PROGRAMME SUMMARY

Programme Name

Postgraduate Diploma in THEOLOGY AND ETHICS

Programme Description

The postgraduate diploma (PgDip) in theology and Ethics is coursework based and consists of 180 credit hours of learning at Level 8. For students intending to progress into a Masters degree, the PgDip will be a foundation year. Full-time or part-time study is available, and admission is usually granted at the beginning of every academic year. The PgDip is an advanced programme that builds on the student’s prior training in biblical, theological, historical, and ministerial studies with a more issue-based focus. The intent is to equip students in serving the needs of Pasifika communities in any capacity using ‘whole of life’ and justice-driven approaches appropriate to their contexts. The title of the of the award on the Testamur when a student graduate is “Postgraduate Diploma in Theology and Ethics.”

Minimum Entry

Requirement

▪ Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree (3 years full-time equivalent) not more than 10 years before applying for the PgDip programme, unless the applicant has taught in an academic institution since gaining the Bachelor degree. 

▪ Gained at least a ‘B’ average in the intended area of specialisation in the last two years of their Bachelor Divinity (BD) studies (or equivalent).

▪ Shall write an academic paper on an appropriate topic set by the relevant discipline of the College to test their theological knowledge as well as their competence in the intended field of specialisation with a minimum of 50% pass grade of this paper. This paper shall accompany the completed application forms.

▪ Must demonstrate an appropriate standard of English comprehension through an English

proficiency assessment approved by the College Faculty through the Academic Skills Discipline, and gain at least a 50% pass grade, or a pass grade of 5.5 in an IELTS (Academic) test. 

Graduate Outcomes

▪ Demonstrate a ‘whole of life’ knowledge that covers and integrates most of the main areas of the discipline and their link to other disciplines and worlds; 

▪ Demonstrate commitment to research issues of concern to Pacific churches and the region; 

▪ Demonstrate independent thinking to critically analyse data and interpret it appropriately for new Oceanic contributions to theological and ecumenical knowledge; 

▪ Demonstrate the ability to contextualise theology and faith expressions in their own cultural and communities-based contexts; 

▪ Demonstrate deep knowledge of the ‘whole of life’ and leadership for justice vision within the Pacific household of God framework.

Requirements for the

Award of Postgraduate

Diploma

Course credits: 30 credits per course at the postgraduate level.

The PgDip will be awarded to candidates who have successfully completed 180 credits of work made up of two core courses (60 credits) and three specialisation courses (90 credits) from a specialised Discipline (e.g., Biblical Studies, Theology & Ethics, History of Christianity, Practical Ministry, or Ecumenism), and one inter-discipline elective (30 credits). The core courses for the PgDip are school wide (SW) and university-wide (UW) and mandatory.

Mode of Delivery

Blended: Online + Face to Face

Duration

1-year Full Time or 3 years Part Time

Level

Equivalent to PQF/SPATS/FHEC level 8

School Name

School of Theology & Ecumenism

Credit Point

180

Education Pathway

This qualification can lead to a Masters degree qualification (Level 9) or its overseas equivalent.

Employment Pathway

Holders of this qualification will have the knowledge and skills to work in various roles in Christian churches or the wider society, particularly within the faith-based organisations and church affiliated sectors.

▪ Instructors in theological institutions around the region

▪ Leadership positions in ecumenical and faith-based organisations

▪ Leadership positions in communities

▪ Work in organisations such as NGOs with specific focus on leadership, justice, spirituality

▪ Consultants in areas of the intersection of theology, spirituality, and social justice issues

▪ First step towards ordination in some faith communities

CODE

PGDIP – OVERVIEW OF COURSE IN THEOLOGY AND ETHICS

CREDITS

SW400

Applied Research Skills (Core)

The first part of the course will concentrate on academic reading and writing of theological texts, and on critical thinking and is meant to create the foundation for postgraduate theological work on which individual courses in different disciplines can build. The second part of the course focuses on research skills and proposal writing.

30

UW401

Pasifika Hermeneutics: Why Context Matters (Core)

The course aims to develop a deep knowledge of students on the ‘art of relational interpretation’ that is Pasifika and home-grown. Hermeneutics is fundamental to the Pasifika decolonial agenda, especially the decolonisation of the mindset, and the development of Pasifika home-grown research frameworks. The course focuses on allowing the productive role of the student and his/her context to creatively reconstruct new and life-affirming meaning in the reception of texts (such as the Bible), art, dance, songs and poetry, culture, traditions, rituals, bodily language, etc, based on their particular life worlds and challenges. The first half will focus on exploring, discussing, and critically analysing the hermeneutical traditions of the West as well as contemporary approaches from other parts of the world. The second half focuses on developing Pasifika ‘whole of life’ communities-based hermeneutics, to assist with rethinking our understanding of God, faith, culture, development, education, research, and traditions. Thus, the course is transdisciplinary. The aim is to develop decolonial foundations to inform leadership for justice and to underpin the development of sustainable and resilient frameworks, models, and paradigms of life for the Pasifika churches, society, and academia.

30

TE400

Pasifika Theologies in Colonial Contexts (Specialised)

Theology is where participation in a religious faith seeks to express the content of this faith in the clearest and most coherent language available. But how has this faith been received and communicated in Colonial or Postcolonial contexts? Moreover, what is the connection between the expression of theology and the socio-economic-political contexts shaping them?’ These are the central questions dealt with in this course. It surveys various theologies from both Western and non-Western contexts, paying attention to the content of these theologies and how they resonate with our own understanding of theology. Is it coherent? Or is it imposed? The aim of the course is to enable students to engage dominant expressions of theology and critique these in terms of cultural superiority, coloniality and its exclusive treatment of people and the whole of life.

30

XX400

Choose one 400 course from another discipline (eg BS400, PM400, HC400, EC400)

30

TE401

Land and Eco Theology: (Specialised)

The land and sea are important motifs in biblical and systematic theology but it was not until in the late twentieth century that due attention was afforded to them. Beginning from the biblical and theological perspectives this course will explore these motifs within the particular worldviews and understandings of Pasifika contexts. More specifically, the course will explore and analyse the key theme of interconnectedness (land, sea and sky) and the ‘whole of life’ spiritualties that underpin the eco-relational consciousness of past and present Pasifika communities. The overarching aim is to encourage ecological justice, sustainable livelihoods and indigenous conservation approaches in response to climate change and sea level rise.

30

TE402

Pasifika Ethics: Justice Issues and Approaches

30

TOTAL

180