Master of Philosophy in Theology

There are two routes which can be followed to achieve the Master of Philosophy

A. Master of Philosophy (by dissertation)

B. Master of Philosophy (by coursework and research paper)

Irrespective of whether route A or route B is taken the purpose of the M Phil (Theology) degree is to provide a general up grading of the NQF levels 6 & 7 in the field of theology. This will enhance the critical skills of the learner, widen the scope of theological investigations at a contextual level and so contribute to the full personal development of the learner and promote the social, moral and ethical development of the nations at large. This qualification will reach a combined study/research qualification at NQF level 8PG3.

Rationale for the qualification

This qualification will cater for religious leaders and other qualified persons in possession of a professional qualification at least N Q F level 6,7 or 8 PG 1 these professional leaders are required to assist the ethical and spiritual transformation of our new democracy. Theological discipline will provide the tools for religious dialogue in a multi cultural society and for the harmonious ordering of the political processes within broadly-based humanism.

This qualification assumes that the learner has basic methodological skills in the area of theology, is conversant with the sources, has mastered research skills and method and aspires to embark on the planning of a research paper or dissertation.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning is given to relevant practical and theoretical experience in the filed and sub-field relevant to this qualification and is assessed by the academic board in conjunction with the rules of access quoted at 4 above.

N/A

Educational outcomes

The learner will

• be able to reason in the light of faith
• be able to reconcile what we experience with what we believe
• develop a sensitivity to cultural issues and their inpact on catholic faith
• be able to provide strong ethical leadership within society and church
• have the critical skills necessary to confront the wide-ranging problems emerging in a rapidly changing world

Outcomes of individual modules

General Programme in Theology

Biblical Literature

The learner will

• know the state of biblical exegesis and hermeneutics at the beginning of the 21st Century
• understand the significance of method and interpretation in changing historical conditions
• be able to make a practical application in a particular situation of biblical exegesis and interpretation.

Catholic Social Teaching

The learner will

• know the significance of the rapid rate of change in the contemporary world
• know the challenges these changes present to Christians in the work place
• understand the developing catholic social teaching over the past 100 years
• be able to provide strong ethical leadership for a rapidly changing society

Church History: Church Councils

The learner will

• understand how disputes were settled in the early Church
• be able to apply the decision making processes relevant to our times
• in a leadership position make a contribution to conflict resolution in church and society.

Contemporary Christologies

The learner will

• analyze the problematic of faith and history with reference to the quest for the historical Jesus
• have a critical appreciation of Jesus of Nazareth and the Christology contained in the pre- and post- Easter perspectives
• focus on Christological controversies, councils and creeds from the second to eighth centuries. These provide the learner with tools for evaluating contemporary trends in Christology and the presentation of Christ in art, film and literature

Eucharistic Ecclesiology

The learner will

• have explored the implications of the sense in which the Eucharist makes the Church
• be familiar with the development of eucharistic ecclesiology since the beginning of the 20th century
• facilitate the growth of the local Church community which will serve as a societal model of unity, harmony and co-operation.

General Survey of Catholic Theology

The learner will

• have as overview of catholic theology
• be able to identify some of the key theological themes
• be able to effectively use theological method and sources
• have developed the ability to think clearly about complex moral issues from a Catholic perspective

God and Trinity in Africa

The learner will

• have surveyed the development of the doctrine of the Trinity with a Greek cultural milieu in the early Church
• have transposed the essence of the doctrine to African culture
• have had practical experience of inculturation so developing a better relationship between Christianity and the African cultural tradition.

Inculturation

The learner will

• recognise the role of culture in Christianity
• understand the way in which the culture component of Christianity is woven into its theology
• understand the notion of inculturation; its strengths and weaknesses
• have learned some theological approaches to the inculturation problematic
• carried out some practical research in the learner's own ecclesial context to investigate ways in which inculturation can be beneficial in the local church

Karl Rahner - 20th Century Theologian

The learner will

• have an understanding of Christianity, both of its meaning and its truth, as realized in Karl Rahner's Foundations of the Christian Faith.
• be able to engage in the discussion of the validity of Rahner's theological synthesis.
• be able to apply, through teaching, Rahner's theological reflections, of the concrete situation of church and society today.

