CENTRE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING - CHRISTIAN STUDIES

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

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

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

Overview

The course will consider the range of criticisms advanced against the central elements of Christian belief from the Enlightenment to the present day. Attention will be devoted to criticism of the traditional arguments for the existence of God, historical scepticism, miracles, the problem of evil, the Marxist and Freudian challenges, and the secularisation thesis. Tutorials will study recent attempts to re-articulate belief in light of these challenges faced.

Structure

Audio-conferenced fortnightly tutorials in addition to private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: 3 essays of 2000 words each (33.3% each).

Resit: In-course assessment: 3 essays of 2000 words each (33.3% each).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

Overview

The course will analyse why people sing; probe why Scotland has not produced a great body of hymns; explore how hymns have slotted into neat categories; identify what makes some hymns resonate; by reviewing the post 60’s hymnody, develop a critique to assess the worthiness of hymns to speak for and to us.

Structure

This course will be offered as a 3-day intensive Easter School in April 2006.

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

10

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

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

10

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

Overview

The course will examine the background, authorship, literary and theological importance of St Mark’s Gospel.

Structure

Tutorials will be via the web, supplemented by private study.

Assessment

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

Resit: In-course assessment (100%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in 2006/07 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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in session 2006/07 as KL 150P.

Overview

Selections will be studied from the two main types of material in the Book of Exodus - narrative and law - in order to illustrate a variety of approaches to its understanding. Questions to be tackled include: what kind of literature is this? When was it written? Why was it written? What kind of sources were used? What is its relation to historical events? What does it tell us about the worshipping community of Judaism ancient and modern? What importance does it have to Christianity? Has it been legitimately used in modern Liberation Theology?

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in session 2006/07.

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

10

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

This is a beginners' course and it is not available for native Greek speakers.

Notes

This course is available in 2006/07.

Overview

This course offers students the chance to acquire an introduction to first century Greek, the original language of the New Testament. It is aimed at complete beginners and does not assume any prior knowledge or linguistic ability. The course covers basic Greek grammar and sentence structure, and by the end students will be able to read simplified texts from the New Testament itself.

Structure

Weekly audio-conferenced tutorials and weekly written exercises.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-hour written examination paper (60%); language exercises, internal examination (40%).

Resit: 1 one-hour written exmination paper (60%); language exercises, internal examination (40%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07.

Overview

The course will consider the study of the life and teaching of Jesus within his first century historical context. It will attempt to shed light on the many questions that arise from the gospels' presentation of Jesus' teaching and activity. It will ask how much we can really know of the course of Jesus' life; what he meant by "the kingdom of God"; whether he regarded himself as the "Messiah"; and why he ran into such opposition. Material from outside the New Testament will be used to construct a fuller picture of the broad historical and cultural context of Jesus' ministry.

Structure

Tutorials will be replaced by a Course Workbook; there will be 6 audio-conferences of 1.5 hours each. Also available on the web.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: 3 essays of 2,000 words each (33.3% each).

Resit: In-course assessment: 3 essays of 2,000 words each (33.3% each).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms E Cameron

Pre-requisites

None.

Overview

Students will be introduced to practical elements of pastoral care. The course will focus on pastoral care as a practice of caring, healing and welcome (hospitality). Students will be taught skills that will enable them to analyze and understand pastoral encounters (theological reflection) and provide forms of care which ca be applied in a variety of contexts. Areas covered will include: bereavement and loss; caring for families; disability; crisis intervention and peacemaking.

Structure

Six audio-conferenced tutorials of 90 minutes each.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (40%); end-of-course assessment (60%).

Resit: End-of-course assessment (100%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course will be available in 2006/07 as KL 150E.

Overview

This course introduces students to the person of Jesus; the Old and New Testaments’ witness to Him; consequent beliefs and life-styles; contemporary Christianity.

Weekly tutorials, or audio-conferenced fortnightly tutorials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%): 2 essays of 1,500 words each.

Resit: 2 essays equally weighted (100%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07.

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07.

Overview

The course will consider each of the main titles used in the New Testament to designate the nature and identity of Jesus: Messiah, Son of David, Son of God, Son of Man, Logos, and Word.

Structure

Fortnightly audio-conferenced tutorials with a Course Workbook.

Assessment

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

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

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None, but it will be an advantage to have taken KL 10/1504.

Notes

This course will be available in session 2006/07 as KL 101D.

Overview

This course is an introduction to the study of Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism followed by comparisons and contrasts between the worships, doctrines and life-styles of these faiths and Christianity.

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 (40%).

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

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None.

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

Overview

The course includes: a survey of the history, geography and culture of ancient Israel; a study of the united monarchy and of the literature of the exilic and post-exilic periods.

Structure

Tutorials will be replaced by a Course Workbook; there will be 6 audio-conferences of 1.5 hours each.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: 3 essays of 2,000 words each (33.3% each).

Resit: In-course assessment: 3 essays of 2,000 words each (33.3% each).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course will be available in session 2006/07 as KL 1003 and KL 1503.

