THEO260 to THEO298

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.

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

Preqrequisites 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 AustralianContext                                                                  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.