Moral Theology

The learner will

• have the skills obtained through scripture, faith, reason and morality to provide moral leadership in his/her professional or work situation.
• be acquainted with the implications of moral absolutes, conscience and authority, authority and dissent and feminist moral issues in developing skills to uphold the dignity of every person and the furtherance of societal goals.

New Testament Issues

The learner will

• be acquainted with interpretations of the New Testament at several levels.
• be able to apply such interpretations to societal changes at the beginning of the new millenium.
• have a greater understanding of the value of the New Testament for the Church and society.
• be able to evaluate the importance of kingdom values to the moral upliftment of society.

Old Testament Studies

The learner will

• be acquainted with the method in contemporary biblical scholarship in the area of Old Testament studies.
• use the Book of Psalms for a personal appropriation of Old Testament spirituality.
• be able to critically evaluate both the individual and society in the light of prophetic literature.

Philosophy of Religion

The learners will

• be aware of the central problems in the philosophy of religion.
• appreciate the epistemological, metaphysical and anthropological questions involved in religious experience and religious belief
• be familiar with questions relating to African religious beliefs
• have knowledge of some major themes such as the nature of religion and religious belief; world religion and philosophy; the arguments for and against the existence of God: and contemporary reformulations of the problems of evil

Science of Religion

The learner will

• know that science and religion are not in conflict; rather, they ask different questions.
• be acquainted with the theological and philosophical insights on the question of creation, the knowing subject and human access to its reality and purpose.
• be further acquainted with the differing position apropos the relationship between science and religion.
• acquire skills to promote goodwill and harmony between the faith community and the world of science.

Spirituality in the New Testament

The learner will

• be acquainted with a spirituality that empowers a lived relationship with God in Christ through the Spirit.
• be acquainted with an understanding of spirituality within the different traditions of New Testament writings.
• have particular knowledge of the spirituality of discipleship as it emerges from the Gospels with special reference to Luke- Acts & the Johannine writings.

The Sacrament of Marriage

The learner will

• understand the sacrament of marriage in its juridical aspects.
• learn and have a sound basis for pastoral care in marriage.
• have professional expertise in dealing with marriage annulments, the dissolution of the bond and other matters pertaining to the marriage law of the Catholic Church.

Specialisation A: Canon Law

The Theology and History of Canon Law

The learner will

• understand the necessity of law in the church and the historical development of Canon law.
• be able to apply the methodology of Canon law, including relevant sources consulted.
• be able to apply the general norms and procedures used in the code of Canon Law.

The Universal Church and Particular Churches

The learner will

• be acquainted with the structure of the Church at a universal level i.e. the Supreme Authority of the Church.
• understand the internal ordering of the local (or particular) Church.
• be able in a professional capacity to mediate in disputes at various levels within the church.

Obligation and Rights of Christian

The learner will

• be acquainted with the obligations and rights of all Christ's faithful.
• will demonstrate a knowledge of the associations in the Church and the norms governing Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
• be able to uphold the dignity and value of each Christian within the Church.

The Teaching office and the Celebration of the Sacraments

The learner will

• be acquainted with evangelisation as the primary function of the Church.
• have the skills required for effective evangelisation
• have the skills to administer the sacraments according to the law of the Church
• be able to administer other acts of worship and be acquainted with laws concerning sacred places and sacred times.
• be able to provide professional expertise in these areas within the diocese.

The Sacrament of Marriage

See above

Temporal Good and Sanctions in the Church

The learner will

• have knowledge of the meaning of stewardship and the necessity of accountability in the administration of the temporal goods of the Church.
• understand the reason for sanctions in the Church and the manner of applying them.
• be able to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of Church properties and advise the bishop in regard to the application of sanctions against individuals and groups within the diocese (i.e. various forms of abuse)

Processes and Tribunals

The learner will

• be able to vindicate rights in the church.
• have skills to deal with the declaration of the nullity of marriage.
• will know the judicial procedures of the church.
• have professional skills in dealing with contentious issues in the church and thus uphold the dignity and rights of the individual.

