Content

This unit enables postgraduate students to fulfill the capstone requirements related to their award and is intended to be taken in the student’s final year. It directs, supports and encourages the integration of student learning across the theological disciplines by means of participation in an integrative seminar and completion of a project that draws on the student’s prior learning and directs it towards an integrative treatment of a chosen topic. Topics may be related to a particular theme identified in advance by Faculty. Projects must include explicit engagement with methodologies, concepts, and content from more than one field; actively address the graduate outcomes of the award in which the student is enrolled; and show awareness of the issues related to creative and effective communication of theological ideas. Seminars will provide an overall framework for integrative learning while specific content will be largely determined by the participants’ own interests and experience. Students will be expected to present their ideas to their peers and members of faculty and to engage in critical interaction and feedback within the seminar process and at a colloquium before a wider group.

Unit code: XX9900P

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Capstone

Unit discipline: Capstone Other X

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate a critical and sophisticated understanding of the methodologies, concepts and key issues from at least two fields of study explored in their prior learning.

2.

Articulate points of synthesis and integration between different fields of theological study (biblical, historical, systematic, philosophical, practical)

3.

Direct their understanding towards the generation of new questions and insight in relation to a chosen project that relates to at least two fields of theological study.

4.

Present integrated theological ideas coherently, creatively and effectively, taking into account critical feedback from peers

5.

Plan and execute a substantial integrative project, drawing on advanced skills in research, writing and presentation.

Unit sequence

Requires completion of the postgraduate foundational units and at least 50% of elective units relevant to the award. The capstone unit will usually be taken during the last two semesters of the coursework.

Pedagogy

Seminar, independent research, participation in a community of practice

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bass, Dorothy C., Dykstra, Craig, (eds.), For Life Abundant: Practical Theology, Theological Education, and Christian Ministry. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
  • Berry, Ralph, The Research Project: How to Write It. 4th edition; London: Routledge, 2000.
  • Farley, Edward, Theologia: The Fragmentation and Unity of Theological Education. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2001.
  • Ghiloni, Aaron J., ‘On Writing Interdisciplinary Theology’, Practical Theology 6 (2013), 9–33
  • Gorringe, Timothy, Furthering Humanity: A Theology of Culture. Basingstoke: Ashgate, 2004.
  • Markham, Ian S., A Theology of Engagement. Oxford: Blackwell, 2003.
  • Thielicke, Helmut, A Little Exercise for Young Theologians trans. Charles Taylor. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1962.
  • Yaghjian, Lucretia B., Writing Theology Well: A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers. New York / London: Continuum, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay 8000 words, 60% (or 90% if the mark is higher than that attained for assignment 2)

8000 60.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar

10.0
Oral Presentation

Oral Presentation 10 mins presentation and 15 minutes class discussion

0 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 29 Sep, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:50 +1000