Overview

The course will examine the background, authorship, and literary and theological importance of St Matthew’s Gospel.

Structure

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

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%): 2 essays equally weighted.

Resit: In-course assessment (100%): 2 essays equally weighted.

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Ms E Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in session 2007/08.

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

10

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

Biblical Hebrew 1 or equivalent.

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

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

10

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

KL 100S or equivalent.

Notes

This course will be available in 2006/07.

Overview

This course, which builds on the foundations laid in DR 1023, introduces further study of the grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. The intention is to improve the students' confidence in handling the New Testament in its original language as well as develop greater fluency in translating portions of the New Testament.

Structure

Weekly audio-conferenced tutorials and weekly written exercises.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-hour written examination paper (60%); language exercises, internal examination (40%).

Resit: 1 one-hour written examination paper (60%); language exercises, internal examination (40%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

30 credit points at level one from the Christian Studies programme or equivalent.

Notes

This course is available in session 2006/07 as KL 2503.

Overview

This course will focus on John’s Gospel investigating the origins of the community which produced the Gospel, uncovering the distinctive Christology and ideas of salvation within it, and looking at the background to some of the best known images in the New Testament.

Structure

Six fortnightly audio-conferenced tutorials.

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

Either KL 10/1504, or KL 10/150C.

Notes

This course will be available in session 2006/07 as KL 250B.

Overview

This course will analyse methods used in studying religion, especially those derived from phenomenology, sociology, psychology and anthropology. The comparative approach is central to the course. It will therefore introduce major issues in the world’s major religions including – Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism, as well as the traditional religions of Africa and the New World.

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

A Gospel Course at level 1.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

Overview

The course is divided into units, covering Luke’s purpose in writing the Gospel, and tracing the main human themes in the plan of God, the nature of salvation, and the identity of Jesus.

Structure

Fortnightly audio-conferenced tutorials in addition to private study 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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

Any Level 1 course on the Hebrew Bible.

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

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

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

Overview

The course aims to investigate the beginnings of an institution, which has played a vital part in shaping European civilisation.

Structure

Fortnightly audio-conferenced seminar workshops with a Course Workbook.

Assessment

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

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

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

Any Level 1 course on the Hebrew Bible.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

Overview

The course will consider Hebrew prophecy within its Israelite and Ancient Near East contexts and will survey the books of individual prophets with special studies of selected prophetic texts.

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course will be available in session 2006/07 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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

A level 1 Hebrew Bible course.

Notes

This course will be available in session 2006/07 as KL 200J.

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

KL 150L or equivalent.

Notes

This course will be available in 2006/07 as KL 200K.

Overview

This course aims to build on the knowledge and experience of Hebrew grammar and translation to give confidence in reading a variety of Biblical texts in the original language. The course introduces students to the translation of Genesis 1-3 and of extracts from Wisdom and the liturgical Psalms.

Structure

Weekly audio-conferenced tutorials.

Assessment

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

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

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

KL 200K or equivalent

Notes

This course will be available in 2006/07 as KL 250L.

Overview

This course builds upon KL200K. It introduces students to the translation of a whole narrative book, Jonah 1-3, and of some prophetic literature, Amos 3-7.

The course will enable students to explore different writing genres, textual issues, and the theology of a selection of Hebrew Bible texts.

Structure

Weekly audio-conferenced tutorials.

Assessment

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

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

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

At least one course at level 1.

Notes

This course is available in session 2007/08.

Overview

Consideration of the human search for meaning, value and purpose in life; non-religious forms of the search; the social context of religious questions; characteristic religious questions; single questions and plural answers; child and adolescent questions of meaning; theories of the development of faith; structures for understanding religious questions; approaches to understanding the self and other people.

Structure

Fortnightly 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

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

It is desirable that students taking this course should have a minimum of 60 credit points within the Programme. Where this is not the situation, please speak to the Programme Coordinator.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07.

Overview

This course will give students an appreciation of the complexities of Ecumenism both in Scotland and in the wider world; a deeper understanding of their own traditions by examining the historical and other reasons which keep Christians apart; and a development of their critical and analytical skills.

Structure

Six fortnightly audio-conferenced tutorials.

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

KL 10 / 1504 Near Eastern Faiths or KL 10 / 150C Indian Religious Traditions.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07.

Overview

This course will examine what constitutes the traditional teaching of Islam, and will examine different understandings of Islamic cultures from different parts of the world. It will look closely at the issue of Islamophobia.

Structure

Six fortnightly audio-conferenced tutorials.

Assessment

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

Resit: Two essays (60%) and 1 two-hour written examination (40%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms E Cameron

Pre-requisites

KL 10/150R or equivalent.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

Overview

Students will apply skills adopted in KL 10/150R to pre-determined case studies within the student's own ministry setting. Tutorial sessions will include debriefing case-study scenarios, discussing and assimilating family and congregational systems theory in light of the pastoral care movement, and coming to understand the distinctiveness of pastoral care vis-à-vis clinical counselling, as well as discovering when and how to refer a situation to the clinical care profession.

