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Introduction

This Master's course is well suited for members of a range of professions in education, ministry and pastoral areas, as well as those with an interest in pursuing the study of theology. The degree programme may be undertaken entirely by coursework units or by a combination of coursework and research units.

Admission

Applicants must have either
1) a Bacherlor's degree with substantial studies in the field, or
2) a Bacherlor's degree and a Graduate Certificate (or equivalent) in the field.
Applicants without suitable studies in the field may be considered for entry to the programme but must complete a preliminary programme of additional course units prior to commencing the degree proper. This needs to be discussed with the course co-ordinator.

Credit

No credit will be allowed for studies below the Master's level. If credit is given for prior Master's level work, the maximum credit allowed is 50% of the course.

Duration

Minimum: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Maximum: 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time

Mode of Offering

The course may be undertaken either entirely by coursework units or by a combination of coursework and research units. The course is available both full-time and part-time. It is offered on-campus (internal), off-campus (external) and electronically (on-line). Students may study individual units according to their availability (not all units are currently offered in each mode) in any mixture of modes through Ballart (Aquinas), Brisbane (McAuley at Banyo), Canberra (Signadou), Melbourne (St. Patrick's), and Sydney - Strathfield (Mount St. Mary's) campuses. Remote and international students may be able to complete the degree by on-line and distance units but, depending upon future plans, some form of face-to-face contact may be highly desirable.

Unit offerings

Unit offerings will vary subject to student demand and lecturer availability. Elective units will vary between campuses and from year to year. Each unit has a credit point value of 10, unless otherwise indicated.

Course structure

Students need to complete 80 credit points. At least 60 points must be at advanced level. At least one advanced unit needs to be chosen from Biblical Studies and one from Theological Studies. Other units, not exceeding two, may be chosen, with the permission of the course co-ordinator, from other Master's programmes within the university.

Specialization

The following is a selection of units from the programme from which a person who wishes to specialize in Patristics, Early Christian Studies, and Late Antique Studies may choose. Those units with an * may or may not contain relevant material for the specialization. Students would be well advised to consult with individual lecturers before enroling in order to negotiate the extent to which they may be able to specialize on a Patristic theme in terms of the weekly study and assessment for those units. While the units listed here are those that seem to have the most relevance to a specialization in these fields, other units in the programme not listed here may also have some degree of relevance. Again, students would need to consult with individual lecturers to negotiate how they may complete the unit with a focus on Patristics. A student who simply wishes to gain a further professional qualification and is interested in Patristics, Early Christian Studies or Late Antique Studies, but has no interest in further study after this, would choose any combination of units (while still fulfilling the required course structure) that interested them. On the other hand, a student who wishes later to undertake a research degree (M.Phil. or Ph.D.) in these fields, but whose first degree does not contain sufficient background or who have not been exposed to research (as opposed to coursework) methodologies, would need to follow a more specific course structure. They would be well advised to consult with the course co-ordinator prior to enroling in the programme. This degree would then be, in effect, a bridging course between previous study and enrolment in a research degree programme. Such prospective research degree candidates would need to complete in this degree programme:
1) the two units of Latin (THEO 669 and 670) if they have no previous Latin language qualification, and
2) the introduction to theological research (THEO 628) if they have not previously completed a similar unit; and
3) the two-unit project, three-unit thesis, or four-unit thesis (THEO 613, 614, 641) if they have not previously completed some research work (such as an Honours' year), and
4) the patristic studies unit (THEO 621) if they have not previously completed a similar unit. This would limit the choices for other units, particularly given the requirements to complete one unit in theological studies and one unit in biblical studies. Here is where prior discussion with the course co-ordinator is important. Discussion needs to take place on a case by case basis, taking into account a person's background and future research interest. Of course, students should consult the official handbook of Australian Catholic University to verify the accuracy of this advice and to find further information on admissions.

