CENTRE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING - CHRISTIAN STUDIES

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 as KL 1004.

Overview

This course is an introduction to the principal faiths of the Near East - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is followed by comparisons and contrasts between the worship, doctrines and life-styles of the three principal religions of the Near East.

Structure

Fortnightly seminars in addition to private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 essays equally weighted (60%), and an end-of-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 2 essays equally weighted (60%), and an end-of-course assessment (40%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

No previous knowledge of Hebrew is required. The schedule of progress is based on an introductory Hebrew Grammar, with step by step instruction which enables sufficient grammar to be covered by the end of the course to begin reading prose passages of the Bible in Hebrew.

Structure

Weekly tutorials, or audio-conferenced fortnightly tutorials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-hour examination (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Resit: 1 one-hour examination (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in 2009/10 as KL 100N and KL 150N.

Overview

The course covers the ancient Celtic religion and the adaptation in Scotland of the new faith brought by missionaries; the relations between the medieval church and Scottish political independence; the reformers and the influence of the Covenanters' ideas on Scottish life and thought; the disruptions and reunions of Presbyterianism in the period 1690-1929 with their present day legacy; the development of Episcopal and other Churches in the period 1690-1929, and a study of Christian and Non-Christian religious groups in Scotland since 1929.

Structure

Fortnightly seminars in addition to private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 essays equally weighted (60%) and 1 end-of-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 2 essays equally weighted (60%) and 1 end-of-course assessment (40%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 as KL100Q and KL 150Q.

Overview

The course gives an historical overview of the ways in which the church's worship practice has evolved since the First Century AD. It considers how tradition and doctrine have moulded worship, and will examine different aspects within contemporary worship.

Structure

6 fortnightly audio-conferenced seminar workshops with a Course Workbook.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 essays of 1,500-2,000 words each (60%), and an end-of-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 2 essays of 1,500-2,000 words each (60%), and an end-of-course assessment (40%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 as KL 151A.

Overview

This course introduces students to the role and contribution of some notable women in the Hebrew Bible. It will examine the relationship of certain key figures to the historical development of Israel, and will explore the relevance of the Hebraic tradition for us today.

Structure

6 fortnightly audio-conferenced tutorials, with a Course Workbook.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: 2 essays of 1,500 words each (60%) and 1 essay of 2,500 words (40%).

Resit: In-course assessment: 2 essays of 1,500 words each (60%) and 1 essay of 2,500 words (40%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in 2009/10 as KL101B and KL 151B.

Overview

The course explores the contemporary situations and thinking of Medieval, Humanist, Magisterial, Radical, Conservative, and Scottish Reformers.

Structure

Fortnightly seminars in addition to private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: 2 essays of 1,500 words each (60%) and end of course assignment (2,500 words) (40%).

Resit: In-course assessment: 2 essays of 1,500 words each (60%) and end of course assignment (2,500 words) (40%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in 2009/10 as KL101J and KL151J.

Overview

The course aims to introduce students to the art of caring within a spiritual context, and covers issues on bereavement and loss, issues around the family, disability concerns and mental health.

Structure

Fortnightly audio-conferenced tutorial in addition to private study with a Course Workbook.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: 2 essays of 2,000 words each (60%) and end of course assignment (2,500 words) (40%).

Resit: In-course assessment: 2 essays of 2,000 words each (60%) and end of course assginment (2,500 words) (40%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None.

Notes

This course is available in 2009/10 as KL 10A1.

Overview

Seminar Topics:
1. What is Practical Theology? Historical Foundations
2. Understanding the work of Practical Theology; Resources for Theology
3. Practical Theology Method; History and Experience as Theological Sources
4. Practical Theology and Praxis Transformation; Theological Reflection
5. Practical Theology and Contemporary Culture; Liberation Theology
6. Practical Theology and Christian Ministry; Pastoral Care, Christian Education, Evangelism and Mission.

Structure

1 x 1 1/2 hour audio-conferenced seminar per fortnight.

Assessment

1st attempt: 100% continuous assessment: 3 equally weighted essays of 2000 words each.
Resit: In-course assessment: 3 equally weighted essays of 2000 words each.

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Biblical Hebrew 1 or equivalent.

