the theological task of the pastoral carer.

 

THEL201 Theology, Psychology and Human Experience

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit investigates the issues and significant points of integration and difference between theology and psychology in the context of their common interest in the welfare of the human person. It involves study of the dynamics of human experience and the religious understanding of God as mystery. The course also explores the human experience of grace, love, prayer, sin and salvation in the light of psychoanalytic, humanistic and transpersonal perspectives and the role that this experience plays in the formation of frameworks of meaning. Such frameworks assist the human person in creating a sense of meaning and identity, to entering into social relations and, developing a coherent response to life situations. A particular point of departure between the two fields is the distinct significance of the spiritual in theology and how this is different to the psyche.

 

THEL600 New Testament Greek A

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks, or equivalent. This unit may be offered at on-campus and online.

This unit introduces students to the alphabet and basic morphology, syntax and vocabulary of New Testament Greek.

 

THEL601 New Testament Greek B

10 cp
Prerequisites THEL600 New Testament Greek A
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks, or equivalent. This unit may be offered at on-campus and online.

This unit will further develop the knowledge and skills acquired in New Testament Greek A.

 

THEL602 Theology Today

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 2 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent. The unit may be offered on-campus and online.

In the light of the history of theology, this unit treats of challenges facing theology at the beginning of the 21st Century, and invites critical reflection on the developments that have occurred. It considers theological method in its efforts to relate theology to the church, the university and to society at large. It pays special attention to various dialogical structures, as with theology in relation to science, interfaith communication, emancipation and liberation movements, art, spirituality and the “multicultural” context of our day. Students are encouraged to focus on the work of one or other influential contemporary theologian (eg von Balthasar, Rahner, Pannenberg, Lonergan).

 

THEL603 Introduction to Ministry

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit gives students an in depth study of the theory and practice of ministry within the Christian Tradition. It investigates biblical and theological themes and historical and contemporary approaches to ministry and pastoral practice. It compares and contrasts ordained, lay and secular ministries. Finally, it provides skills and resources for competent pastoral practice.

 

THEL604 Catholic Social Thought

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit is an exploration of the development of Catholic Social Thought as a critical reflection on and response to the social teaching found mainly in a series of papal encyclicals, dating from 1745 onwards. The course draws on biblical, theological and sociological disciplines. Biblical foundations are examined, with an emphasis on themes of justice. The unit will include concepts typical of Catholic Social Thought, such as the dignity of the person, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, and equality.

 

THEL605 Theological Reflection on Ministry

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit provides students with skills to reflect on pastoral and ministerial experience. Through the use of a variety of models of theological reflection students will learn to identify, analyse and construct spiritual meaning from life experiences. The unit enables students to become competent pastoral ministers and subsequently to apply the method of theological reflection to the development of a research project. A supervised experience in a pastoral setting will be central to the learning process.

 

THEL606 Leadership in Ministry

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit will investigate Christian leadership and the challenges it raises for Catholic ministry in a variety of institutional settings. The unit will describe the conflicting interests of charism and community building in the early church. It will then explore that same tension between charism and institution in the contemporary context.

 

THEL607 Ministry Practicum 1

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit offers students the opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practice and reflection in ministry. It provides practical experience in ministry that fosters mutual enrichment between the academic study and the practice of ministry enabling the tasks of ministry to challenge and enrich the student's academic study and for this study to challenge and enrich the student's practice of ministry.

 

THEL608 Ministry Practicum 2

10 cp
Prerequisites THEL607 Ministry Practicum 1

This unit offers students further opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practice and reflection in ministry. Like Ministry Practicum 1, it provides practical experience in ministry that fosters mutual enrichment between the academic study and the practice of ministry enabling the tasks of ministry to challenge and enrich the student's academic study and for this study to challenge and enrich the student's practice of ministry.

 

THEL609 Contexts of Ministry

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit engages students in research into current issues in a world context which impinge on ministry in Australia. It will investigate latest and best ministry practices related to issues such as HIV Aids, Indigenous issues, contemporary spirituality, substance abuse, domestic violence, disconnectedness of young people and multi-religious societies.

 

THEL610 Special Topics in Catholic Social Thought

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit is an exploration of the place of Catholic Social Thought in relation to secular systems of thought such as Marxism, socialism and liberal capitalism. The unit will explore social Catholicism in action in the form of the church’s social role, Catholic social thought in relation to contemporary policy thinking, the social role of the churches and justice and peace movements since Vatican II. It will also study applications to public issues such as conditions of labour, capitalism, poverty, refugees, peace and justice.

 

THEL611 Religious Diversity: Ministry in Contemporary Australia

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit will examine contemporary approaches to ministry in the light of the changing Australian and global context. It will explore the perceived growth of spirituality as distinct from religion and examine the increased percentage of Australian people who no longer identify as adherents of a particular religion. The unit will explore the religious composition of contemporary Australian society in the light of the increasing diversity of its population.