I. FOUNDATIONAL UNITS

*THEO 611 Theology of Sacraments
An introduction to the fundamental concepts which act as key interpretative principles for understanding Christian sacraments today. Not only does it examine the history, theology and modes of celebrating what are traditionally known as the seven sacraments, but it also explores the new dimensions and insights of contemporary sacramental theology. A particular focus of the unit is the effect of present-day liturgical renewal on the theological reflection concerning sacraments and sacramentality.

*THEO 660 Jesus the Christ
Students will consider how, in today's cultural context, a reasoned understanding of Jesus' significance can be achieved. The inquiry begins with the way the New Testament writers described Jesus, and asks how the descriptions of Jesus in the early Creeds arose. It examines major Christological developments within the Christian tradition, and considers contemporary approaches to Christology.

THEO 661 Christian Life and Thought to 590CE
This unit introduces students to the Christian world of the first six centuries. It sketches the historical and cultural background in interaction with which the thoughts and practices of the Christian movement took shape.

*THEO 663 Theology of Church
Students will study the historical development of the church, the effect of the theology of the Holy Spirit on the understanding of the church, the traditional marks and signs of the church, and various contemporary ecclesial models. Selected current issues in ecclesiology will be examined.

*THEO 667 Theology of the Human Person
Scripture and subsequent theological perspectives on the origin and destiny of human persons: created in the image of God and in view of Christ, subject to the universal power of sin and recreated in Christ. The unit further focuses upon the Christian person as a member of a community of believers and on the relationship of this community to the wider society and culture.

*THEO 673 Christian Morality
An introduction to the sources, concepts, and areas of debate in the field of Christian morality in the Catholic tradition. The implications of Christian morality for practical issues such as bioethics, environmental ethics, social justice, sexuality and family are examined.

II. ADVANCED UNITS

1. Biblical Studies

THEO 615 New Testament Christology
Builds on a preliminary knowledge of the New Testament and Christology. Emphasis will be laid on developments in modern biblical scholarship affecting Christology, and on Patristic Christology. Development in the Byzantine and Western Medieval period will be addressed. Students will study the modern Christological debate under the following aspects: the quest for the historical Jesus, problems concerning the consciousness and knowledge of Christ, enculturation, liberation theology, the women's movement, and the Australian context.

*THEO 617 Biblical Interpretation

An introduction to historical-critical and recent approaches to biblical interpretation through a detailed study of a specific text such as the Lukan narrative or a section of Deuteronomistic History or one of the Major Prophets. There will be evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the historical-critical and recent approaches.

*THEO 650 Theological Perspectives of the Bible

This unit provides a thematic approach to the canonical literature of the Hebrew and Christian traditions.

THEO 674 The Corinthian Correspondence

This unit involves a detailed study of the text of 1 and 2 Corinthians with a view to understanding the nature and concerns of the church in Corinth and the theology and pastoral issues addressed from Paul contained in these letters. It also examines the social, religious and historical background of the Christian community in Corinth.

THEO 675 A Synoptic Gospel

This unit provides students with the opportunity for advanced study of either the Gospel of Matthew or the Gospel of Luke. The unit will examine the social, religious and historical contexts, the literary genre and narrative construction of the gospel, and its theological interpretation of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

THEO 676 Early Christian Literature in Context
This unit is a thematic exploration of the Christian literature of the first century CE. It examines the possible contexts within which the literature should be read and explores how it can be an avenue for investigating the self-definition of emerging Christianity.

2. Theological Studies

*THEO 631 Issues in Systematic Theology
Concentrates on one or more of the following themes: the development of a particular Christian doctrine through a period of history; various approaches to a particular theological issue; critical engagement with the thought of a major theologian or group of theologians.

*THEO 649 Revelation and Tradition

Examines the concept of revelation, the foundational concept of Christian theology, which attempts to express the experience of the divine self-communication. It considers the various understandings and models of revelation, the complementarity of revelation and faith, revelation and the Trinity, the communication of revelation through tradition, the relationship between tradition, revelation and present experience.