Overview

This course will aim to apply the command of the language obtained in Biblical Hebrew 1 and develop it further through experience in reading the Hebrew Bible and studying grammar, syntax, and problems in translation in context.

Structure

Weekly tutorials, or audio-conferenced fortnightly tutorials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-hour examination (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Resit: 1 one-hour examination (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Any Level 1 course on the Hebrew Bible.

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 as KL 200D.

Overview

The course will focus on the Book of Isaiah, examining the content, nature and variety of materials it contains, the historical contexts in which the material may have arisen, and the literary and theological significance of its canonical form. The course will include in-depth study of selected passages and sections of the book.

Structure

Six audio-conferenced seminar workshops with a Course Workbook.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays equally weighted (60%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays equally weighted (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course will be available in session 2009/10 as KL 200H.

Overview

A study in the accurate interpretation of I Corinthians with an appreciation of its relevance to modern church life. Methods of study of a New Testament epistle will be considered with particular emphasis on understanding problems in the church in Corinth set against their Graeco-Roman background, and Paul's responses to them set against his Jewish inheritance.

Structure

Fortnightly seminars in addition to private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays equally weighted (60%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays equally weighted (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

A level 1 Hebrew Bible course.

Notes

This course will be available in session 2009/10 as KL 250J.

Overview

The course examines the cultural heritage of the Psalms, their origin and development, the varieties of Psalms, modern literary criticism and theological issues about the Psalms. There is close study of selected Psalms.

Structure

Six fortnightly audio-conferenced seminar tutorials, with a Course Workbook.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays equally weighted (60%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays equally weighted (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

KL 101D / KL 151D Indian Religious Traditions or KL 1004 / KL 1504 Near Eastern Faiths

Overview

This course will focus on and explore the tradition of Theravada Buddhism from its formation to its place in the modern world. It will specifically cover historical foundation, scriptural and literary traditions, philosophy, regional transitions and variations, modern contexts and gender issues.

Structure

1½ hour audio-conferenced seminar per fortnight.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One 2,500 word essay (40%), 1 presentation (10%), 1 two-hour written examination (50%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

100 credit points from Christian Studies Programme or equivalent.

Notes

This course will be available in session 2009/10 as KL 3002.

Overview

The course aims to stimulate students to think constructively about the role of women in the Bible, the Christian tradition, and the life of the Church. It includes an exploration of feminism on theology and inclusive language in the Bible and Church.

Structure

Ten weekly audio-conferenced tutorials, with a Course Workbook and associated material.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays equally weighted (60%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays equally weighted (60%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

100 credit points in Christian Studies, of which 60 credit points must be at level 2 or above.

Overview

This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area in divinity or religious studies agreed upon with his or her supervisor and approved by the Head of Divinity, History and Philosophy.

Each student will be assigned a supervisor, who will make available regular consultation times.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Evidence of ability to study at this level.

Notes

This course is designed for students who have completed a number of courses in the Christian Studies Programme, and who have shown in their essay work the capacity for independent study.

Overview

The dissertation topic must be approved as suitable by the academic co-ordinator for the Christian Studies Programme. Each candidate will have a supervisor to offer guidance and support throughout the dissertation course. It is envisaged that the dissertation topic will often have as its starting point some aspect of the material introduced in a taught course, but approved topics will not be restricted to this. A systematic introduction to working on dissertations will be provided.

Structure

Seminars and individual contact as and when required.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Dissertation (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 as KL 4003.

Overview

This course aims to familiarise students with some issues and controversies central to the Hebrew Bible, and to Foster a relatively sophisticated understanding of the world of the Hebrew Bible. Themes explained include the concept of the Promised Land; and issues of social justice; theodicy and creation; monarchy and messiahship; revelation; monotheism and polytheism.

Structure

Twelve audio-conferenced tutorials of 90 minutes each.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Years 3 or 4.

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 as KL 4508.

Overview

A survey of eight leading theories of myth from the fields of anthropology, sociology, psychology, and religious studies. The focus will be on the differing answers the theories give to the questions of the origin, the function, and the subject matter of myth. Each theory will be applied to a familiar myth.

Structure

1 one-and-a-half hour audio-conferenced seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%); one essay of 3,000 words (50%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (100%).