Structure

Six audio-conferenced tutorials of 90 minutes each.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 essays (50%) and a course project (50%). The latter will take the form of either field work with a particular congregation or community, as a piece of empirical research, or be a reflection on the literature alone.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

100 credit points including KL 10/1509 Introduction to Pastoral Care or equivalent.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

Overview

By exploring the relationship between “health”, “healing” and “spirituality”, this course will challenge our traditional understanding of these areas. It will examine the reason for, and the contemporary interest and growth in, spirituality.

Structure

Ten audio-conferenced seminar workshops with a Course Workbook.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays of 2500-3000 words (60%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (40%) and 2 essays of 2500-3000 words (60%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

100 credit points from Christian Studies Programme or equivalent.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

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

Ms Elaine Cameron

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

In-course assessment (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

180 credit points.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

Overview

The course will examine perceptions of the family within the Christian tradition and their relationship to wider cultural concerns in different historical and contemporary settings. It will seek to understand the specific challenges to family life in Britain today; there will be theological reflection on the church's role in supporting children and adults in the church and the wider community.

Structure

Ten weekly audio-conferenced tutorials, one residential weekend.

Assessment

In-course assessment: coursework (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

KL 20/250C, St Luke's Gospel or KL 20/2503, St John's Gospel.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

Overview

This course will examine Paul's letter to the churches in Galatia, with particular emphasis on understanding their problems set against their historical, cultural and religious background. It will explore Paul's responses in light of his own Jewish background, and will consider the relevance of the epistle for the church in the 21st Century.

Structure

Twelve weekly audio-conferenced tutorials.

Assessment

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

Resit: Two essays (60%) and 1 two-hour written examination (40%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Year 3 or 4.

Overview

This course will provide students with the opportunity to read accounts of the lives of spiritually committed people. It will consider a wide range of spiritual autobiographies, journals and memoirs with the intention of developing an understanding of how social context and language mould experience. In addition the course will look at the ways in which God is perceived to intervene in people's lives and the responses that are made by those who perceive God as acting in their life. The course will be loosely chronological in the ordering of material but the emphasis will be on reading from a broad range of Christian material.

Structure

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

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (40%) and two equally weighted 3,000 word essays (60%).

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

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

100 credit points from Christian Studies programme or equivalent.

Overview

A survey of leading theories of religion from the fields of anthropology, sociology, psychology, and religious studies. The main issues to be considered will be: what aspects of religion is each theory trying to explain; what aspects does the theory succeed in explaining; how does the theory reflect the discipline from which it comes?

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 written examination (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

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%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

Available to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

This course is only open to students who have been admitted to the BTh degree by Distance.
This course will not be available in session 2006/07.

Overview

This course is designed to provide advanced study of major themes and figures in Scottish theology from 1560 to the present day. Particular attention will be given to the theology of the Scots Confession and the Westminster Confession and to their subsequent interpretation in Scotland. The latter half of the course will focus on major Scottish theologians of the 20th century.

Structure

Twelve audio-conference tutorials of 90 minutes each.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (50%) and in-course assessment (50%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

This course is not available in session 2006/07.

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%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms Elaine Cameron

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

This course is available in session 2007/08.

Overview

This course examines the radical changes, as well as the continuities, in Scottish religious life and thought between c1470 and the Covenanting revolution. Students will be introduced to a range of primary sources relating to the following topics: religious life and thought on the eve of the Reformation, Christian humanism, martyrdom, the privy kirks, poetry and drama in the service of reform, Catholic reformers and controversialists, the reformed confessions of faith, the establishment of a reformed ministry, fasting and communion seasons, poor relief and education, discipline and repentance, reformed piety, Episcopacy and Presbyterianism, theologies of resistance and obedience, the National Convenant and the Covenanting revolution.

Structure

Weekly audio-conferenced tutorials of 1 and 1/2 hours each.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour examination (50%) and in-course assessment (50%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Years 3 or 4.

Overview

This course will offer students the opportunity to read widely in the late twentieth century literature which grapples with the conceptualisation of a Christian God in a secular world. The attempts of various writers to conceptualise the presence or absence of God will be discussed using insights from literary critics, philosophers and theologians.

Structure

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

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (40%) and two equally weighted 3,000 word essays (60%).

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

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Years 3 or 4.

Overview

This course aims to introduce students to the concepts of civil & political religion. It will explore the idea that religion and politics are similar forms of power and attempts to understand the place of human rights and human security within religious and political framework. It will look at modern iconographies of religion & politics particularly as they form the basis for community organisation. In addition the 'End of History', 'Clash of Civilisations' and the secularisation hypotheses will be criticised and compared.

Structure

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

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (40%) and two equally weighted 3,000 word essays (60%).

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

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Clayton

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Years 3 or 4.

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%).