3. Ministry and Praxis

*THEO 690 Liturgical Prayer

This unit complements other units that study the Church's major sacramental rites. It introduces students to other liturgical rites and practices of liturgical prayer, non-liturgical prayer, and sacramentals, and to the liturgical year

*THEO 691 The Rites of Initiation

This unit develops foundational knowledge and understanding of the central sacramental rites of the Church. It explores the principal developments and questions surrounding the theological-liturgical understanding and practice of initiation since Vatican II.

4. Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry

*THEO 685 Spirituality and Ministry in the Christian Tradition 1
This unit will examine traditions of spiritual guidance, spiritual direction and spiritual companioning within Christianity. The study will include inquiry into models of spiritual discernment from biblical to contemporary times with special emphasis on each model's theology, focus and process. A variety of traditions and types of prayer will be explored. Students will develop skills that assist them to evaluate critically these traditions and to understand how these foundations inform the ministry of spiritual direction.

5. Religion and Culture

*THEO 665 Religion and Politics
The Christian tradition supports a view of life in which the personal and the social, the spiritual and the ecological, may be integrated and in which the relationship with self, God, others and creation is fundamentally expressed in a concern for justice. An exploration of the interconnectedness between the personal and the social, the spiritual and the ecological, between religion and politics, enables Christian discipleship to retain its integrity in today's global context.

*THEO 666 Culture and the Sacred
This unit aims to develop in students an empathetic understanding of artistic expressions of religious sentiment and belief. Students will study manifestations of the sacred in the Christian tradition and the inextricable connection between culture and Christian faith. They will also be encouraged to confront the problem of recognising and revealing the sacred in our contemporary pluralist culture.

6. Interfaith and Other Religious Studies

*THEO 632 Jews and Judaism
Furthers the students' understanding of Judaism as a living faith tradition. Selected aspects of this tradition are studied in their historical and cultural context, from biblical times up to and including the Holocaust and the emergence of the modern state of Israel. The ways in which Judaism is meeting the challenge of modern society, especially in Australia, will be examined and the promotion of inter-faith dialogue encouraged.

*THEO 683 Christianity and Religious Pluralism

This unit introduces students to the field of religious pluralism with particular focus on Christian dialogue with major world religions. Indigenous and humanistic traditions may also be included. Theological issues and strategies for dialogue are explored. The goal of the unit is to formulate a coherent Christian theology of religious pluralism in the context of interfaith dialogue and postmodern sensibility towards the 'other'.

*THEO 684 Theology and Reconciliation

This unit views the notion of reconciliation through a number of lenses. A scriptural overview of reconciliation is given. The unit also provides an overview of reconciliation in the teaching and practice of the Christian churches. Distinct processes of personal and social reconciliation are outlined. There is specific focus on reconciliation in the Australian context. Christian theologies and spiritualities of reconciliation are described in relation to strategies which promote the ministry of reconciliation. Finally, reconciliation is studied under its diverse liturgical forms

7. Patristics and Historical Studies

THEO 621 The Literature of the Church to Gregory the Great
This unit explores the writings of the patristic era through an introduction to texts in translation. It examines the literary forms used and presents the 'fathers of the church' in their literary and spiritual framework. There will be an opportunity to focus on the work of specific writers.

THEO 643 Women and the Church

Focuses on women's participation in the life of the Christian story with particular emphasis on the early Christian centuries and on developments in the last century. Participants will be introduced to contemporary feminist theologies and the various strands of feminist biblical scholarship, and will endeavour to formulate a new inclusive vision of Church.

*THEO 648 History and Development of the Church
Selected periods in the history of the Christian church are examined, from the pontificate of Gregory the Great to the present day. The unit focuses on those images and dimensions by which the church has sought to express an understanding of itself theologically, and which have been of special significance for subsequent generations. Students will be offered the possibility of concentrating on one or more of the following periods: the world of the medieval Chrstian; the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation; the Age of Absolutism and the rise of secular society; the French Revolution and the modern world.

