Postgraduate Diploma: Christian Theology

Purpose

The proposed Postgraduate Diploma: Christian Theology is designed as a non-professional qualification in Christian Theology that elaborates on and refines the basic knowledge attained by successful completion of the Bachelor's Degree: Theology.

The purpose of the qualification is to enable the Postgraduate learner

• To be equipped on an advanced level in applying the principles and perspectives of Scripture in ecclesiastical and social contexts.
• To develop an adequate theoretical framework for church ministry, pastoral counselling, refined ethical decisions in complex situations, leadership in the establishment of sound values and community development.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma: Christian Theology will guide Postgraduate biblical scholars in Theology to apply their knowledge in complicated and challenging ecclesiastical situations. The stakeholder Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA) - is in need of people trained for ministry that will be well equipped to handle current challenges in a changing society in an innovative way. The proposed Postgraduate Diploma strives to provide advanced theoretical building blocks to assist a learner in exercising the necessary higher skills needed to align theory with diverse situations in ecclesiastical praxis in a responsible and effective way.

An appropriate Bachelor's Degree with Theology.

Or

A cognate qualification with Theology at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Types of RPL as defined in the policy document of the NWU

• RPL for Access: establishment of a suitable level of study aimed at a qualification, for a learner who does not qualify for admission into that qualification via the ordinary admission requirements of an institution.
• RPL for Advanced Standing: exemption from certain levels or modules of a course of study on the basis of the candidate's experience/learning acquired prior to applying for RPL.
• RPL for Credit: granting credit for a level or a module of a course of study on the basis of experience gained or learning acquired before applying for RPL. At the NWU a full qualification cannot be obtained by means of RPL.

At the NWU, the maximum portion of a full qualification that could be obtained by means of RPL is a third of the Credits of the full qualification.

Eligibility for RPL at the NWU includes the following

• Learners who lack the minimum requirements for entry into formal learning for higher education qualifications (no articulation exemption or similar status awarded at the completion of NQF Level 4) but have a wealth of experience.
• Learners who have exited formal education at a time in their education careers but have since accumulated experience through work and/or a series of short courses may seek exemption for some modules or levels or status for a whole qualification that would enable them to further their studies.
• Learners who are under-qualified adult learners with some level of professional education, such as teachers or nurses, who want to upgrade their qualifications, may apply for exemption of some modules or levels.
• Learners who want to fast-track progression through a learning programme by way of exemption for modules or levels in consideration of informal or non-formal learning accomplished.

Access to the Qualification

Access to the Qualification is open to all learners meeting the entry requirements for HEQF Level 8 qualifications.

All modules are at NQF Level 8 and are compulsory

• Dogmatics 1, 8 Credits.
• Dogmatics 2, 8 Credits.
• Ethics, 8 Credits.
• Homiletics, 8 Credits.
• Church and Dogma History, 8 Credits.
• Church Polity, 8 Credits.
• Liturgics, 8 Credits.
• Missiology 1, 8 Credits.
• Missiology 2, 8 Credits.
• New Testament 1,16 Credits.
• New Testament 2, 8 Credits.
• Old Testament 1, 16 Credits.
• Old Testament 2, 8 Credits.
• Pastoral Science, 8 Credits.

1. Identify, distinguish and evaluate concepts and theories with regard to Theology as a human and social science.
2. Integrate and apply the range of theological concepts and disciplines (the theological encyclopaedia).

Range: Theological subjects include for example Biblical Studies, Ethics, Systematic Theology, Church Ministries, History of Christianity.

1. Identify and develop personal faith in critical interaction within own context and people with differing views, and exhibit a more advanced degree of critical self awareness.
2. Develop and apply core human and Christian values to contexts.
3. Develop and evaluate insights arising from the various theological disciplines that may contribute to development of Christian ministry and life.
4. Interact constructively with multicultural and multi-faith communities from a theological perspective.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate critical insight into the various viewpoints related to theological issues.
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate own viewpoint.
• Critically compare and use theological and other sources at a more advanced level to explore faith questions and proclaim Christian faith in context.

> Range: Other sources include concordances, commentaries, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, monographs, journals and other secondary literature.

• Use other sources and disciplines when applicable to interpret biblical and other texts.

> Range: Other texts include experiences, e.g. of women; histories and creeds, current documents in churches of various groupings, and narratives, archaeology and history.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Integrate theory and praxis.
• Interpret, compare and critically analyse biblical and other texts.

> Range: Other texts include experiences, e.g. of women; histories and creeds, current documents in churches of various groupings, and narratives, archaeology and history.

• Communicate the Christian message in context, using various written and oral forms; writing at various levels of publication.

> Range: Publication includes but is not limited to Church letters, journals, newspapers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Interpret biblical and other texts to address faith questions.

> Range: Other texts include experiences, e.g. of women; histories and creeds, current documents in churches of various groupings, and narratives, archaeology and history.

• Provide an insightful and critical account of the history and values of faith community and their personal faith development.
• Integrate personal faith development with theological discourse and ministry in own faith communities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Employ advanced critical insight into the complexities of current moral dilemmas.
• Identify, compare and critique key human and Christian ethical principles.
• Engage own learning and analysis at a more advanced level into value based decisions and actions.

> Range: Decisions and actions are based on Christian sources, theology and traditions, in the African context, with cognisance of the international context.

• Identify and evaluate value systems in own community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify and analyse individual, group and societal areas with reference to Christian ministry and life.
• Use theological skills to develop, adapt and critique different models for Christian ministry, life and society.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Present a reliable account of the history and value of other faith communities.
• Analyse the impact of cultural and religious differences on inter and intra community relations beeing sensitive towards different cultures and religions.
• Provide an informed description and constructive relationship with other faith communities relevant to own field of study.
• Formulate and critique own presuppositions.

Integrated Assessment

Each module is facilitated with a system of ongoing assessment in place. Formative and summative assessments are integrally included in the design of each module. Tests/assignments are part and parcel of each module in the proposed qualification. The test and assignment marks are utilised together with an assessment of the quality of a learner's contribution during contact sessions to compile a participation mark. This participation mark determines whether a learner can have access to the final examination opportunities.

Formative and summative assessments are usually deployed on a 50%/ 50% basis.

The quality of the modules included in the qualification is assessed on an ongoing basis. In the course of the presentation of a module an evaluation form must be completed by each learner. The directors of the two schools involved in the Postgraduate Diploma: Christian Theology (the director of the School for Biblical Sciences and the director of the School for Ecclesiastical Sciences) will take the necessary steps to address problems indicated by the evaluation process.