THEO250 Christian Symbol, Ritual and Sacrament

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit treats the fundamental sacramentality of the world, particularly as it is expressed in Church; its relation to the mystery of Christ and the Holy Spirit. It explores a contemporary sacramental theology, and the way in which sacramental-liturgical celebrations express, celebrate and nourish the Christian life and mission for the reign of God.

 

THEO252 The Johannine Writings

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit will explore a selection of material traditionally associated with the apostle John. The possible social, cultural and religious milieu of the Johannine writings will be explored along with the key theological themes.

 

THEO253 The Biblical Prophets

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit introduces students to a detailed study of the personalities and writings of the prophets in ancient Israel through the study of selected texts.

 

THEO254 Cosmology, Ecology and Theology

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit considers the relationship of cosmological and ecological world views to theology. It examines the story of the earth's emergent processes, and the meaning and role of the human within this broader context.

 

THEO255 Ancient Israel: Narratives and History

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit involves a study of the Torah (Genesis – Deuteronomy) and the Deuteronomic History (Joshua - 2 Kings).

 

THEO256 Ecclesiastical Latin

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit involves a study of Ecclesiastical Latin through reading and translating original texts.

 

THEO260 Christian Community Experience 

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation Community activity and associated analysis to the equivalent of 100 hours.

Students, after appropriate consultation, choose through this unit to involve themselves in a particular area of Christian activity or concern (for example, Indigenous, groups / communities / institutions involved in spirituality, liturgy, social justice, the arts, care for youth, the elderly, the suffering or disadvantaged). Such an involvement is to be both practical and reflective in accord with the demands of a pastoral and applied theological methodology. This unit is graded Pass/Fail.

 

THEO261 Family, Faith and Spirituality

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit explores the contribution of Christian thought and experience to an understanding of marriage and the family. From a study of the origins and historical developments in Christian understanding of marriage and the family it identifies key concepts and proceeds to an examination of contemporary issues.

 

THEO262 World Religions

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit aims to introduce students to the major religions of the world. Through a phenomenological approach to the study of the foundations of religious belief and practice, students will explore the nature and function of religion in different cultural contexts. There is also a focus on the leading teachers, reformers and stages of development in a number of religious traditions. Aboriginal spirituality will also be considered in view of its importance in the Australian context.

 

THEO269 Church and Social Context

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit explores the social situation of the Christian churches in secularised society, especially in the light of religious and social scientific worldviews. Core functions of Church such as its religious and social identity and organisational and administrative structure are investigated with respect to biblical foundations, historical development and current reality.

 

THEO276 Christ, Community, and Cosmos 

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit examines christological developments within a range of contemporary concerns. The context includes a consideration of the interdependence of all life and the significance of being in relationship with the other—human, earthly, and divine. Students will explore ways in which christology is affected by developments in theology, philosophy, and culture, the planetary dimensions of human existence, and different forms of spirituality.

 

THEO286 Contemporary Catholic-Orthodox Ecumenism

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO144 Eastern Christian Churches: Histories and Traditions
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit examines the on-going relationship that exists between the Catholic Church and the various Eastern Orthodox Churches. The history of the numerous attempts at union will be studied, taking into consideration theological, cultural and political elements. Special attention will be given to the ecumenical stance of the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council. The "Joint Statements" produced by the International Commission for Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue will be studied in detail.

 

THEO287 Sacraments of Initiation in the Byzantine Church

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO144 Eastern Christian Churches: Histories and Traditions
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit will analyse the sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation and Eucharist, in the light of the mystagogy of Nicholas Cabasilas. The patristic basis of classic Byzantine catechesis will be examined through the work of John Chrysostom. The rites of initiation as practised today will be presented and explained in the light of their contemporary catechetical effectiveness.

 

THEO288 Theology of the Icon

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO144 Eastern Christian Churches: Histories and Traditions
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit will examine the theology and history of pictorial art in the Church. Emphasis will be given to the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the role of "icon" in the liturgy and private prayer. The basis of this understanding will be located in Scripture and patristic thought. The development of artistic styles will be traced with reference to their theological basis. The main trends of Eastern and Western religious pictorial art will be compared.

 

THEO292 Jewish Society: 200BCE-200CE 

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit examines the changes and developments within the Jewish community in the Judean and Diaspora world in the late Second Temple period and the early Rabbinic period.

 

THEO293 Earliest Christianity: 30-100CE 

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit explores the various issues associated with the development of Christianity as a distinctive social and religious movement within the Judean and Graeco-Roman context.

 

THEO294 Special Studies: Biblical Studies

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit enables flexibility in the offering of elective units. It provides the possibility of offering a unit that meets the specific needs of students or which reflects the particular expertise of staff or a visiting scholar.