8. Biblical and Ecclesiastical Languages

THEO 669 Ecclesiastical Latin A This unit aims to give the student the ability to read ecclesiastical Latin, through the study of original texts from biblical, patristic and medieval sources. These include selections from the Vulgate, canon law, the Liturgy, scholastic philosophy, Ambrosian hymns and papal bulls. The unit will cover units 1-20 of John F. Collin's Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin, which provides vocabulary lists, grammatical notes, drills and translation exercises.

THEO 670 Ecclesiastical Latin B
This unit builds on THEO669 Ecclesiastical Latin A with the study of original texts from biblical, patristic and medieval sources. The unit will cover units 21-35 of John F. Collins Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin, which provides vocabulary lists, grammatical notes, drills and translation exercises.

*THEO 671 Biblical Hebrew A
This unit introduces students with no prior knowledge of Hebrew to the alphabet, basic vocabulary, grammar and syntax of the language of the Hebrew Bible. Simple passages from biblical texts are used to introduce the principles of translation.

*THEO 672 Biblical Hebrew B
Building on Biblical Hebrew A, this unit extends students' knowledge of Hebrew vocabulary and grammar and focuses on the translation of selected biblical texts.

9. Theological Research

THEO 608 One-Unit Project
Students have the opportunity to research a specific topic that is of particular interest/significance in their professional area. The topic of the project would need to be approved by the appointed supervisor. Assessment would be between 5,000 - 10,000 words.

THEO 613 Two-Unit Project (20 cp)
Students have the opportunity to research a specific issue that is of particular interest/significance in their professional area. The topic of the project would need to be approved by the appointed supervisor. Assessment would be between 10,000 - 15,000 words.

THEO 628 Introduction to Theological Research
Provides an introductory preparation for students who wish to undertake specialised research in theology. Contemporary models and methodologies are surveyed, and theoretical and practical issues are considered in relation to particular theological disciplines. The unit assists students to define a research problem, conduct a literature review, and explore the appropriate design and methodology for their study.

THEO 633 Special Study
Provides an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of an area of special interest which is not covered in other available master's units or which arises from a unit previously studied in the course. It will allow students to develop skills of project design and analytical research, and to integrate theory and practice in an independent or cooperative study.

THEO 614 Three-Unit Thesis (30 cp)
After successful completion of THEO 628 a student may undertake this unit. Students need to have performed at Distinction level or higher in coursework units. The thesis will be prepared under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the School Committee on the recommendation of the relevant Head of School. The selection of a topic or general area of research should be discussed with appropriate staff well before the commencement of the academic year. An initial proposal for a research area is to be submitted to the relevant Head of School on the prescribed form no later than 1 December of the previous year. Students may be advised at this stage to discuss their proposals with particular staff members. A more detailed research proposal, set out according to Faculty guidelines, is to be submitted. The thesis is an independent study involving the preparation of a thesis of between 15,000 and 25,000 words. At this stage, the Head of School will make a formal recommendation to the School Committee concerning the appointment of a supervisor.

THEO 641 Four-Unit Thesis (40 cp)
After successful completion of THEO 628 a student may undertake this unit. Students need to have performed at Distinction level or higher in coursework units. The thesis will be prepared under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the School Committee on the recommendation of the relevant Head of School. The selection of a topic or general area of research should be discussed with appropriate staff well before the commencement of the academic year. An initial proposal for a research area is to be submitted to the relevant Head of School on the prescribed form no later than 1 December of the previous year. Students may be advised at this stage to discuss their proposals with particular staff members. A more detailed research proposal, set out according to Faculty guidelines, is to be submitted. At this stage, the Head of School will make a formal recommendation to the School Committee concerning the appointment of a supervisor. The this is an independent research study involving the preparation of a thesis between 20,000 and 30,000 words.