Bachelor of Theology

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Theology is suitable to produce learners who wish to pursue the ordained ministry of the Church of Southern Africa.

The qualification aims to

• Enhance the quality of lay ministry in the church.
• Develop an informed lay leadership,
• Increase participation of lay people in the life and work of the church.

Although primarily designed to meet the requirements of the Church, the qualification is broad and inclusive enough to satisfy theological approaches of the Catholic and other Protestant Churches. The qualification seeks to achieve the requirements for the preparation of men and women for the ordained ministry of the Church. This is done within a residential setting that promotes community life, spiritual formation, the nurturing of Christian piety and disciplined life, after the manner of Christ by the rhythm of daily prayer, meditation and worship, work and study, and community outreach. The result is an integrated and holistic educational and formative experience based on a rigorous academic qualification that promotes independent thinking, criticality and cognitive depth.

Qualifying learners will be able to

• Interpret, integrate and apply Christian sources in context.
• Understand their communities, in the light of the history of Christianity, and position themselves responsibly in their contexts.
• Evaluate and apply Christian theology and ethics personally and in the community.
• Analyse information critically and articulate and communicate effectively.
• Practice and evaluate ministries in the church.
• Initiate and develop Christian ministry in the wider community.

Rationale

The qualification provides recognition to learners interested in ministry and leadership within the church and society. It offers an opportunity to integrate theory and practice in a manner that promotes personal and societal transformation. The qualification will, therefore, be of benefit to those pursuing a vocation in the ordained ministry of the church, and to those who are eager to understand their faith more deeply. Enquirers, the curious, and those eager to learn for its own sake will find the qualification intellectually challenging, socially relevant, and contextual, and will extend their vistas of knowledge.

The qualification provides evidence that will be of use in the discernment processes used by the church and offers a foundation from which further ministerial formation may occur. The qualification provides recognition to learners who have proved themselves as competent to offer ministry and leadership within both church and society. It offers an opportunity to integrate theory and practice in a manner that promotes personal and societal transformation.

Learners who complete the qualification will be positioned to enter the ministry of the Church and other faith-based ministries with a level of professionalism that will make them competitive. The bedrock standard for the Church to ordain ministers of the church is a Diploma in Theology (NQF level 6) and as such, learners with the Bachelor of Theology will have vast opportunities to enter the ordained ministry of the Church and other faith-based ministries. The qualification provides evidence that will be of use in the discernment processes used by the church and offers a foundation from which further ministerial formation may occur.

The qualification set at NQF level 7 will allow learners to continue after this degree with post-graduate studies such as an Honours Degree in Theology or a Post Graduate Diploma in a cognate field.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution recognises that learning occurs in various contexts: formal, informal, and non-formal.

The institution a

• Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies allows application for RPL for the following purposes:
• RPL for access:
• To provide an alternative access route into a qualification for those who do not meet the formal entry requirements for admission.
• Advanced standing, where a learner possesses a given qualification that exceeds the admission requirements.
• Placement of learners into appropriate qualifications through a variety of formative and summative assessment practices resulting in a portfolio of evidence or examination.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 04 granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies.

or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 04 with endorsement.

or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), NQF Level 04 granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Theology, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5,120 Credits.

• Academic Literacy and Language, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to the Old Testament, 12 Credits.
• Pastoral Studies, 12 Credits.
• Early Church History, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to the New Testament Greek, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to the New Testament, 12 Credits.
• Parish Management, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Theology, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, 12 Credits.
• Medieval: Reformation Church History, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6,120 Credits.

• Old Testament Studies: Exploring the Prophets, 12 Credits.
• Christian Ethics I, 12 Credits.
• Trinity and Christology, 12 Credits.
• Anglican Studies I, 12 Credits.
• Homiletics, 12 Credits.
• New Testament Studies: Exploring the Letters, 12 Credits.
• Missiology, 12 Credits.
• A Survey of Christian Doctrine: Creation to Eschaton, 12 Credits.
• Liturgy, 12 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 84 Credits.