 

THEO295 Religion and Theology in the Australian Context

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit examines both how the Australian context (historical, economic, political, aesthetic and religious) provokes theological reflection, and how a contextualised theology can contribute to Australian culture and society.

 

THEO296 Christian Theology and Inter-Religious Dialogue

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit deals with Christian approaches to major world religions such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and includes a consideration of Aboriginal religions. It first examines the earliest accounts of Christian encounter with other faiths. This leads to a consideration of the history of theology and Church teaching in regard to interfaith encounter and dialogue, and in the context of the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ’s unique role in salvation.

 

THEO297 Special Studies: Christian Practice

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit enables flexibility in the offering of elective units. It provides the possibility of offering a unit that meets the specific needs of students or which reflects the particular expertise of staff or a visiting scholar.

 

THEO298 Special Studies: Christian Thought

10 cp
Prerequisites THEO113 The World and Literature of the Bible and THEO128 God, Faith and the Search for Meaning
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit enables some flexibility in the offering of elective units. It provides the possibility of offering a unit that meets the specific needs of students or which reflects the particular expertise of staff or a visiting scholar.

 

THEO419 Research Methods Seminar

10 cp
Prerequisites Entry into the BTheol (Honours) course
Teaching Organisation This unit will be team-taught, presented through lectures and seminars for the equivalent of 24 contact hours.

This unit is designed for students to prepare for advanced research in the discipline area of their proposed thesis, yet in a context of familiarity both with the methods of the other major disciplines of theology (Biblical Studies, Patristics and Church History, Systematic Theology and Moral Theology), and with the methods of practical theology in its cross-disciplinary concerns. The students will be involved, therefore, in scholarly exercises to highlight the intrinsic demands of their own chosen discipline and the rich interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary context in which their research may be conducted in the University.

 

THEO420 Special Studies in Theology 1

10 cp
Prerequisites Entry into the BTheol (Honours) course
Teaching Organisation Lectures and seminars.

Students will have the opportunity to explore in depth either a classical theological text or a substantial contemporary work. Texts are to be chosen from one of the following discipline areas: biblical studies, patristics and church history, systematic, moral, or practical theology.

 

THEO421 Special Studies in Theology 2

10 cp
Prerequisites Entry into the BTheol (Honours) course
Teaching Organisation Lectures, seminars, discussions and student presentations.

The examination of a key theological theme (creation, revelation, salvation, liberation) and/or specific moral or ethical question (global poverty, work, care for environment, the family, forgiveness) in an interdisciplinary mode. The choice of theme or question will be made in consultation with the lecturer(s) concerned and will normally reflect the research interests of both the student and staff member.

 

THEO501 Approaching World Religions

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

The course includes the history of the churches’ approach to other faiths; the changes in missionary approaches and attempts at new definitions; the problems of speaking about religion and comparing religions; how matters of truth affect religious identify and interreligous communication; the categories of exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism; local and global theologies; doctrine and experience, Word and spirit; dialogue and ethics.

 

THEO502 Biblical Studies

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

This unit is designed to introduce students to an informed critical reading of the biblical text as sacred scripture. Its aim is to enable students to broaden and deepen their engagement with the Bible as sacred scripture in a spirit of open and critical inquiry by drawing on a wide range of exegetical tools of interpretation.

 

THEO507 Christian Morality 

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

An introduction to the sources, concepts, and areas of debate in the field of Christian morality in the Catholic tradition. The implications of Christian morality for practical issues such as bioethics, environmental ethics, social justice, sexuality and family are examined.

 

THEO514 Christian Life and Thought to 590CE

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

This unit introduces students to the Christian world of the first six centuries. It sketches the historical and cultural background in interaction with which the thought and practice of the Christian movement took shape.

 

THEO528 Foundations in Liturgy

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

This unit introduces the Vatican II liturgy, the liturgy documents, the languages of the liturgy, and the theological principles which govern liturgical celebration and religious assembly. Basic structures and forms of liturgy, and requirements for effective liturgical celebration are given attention.

 

THEO542 Theology of Church 

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

This unit explores the ecclesial tradition of the Church from New Testament to modern times. It introduces students to the relevant historical, social and theological contexts and themes of Catholic ecclesiology and highlights the insights of the Second Vatican Council. Students are provided with the opportunity of exploring contemporary ecclesial issues with regard to the local and universal Church from an ecumenical perspective.

 

THEO543 Theology of Sacraments 

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

This unit introduces students to the semiological nature of the sacraments, symbol, ritual and myth. It examines the sacramental dimension of life and the dimensions of religious sacraments. It explores the historical development of sacramental theology and studies contemporary theologies of the sacraments. The unit goes on to examine the sacramental rites.

