Bachelor of Arts Honours in Theological Studies

Depending on the selection of specific modules, the primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with:

• advanced personal, intellectual and practical skills in the acquisition, analysis, interpretation and understanding of scientific principles, methods and contents of the various theological and human sciences disciplines
• advanced practical competence in the application of the above-mentioned skills in church and society
• advanced practical competence in the interpretation of diverse Old Testament texts
• advanced insight into the theological and ethical trust of the Old Testament and new Testaments
• advanced competence in a career in theology and/or the humanities
• advanced competence to provide a basis for further learning in the various theological and human science disciplines.

Learners should demonstrate an advanced reflective competence in

• applying knowledge of the history of the Church and the development of the Christian faith in modern Christianity
• basic skills in providing pastoral care to people in their various needs
• understanding and proclaiming the Christian doctrines
• as learners, to build a team, to effectively manage and lead the local assembly to fulfil the duty of the Church in the word and to reflect on the process
• skills in interpreting the Bible and to apply the knowledge and adopt a positive implementation of Christian discipleship values in their lifestyle and vocation
• understanding the central truth of the different world religions in relation with Christianity and tolerate meaningful dialogue between them

To enrol for this qualification, potential learners must demonstrate that they have acquired basic intellectual competencies and practical skills to discuss, problematise and investigate the background and the content of the Bible as holy Scriptures of Christianity, the history of the Church and the development of the Christian faith, the Christian doctrines, Pastoral care to people in their various needs, as well as the management and leadership of the local assembly. They should understand the central truth of the different world religions in relation with the Christian truth and to create meaningful and respectful dialogue between them.

NQF level 6 in Theology or equivalent qualification (BA in Theology 3 (a, b, c and d) as main subjects).

Recognition of prior learning

If a prospective learner does not fully comply with the entrance requirements, current competencies in the field of religion that have been acquired by prior learning through relevant experience will be assessed by the University and the Seminary. The official procedure of the University and the Seminary regarding recognition of prior learning will be acceptable. it is the duty of the applicant to make available to the University and the Seminary all the necessary documents and proof of prior learning through experience in order for the assessment to be done.

Learners who apply for advanced placement in the programme will be accredited for relevant previously generated credits. The University and the Seminary will decide on the relevancy of the credits preciously generated.

The learners should be able to

1. Understand and to communicate at an advanced level the Biblical standpoint on various issues; the work of the Holy Spirit, the composition and function of the church and its members and to promote the development thereof;
2. Identify and reflect at an advanced level on the position and roll of God's Kingdom in this broken world, the relation between the church and state and their mutual responsibilities;
3. Demonstrate, the ability at an advanced level, to understand and interpret the various genres in the Old Testament and to apply the knowledge in proclaiming the Christian truth and in caring for people;
4. Evaluate the history of the church at an advanced level to understand its own Christian tradition in relation to others;
5. Evaluate and reflect, at an advanced level, on the different aspects of the church healing ministry and to promote a responsible healing ministry;
6. Identify and reflect, at an advanced level, on the central truth of the different world religion in relation with the Christian truth and to create meaningful and respectful dialogue between them;
7. Identify and express, at an advanced level, their Christian discipleship and vocation in the context of the New Testament Christian ethos and to adopt a positive implementation of Christian discipleship values in their own lifestyle and vocation;
8. Interpret and reflect, at an advanced level, on various New Testament genres in their historical and literary context and to meaningfully relate Christian ministry and experience to the founding texts of the Christian movement;
9. Communicate, at an advanced level, the Christian faith relevant and effectively to individuals and groups in culturally diverse environments;
10. Identify and understand, at an advanced level, various counselling models and to do pastoral care by applying relevant models, methods and skills in culturally diverse environments and to conduct the various norms of Christian liturgy;
11. Communicate and reflect, at an advanced level, on Christian education to people in their various developing stages;
12. Work, at an advanced level, effectively as leaders with other members of a team, to manage and to lead the local assembly to fulfil the church's duty in the world and to reflect on the process.

The learner can: / Does the learner

1. Effectively communicate the Biblical standpoint orally or in writing as required on issues such as; The work of the Holy Spirit, the composition and function of the church and its members and to promote the development thereof;
2. Effectively communicate orally or in writing as required to identify on the position and roll of God's Kingdom in this broken world, the relation between the church and state and their mutual responsibilities;
3. Demonstrate orally in writing as required the ability to identify and to understand the various genres in the Old Testament and to apply the knowledge in proclaiming the Christian truth and in caring for people;
4. Effectively communicate orally or in writing as required the meaning and truths of the church history and the relation of his own Christian tradition in relation to others;
5. Display the ability to evaluate orally or in writing as required the different aspects of the church-healing ministry and to demonstrate his participation in a healing ministry;
6. Effectively communicate orally or in writing as required the central truth of the different world religions in relation with the Christian truth and to create meaningful and respectful dialogue between them;
7. Effectively communicate orally or in writing as required their Christian discipleship and vocation in the context of the New Testament Christian ethos and to adopt a positive implementation of Christian discipleship values in their own lifestyle and vocation;
8. Effectively communicate orally or in writing as required the various New Testament genres in their historical and literary context and to meaningfully relate Christian ministry and experience to the founding texts of the Christian movement;
9. Communicate the Christian faith relevant and effectively and in groups orally or in writing as required to individuals and groups in culturally diverse environments;
10. Communicate orally or in writing as required the various counselling models and their understanding and ability to conduct the various norms of Christian liturgy, and to do pastoral care by applying relevant models, methods and skills in culturally diverse environments by way of field studies;
11. Effectively communicate orally or in writing as required their ability to do Christian education to people in their various developing stages;
12. Effectively communicate orally or in writing as required their ability as leaders to work effectively with others as members of a team, to manage and to lead the local assembly to fulfil the church's duty in the world.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

Continuous assessment practices form an integral part of the design of this qualification. Learning outcomes are made explicit to learners and there is a coherent assessment strategy in place for each module, with a fair balance between formative and summative assessment strategies.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

Learners are continuously assessed via assignments, presentations, field work , case studies and practical work in local assemblies which is assessed by assessors.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of written and oral examinations as well as practical work, assessment by local assemblies for prescribed practical work in assemblies, field studies in pastoral care and preaching.