Content

The capstone is a summative unit that is required for all Bachelor awards. It provides students with the opportunity to undertake an integrative project across a range of theological disciplines addressing the learning outcomes for the relevant Bachelor award. In consultation with a member of faculty the student will seek to either address a theme, topic, problem, or area of professional practice. The student will be required to demonstrate capacity: for critical engagement, integration of learning across theological disciplines, structuring considered arguments, the development of appropriate methodology, and effectively communicating theological ideas. Integrative learning will be scaffolded by seminars which will provide a locus for critical engagement and feedback from peers and members of faculty, contributing to the forming process of both student and research project.

Unit code: XX3735B

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Capstone Other X

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Eva Burrows College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Apply a critical understanding of the methodologies, concepts and key issues from at least two fields of study.

2.

Demonstrate the application of broad, coherent and critical knowledge across fields of study.

3.

Synthesise and integrate ideas across different fields of theological study.

4.

Present integrated theological ideas coherently, creatively and effectively, engaging with critical feedback from peers.

5.

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

6.

Demonstrate attainment of the course outcomes of the particular bachelor award in which they are enrolled.

Unit sequence

This capstone unit is required to be completed as part of a Bachelor degree. It may only be taken in the final two semesters of study.

Pedagogy

Students will form and develop their integrative project via faculty supervision and critical interaction with peers. The seminars will encourage and facilitate the clear articulation of the major aspects of the project together with critical engagement by peers and faculty across disciplines. Students will be expected to indicate how they have responded to such feedback, and the ways in which this has improved the outcomes of their project. This will contribute to the capacity of students to undertake independent research, but as part of a community of emerging scholars and practitioners.

Indicative Bibliography

Bass, Dorothy C., and Craig Dykstra (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.

Graham, E., H. Walton, and F. Ward. Theological reflection: Methods. 2nd edition, London: SCM, 200519.

Graham, E., H. Walton, and F. Ward, F. Theological reflection: Sources. London: SCM, 2007.

Markham, Ian S. A Theology of Engagement. Oxford: Blackwell, 2003.

McAlpin, Kathleen. Ministry That Transforms: a contemplative process of theological reflection. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2009.

B. Miller-McLemore (Ed.). The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Practical Theology. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.

Thompson, Judith, Stephen Pattison, and Ross Thomson. SCM Study Guide to Theological Reflection. London: SCM Press, 2008.

White, Barry. Mapping Your Thesis: the comprehensive manual of theory and techniques for masters and doctoral research. Camberwell, VIC: Acer Press, 2011.

Yaghjian, Lucretia B. Writing Theology Well: A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers. New York/London: Continuum, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Project Report or Project Journal - Research project 4000 80.0
Oral Presentation - Presentation of chosen project at a seminar with due weight given to the critical integration of ideas and peer feedback. 500 10.0
Seminar or Tutorial - Attendance at and interacton in three seminars (either face to face or online) comprising intentional, reflective and critical interaction with tutors and peers. 500 10.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 28 May, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2020-05-29 14:50:01 +1000