 

THEO555 Jesus the Christ 

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 this unit students will consider the significance of Jesus Christ in today’s cultural context. The unit begins with the New Testament witness to Jesus, his work and mission, and then investigates the emergence of christological confessions and creeds in the early Church. In the context of the history of christological reflection a number of current christologies are examined.

 

THEO556 Theology of the Human Person

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

This unit explores the origin and destiny of the human person in the light of the ambiguity of the human condition: created in the image of God and in view of Christ, the need of the human person for the grace of Christ and the relationship of human persons to the divine and to the world. The unit then examines the Christian person as a member of a community of believers and the relationships of this community to the wider society and culture.

 

THEO558 Foundations of Christian Faith

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

This unit will introduce students to the study of Catholic theology. It explores the foundational perspectives of the Christian tradition in relation to God, Jesus, Church and sacraments and seeks to encourage students to critically reflect on religious faith as practiced in a diverse and pluralistic world.

 

THEO562 Introducing the Scriptures

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 2 contact hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent. This may include lectures, seminars, student presentations, small group work, and other appropriate activities.

This unit engages students in an introductory exploration of the Bible within its historical and cultural contexts. It introduces students to the principles and processes of Catholic biblical interpretation and provides a foundation for understanding the Scriptures in the life of the Church.

 

THEO563 Introducing Theology

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 2 contact hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent. This may include lectures, seminars, student presentations, small group work and other appropriate activities.

In this unit students will be invited to reflect on the human search for meaning and purpose. Within that context they will examine some of the major beliefs of the Christian faith, particularly as those beliefs have been articulated in Catholic tradition.

 

THEO564 Introducing Church Life

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 2 contact hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent. This may include lectures, seminars, student presentations, small group work, and other appropriate activities.

This unit provides a theological framework to develop a coherent understanding of the Catholic tradition in its communal, sacramental, liturgical and moral dimensions.

 

THEO567 Catholic Ethos and Social Teaching

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 2 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit introduces students to questions of identity and mission in Catholic service agencies. It explores the transformative work of faith-based agencies in the light of their mission and their partnership with the Church. The practices of the agencies will be examined in the light of Catholic social teaching as it has been applied in the various fields of human services in Australia.

 

THEO568 Catholic Ethos and Health Care 

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 2 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent. Taught in intensive mode with lecture input and reflective exercises; web-assisted.

This unit introduces students to questions of the Catholic ethos of the health care sector. It explores the nature of Catholic culture, highlighting its distinctive features. Specifically it examines a Catholic understanding of the human condition, and the existential aspects of health care with regard to healing, suffering, revelation and dying, and the resources available within the tradition for dealing with suffering, health care and dying. It develops elements of a spirituality of health care.

THEO602 Biblical Narrative as Theology 

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

This unit explores the implications for Christian theology of the narrative form of scripture. Students read a significant section of biblical narrative adopting a critical approach. On the basis of this reading, students reflect critically on their theological thinking in issues raised in reading the biblical narrative. The relation of narrative as theology to other theologies and to other approaches to the biblical text is studied.

 

THEO608 One–Unit Project

10 cp
Prerequisites Performance at Credit average grade or above in at least four of the MA Theology coursework units or the equivalent
Teaching Organisation Regular consultation with the nominated supervisor who will facilitate in the development of a research topic, guide the research and comment on written material. The unit may be offered on-campus and online. Independent study under supervision.

Students have the opportunity to study and write on a specific issue that is of particular interest/significance to them. The topic of the project would need to be approved by the appointed supervisor.

 

THEO611 Theology of Sacraments

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

This unit introduces students to the semiological nature of the sacraments, symbol, ritual and myth. It examines the sacramental dimension of life and the dimensions of religious sacraments. It explores the historical development of sacramental theology and studies contemporary theologies of the sacraments. The unit goes on to examine the sacramental rites.

 

THEO613 Two–Unit Project 

20 cp
Prerequisites Performance at Credit average grade or above in at least four units of the course
Teaching Organisation Regular consultation with the nominated supervisor as above, in order to develop a topic, guide the research and comment on written material. The unit may be offered on-campus and online. Independent study under supervision.

Students have the opportunity to study and write on a specific issue that is of particular interest/significance to them. The topic of the project would need to be approved by the appointed supervisor. The 2-unit project is to be completed within a single semester.

 

THEO615 New Testament Christology

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

This unit focuses on the portraits of Jesus in the New Testament and explores the development of Christology in the early Christian communities. Students will study aspects of the modern quest for the historical Jesus and will explore the person and teachings of Jesus in the Jewish context of first century Palestine.

 

THEO618 The Phenomenology of Religion 

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

This unit introduces students to some key aspects of religion from a phenomenological point of view. It also provides students with an approach towards dialogue with other religions.