• Theology and Development, NQF level 7, 24 Credits
• Contextual Theologies, NQF level 7, 12 Credits
• Christianity and the Church in Africa, NQF level 7, 12 Credits
• Christian Ethics Third Year, NQF level 7, 12 Credits
• Anglican Studies Third Year, NQF level 7, 12 Credits
• Transforming Christian Education, NQF level 7, 12 Credits

Elective Module, Level 7, 36 Credits (Select one module from the following specialisations)

• Biblical Studies Specialisation (Select one module)
• Biblical Studies: Special Focus, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits
• Issues in Biblical Interpretation, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits
• Old Testament Studies: Old Testament Texts (English), NQF Level 7, 12 Credits
• Old Testament Studies: Old Testament Texts (Hebrew), NQF Level 7, 12 Credits
• Old Testament Studies: Exploring the Wisdom and Poetic Literature, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits
• New Testament Studies: Exploring The Apocalypse of John, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits
• New Testament Studies: New Testament Texts (English), NQF Level 7, 12 Credits
• New Testament Studies: New Testament Texts (Greek), NQF Level 7, 12 Credits
• New Testament Studies: New Testament Theology, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits.

Systematic Theology Specialisation (Select one module)

• Reading in Theology, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits.
• Sacramental Theology, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits.
• Independent Study in Systematic Theology, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits.
• Research in Systematic Theology, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits.
• Theology and Aesthetics - Encountering God in Art, Literature and Music, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits.

Practical Theology Specialisation (Select one module)

• Pastoral Counselling in African Contexts, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits.
• Christianity in Southern Africa, NQF Level 7, 12 Credits.
• Research Paper in Practical Theology, 12 Credits.

1. Identify, critically evaluate and apply leadership, educational and pastoral care models suitable for use with individuals and/or groups in relation to specific contexts and circumstances.
2. Evaluate, develop and articulate critical theological thinking in relation to systematic theology, scripture, Christian spiritualties, Christian teaching, the history of the church and the contemporary context.
3. Critically analyse, interpret and reflect upon primary texts from the Christian traditions using a variety of academic models and methods
4. Demonstrate an ability to undertake and interpret in-depth analysis of specific contexts in the light of theological, pastoral, ethical, and where appropriate, other disciplines, in a range of complex and unpredictable contexts, to formulate appropriate responses to the needs of persons in and beyond the church.
5. Explain and analyse Anglican theological, ecclesial, ethical, liturgical, pastoral and spiritual understandings and practices, demonstrating an ability to critically evaluate and apply such practices to enable and empower the life of the church.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of key models relevant to a variety of activities including leadership and development, Christian education and pastoral care.
• Critically evaluate a range of practical theology models suitable for use with individual persons and groups.
• Select, apply and demonstrate skills, techniques and values consistent with Christian leadership, education, and pastoral care in a variety of social contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Define key concepts and models pertinent to the development of critical theological thinking in relation to systematic theology, scripture, Christian spiritualties, Christian teaching, the history of the church and the contemporary context.
• Apply critical theological thinking shaped by systematic theology, scripture, Christian spiritualties, Christian teaching, in the analysis of the church history and the contemporary context.
• Assess the impact of different theological models in relation to a variety of social contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Define key concepts and models relevant to the interpretation of primary texts.
• Compare and contrast different academic models and methods, both in theory and in relation to their application, to a selection of primary texts.
• Identify subtexts in relation to a variety of readings of primary texts from the Christian traditions.
• Summarise key developments in the reception history of core Christian documents.
• Reflect on primary texts from the Christian traditions in the context of personal and spiritual development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse and critically interpret complex and unpredictable contexts by applying theological, pastoral, ethical, or (where appropriate) another disciplinary lens.
• Produce research directed to understanding contemporary social contexts.
• Develop and evaluate responses to the needs of persons in and beyond the church on the basis of in-depth analysis informed by disciplinary (theological, pastoral, ethical or other) theory.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Describe and analyse various practices and theoretical underpinnings of Anglican theology, ecclesiology, liturgy and pastoral care.
• Critique understandings and practices of Anglican theology, ecclesiology, liturgy, spirituality and pastoral care with regard to their ability to enable and empower the life of the Church.
• Apply Anglican theological, ecclesial, ethical, liturgical, pastoral and spiritual understandings to a variety of practices to enable and empower the life of the Church.