 

THEL612 Intimacy and Relationships

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit will explore the connection of intimacy to Christian spirituality and ministry. It will look at a healthy development of one's sexuality and the importance of developing life-giving relationships. Also to be explored will be the spirituality of sexuality which views sexuality as a gift that incarnates the creativity and love of God. The unit will explore ways in which Catholic theologians, ethicists and the church have thought about human sexuality and developed norms for its expression in Christian life. The connections amongst theology, ethics, church teaching, spirituality and relationships will be considered. The unit will include the stages of sexual development and an understanding of intimacy, as well as a consideration of boundaries and the underlying dynamics that give rise to sexual difficulties. It will also include a study of Integrity in Ministry.

 

THEL613 Grief and Loss

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit provides students with knowledge of grief and loss theory and enhances their skills for ministry to the bereaved. It will engender appreciation of the unique experience and expression of grief and mourning with regard to the personal, family, social and cultural context. A range of historical and current perspectives in the literature specific to grief and loss theory and their implications for ministry will be considered. The Christian tradition on eschatology will be examined in the light of biblical theology, modern hermeneutical considerations and the approaches of several contemporary theologians. The needs of individuals at different stages of the lifespan, as well as different cultural groups, and the context of their specific bereavement experiences will be examined. The unit will also address the importance of self-awareness and ethical practice in relation to the practice of ministry.

 

THEL614 Ageing 

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit will focus on the spiritual and psychosocial needs associated with ageing within a trans-cultural context. Students will be introduced to the assessment of the older person, their social and physical environment and the strategies used to maintain holistic health status based on these assessments. The Australian political economy, social issues and trends that impact on service delivery arrangements for healthy, as well as older people with disabilities, will be explored. Processes that may be used to assist the older individual to reach a sense of personal integration will be examined and critiqued as they relate to ministry.

 

THEL615 Youth Ministry 

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit will help students to understand the nature, content and significance of ministry to young people and to apply this understanding in contemporary Youth Ministry in the Australian setting. It investigates the stages of the adolescent and young adult psychological and faith development. It explores the theological and scriptural foundations for engaging young people in the work of justice, service and leadership. Finally it provides resources and skills for competent pastoral practice in Youth Ministry and for nurturing the spirituality of young people.

 

THEL616 The Arts, Spirituality and Ministry

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit draws together the tradition of Christian spirituality and the arts to see how they can inform ministerial practice. Students will acquire skills to reflect on and evaluate a variety of models of Christian spirituality and the arts as they develop their own gifts and style of ministry.

 

THEL700 Ministry Practicum 3

10 cp
Prerequisites THEL607 Ministry Practicum 1 and THEL608 Ministry Practicum 2

This unit offers students further opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practice and reflection in ministry. Like Ministry Practicum 1 and Ministry Practicum 2, it provides practical experience in ministry that fosters mutual enrichment between the academic study and the practice of ministry enabling the tasks of ministry to challenge and enrich the student's academic study and for this study to challenge and enrich the student's practice of ministry.

 

THEL701 Research Methods

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil

This unit is a compulsory unit in the Doctor of Ministry. The unit is undertaken in the Doctor of Ministry programs as the final coursework unit in preparation for the development and defence of the research proposal. This unit reviews the main methods and methodologies of research and is designed to assist students to develop their research proposal in preparation for their doctoral project in ministry. While the unit introduces theoretical underpinnings, epistemological issues and research methodology, its focus is on research methods. The course consists of a research methodology component (undertaken as a full group) followed by two separate, parallel components that focus on quantitative and qualitative data collection methods (undertaken as two separate groups). Students will be required to complete the methodology component and the data collection component that relates to their research proposal and thesis. Students conducting a study that employs both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods may elect to take both data collection components.

 

THEL702 Research Project A (Full-time)

20 cp
Co-requisite THEL701 Research Methods

The research project involves independent study relevant to practical ministry under supervision. The research project is expected to be a substantial piece of research relating to contemporary ministry in which a student must demonstrate an ability to conduct an independent research study, making appropriate theoretical connections, and adding to an existing body of knowledge. The project has three stages and in this unit students complete the first stage.

 

THEL703 Research Project B (Full-time)

40 cp
Co-requisite THEL701 Research Methods

The research project involves independent study relevant to practical ministry under supervision. The research project is expected to be a substantial piece of research relating to contemporary ministry in which a student must demonstrate an ability to conduct an independent research study, making appropriate theoretical connections, and adding to an existing body of knowledge. The project has three stages and in this unit students complete the second stage.

 

THEL704 Research Project C (Full-time)

20 cp
Prerequisites THEL701 Research Methods

The research project involves independent study relevant to practical ministry under supervision. The research project is expected to be a substantial piece of research relating to contemporary ministry in which a student must demonstrate an ability to conduct an independent research study, making appropriate theoretical connections, and adding to an existing body of knowledge. The project has been divided into three stages and in this unit students complete the final stage.