Specialisation in Christian Spirituality

Dignity of the Human Person

The learners will :-

• have an overview of the historical development of the notion of human dignity.
• be able to identify situations where dignity is overlooked or where reductionary or distorted accounts of dignity need to be critiqued.
• be able to make responsible decisions and judgements in their diverse professions relating to family life, social and political order, education, justice and equality and human rights, human good and culture.
• be acquainted with debates over multi-culturalism as well as the African view of the human being
• learners will be able to engage contemporary developments in feminist thought and gender issues.

General Survey of Catholic Theology

See above

Catholic Social Teaching

See above

Classical and Contemporary Spirituality

The learner will

• be acquainted with the development of "schools" and "models" of spirituality.
• understand the historical development of Christian spirituality.
• be able to critically discern the emergence of contemporary model of spirituality and the rediscovery of the gifts of the old schools.
• be able to provide spiritual leadership and have the skills to discern the differing gifts of the spirit.

Key Issues in Spirituality

The learner will

• be acquainted with various definitions of Christian spirituality.
• understand the relationship between spirituality and theology; spirituality and culture; spirituality and eco-feminism and spirituality and post-modernism.
• be able to integrate faith and daily experience.
• be better equipped to respond to the call to self-transcendence.

Mysticism

The learner will

• be acquainted with the nature of mysticism and Christian mysticism in particular, misconception concerning mysticism, the theoretical study of mysticism and personal experience and other related issues.
• have knowledge of the principal mystical traditions and the key mystics in the Christian tradition.
• be equipped to provide spiritual direction.

Spirituality and Psychology

The learner will

• be acquainted with the interface of psychology and spirituality.
• have gained knowledge of Jungian spirituality; spirituality and psychic therapy as well as healing and mysticism.
• be able to counsel Christian believers effectively.

Spiritual Direction

The learner will

• understand the rich tradition of Christian spiritual accompaniment.
• be able to dialogue in regard to contemporary writings and development.
• have the skills to provide spiritual direction in a South African context and aid the process of spiritual growth and healing.

Spirituality in the New Testament

See above

Outcomes of research paper

Research paper Outcomes

The learner will

• have developed the ability to identify valuable areas and topics for research especially those linked to his/her own interest, concern or experience
• be able to critically investigate a topic and ground it in an appropriate theoretical framework
• be able to research the available literature on a topic
• have demonstrated an understanding of the chosen field and an ability to apply the research methods appropriate to the field
• be able to explore and analyse data forms in order to provide a (new) perspective or understanding of the problematic
• be familiar with methods of scientific research including writing, referencing and correct style
• be able to defend his conclusions with peers and qualified educators.

Competence is evident when candidates are able

• o read and critically assess theological and scholarly texts and integrate the knowledge gained to think creatively about faith matters
• to use theological methods and sources within their area of specialisation to foster theological research within the Southern African context
• to aid their particular Church/Denomination to facilitate dialogue with other Christians and other faiths and to seek solutions to common problems in a multi-cultural and multi-faith society
• to publish scholarly articles and to research areas of theological and societal concern in Southern Africa.

Integrated assessment

An integrated assessment will have to demonstrate competence at foundational, practical and reflexive levels. The final integrated assessment of the learner in the M Phil (Theology) programme will show that the learner can:

Foundational Competence

• demonstrate mastery of the subject matter of a specialised field within the discipline of theology
• critically evaluate literature within the field
• demonstrate an awareness of the provisional nature of theological statements
• produce written assignments for the various modules of a quality which demonstrates the above
• pass a written examination which assesses the above

Practical competence

• use well-developed theological research skills
• demonstrate a mastery of the research techniques applicable to the specialised field
• critically and independently review evidence which supports a theological conclusion.

The above would be assessed in class discussion, seminars, term papers and interaction in parish groups

Reflexive competence

• demonstrate a capacity for independent study through completion of a research paper
• effectively interact and engage in debate with professional theologian within the specialised field
• adapt theological insights to a multi-cultural milieu within a Southern African context.