Module Descriptions
Bachelor of Theology Community Leadership
For detailed information about each module, refer to the Module Descriptions section below.
Core Curriculum
The Bachelor of Theology in Community Leadership is designed for a minimum duration of 3 years, involving a total of 360 credits. The programme is delivered through a combination of in-person contact sessions and distance learning.
If the required number is not reached by the end of the registration period, the programme will only receive new students in the next registration period. New students already registered for the programme will be advised on the options available to them, and paid fees will be refunded where applicable. Students who have already completed one or more semesters will not be affected.
Study Year 1 of 3 (NQF 5)
This module is designed to enhance students' academic writing and research skills while fostering critical thinking and analytical abilities.
The first half of this module is designed to introduce the student to the nature, purpose and interpretative process related to the Scriptures. Attention is given to the historical backdrop of the Old and New Testaments, and to the development of the biblical canon (Jewish, Protestant and Catholic). Tracing the narrative trajectory of the Bible, this module is designed to equip students with a basic skill set necessary for the artful and faithful interpretation of the biblical text both within the church and public space.
In the second half of this module, students are introduced to the scope of the New Testament, as the testimony of the early Church, concerning the crucified and resurrected Jesus. The module follows the canonical order of the New Testament. Attention is given to historical background, interpretive issues related to literary genre, and to the theology and narrative integrity of the New Testament.
Laying a foundation for a theology of mission by tracing the biblical (creation to Israel, Israel to Christ, and Christ to the eschaton) and theological (key movements and paradigms) trajectory of mission, this module seeks to develop an understanding of the nature and task of world evangelisation and mission. This foundation informs a more detailed engagement with Urban Mission, by introducing the theory and practice (locally and globally) of urban mission. And with special attention given to urban mission in cross-cultural contexts, students are also introduced to some important tools from the social sciences.
The module describes the challenges in urban contexts amid urbanisation and shows how these challenges affect, especially, the youth, leading to an increase in homelessness and unemployment. The module enables students to see how leaders, faith-based organisations, and churches respond proactively and reactively to these realities. Students are enabled to engage in activities that allow them to see, describe, and analyse the contextual realities as a critical function of faith leadership.
This module offers a comprehensive understanding of leadership from various theoretical perspectives, aiming to empower individuals for effective leadership in various contexts, particularly within South African and African settings. It delves into transformative leadership theory and practice, fostering personal and character growth. Additionally, the module introduces students to conflict resolution theory and practice, imparting essential communication skills to enrich inter-group and interpersonal relationships. Students gain insights into their conflict attitudes, self-reflect on approaches, and explore diverse conflict types through case studies. The module underscores the interconnectedness of communication, behaviour, and conflict, with a focal point on reconciliation strategies, enriching the learning experience.
This module is designed to introduce students to an understanding of being human in an integrated manner, fostering human flourishing. The module examines contemporary theological discussions on the meaning of human flourishing and its implications for both Christian faith and practice. The integration of various aspects of human life, including faith, work, and well-being, is explored in the pursuit of leading meaningful lives.
In this module focus is given to tracing the scope of the Old Testament, as a shared testimony, concerning its central character, Yahweh. The module follows the ordering of the Hebrew Bible. The first part of the module gives particular attention to the Torah and Early Prophets. The second half of the module traces out the meaning and theological significance of the remaining books of the Old Testament, giving particular attention to Israelās counter-testimony as recounted in the Latter Prophets and Writings. Attention is given throughout to historical background, interpretive issues related to literary genre, and to the theological frame and narrative integrity of the Old Testament.
Christian theology is concerned with the story of God in relation to the world. With God as the subject of theology, students are introduced to the various ways in which the church has sought to speak meaningfully about the God who reveals himself in history and through the biblical witness. The module thus focuses on the historical development of āspeech about Godā and proposes that such speech be rooted within an eschatological framework. The implications of this doctrine are considered in the light of South African contextual realities.
Study Year 2 of 3 (NQF 6)
This module is designed to explore how people make meaning out of life's experiences. Consideration is also given to the application of this theory to the general areas of developmental psychology, the theology of Christian formation and maturity. Additionally, students explore meaningful ways in which to bring together the theory and practice of Christian spiritual formation. This module also includes a compulsory tutorial for spiritual formation.
Part 1: Theoretical Hermeneutics. In this part, the branch of knowledge known as hermeneutics is explored in greater detail. Concerned with the art and science of establishing meaning through interpretation, this part provides the necessary orientation for making sense of Scripture. This includes cultivating, in the student, an awareness of the otherness of Scripture, both in its form and in its content; surveying the richness of the many ways in which one might approach the Scriptures and thereby appropriate its meaning; and, offering some guidelines for sensitive engagement with the Scriptures towards establishing meaning. A significant amount of time is dedicated to examining biblical texts within their socio-rhetorical setting.
Part 2: Applied Hermeneutics: Reading from the Margins. Here, students are introduced to the importance and value of reading the Bible with others (i.e., the marginalised, whether women, children, the poor, the illiterate). The module enables students to recognise the value of being a trained reader and the responsibility to use such training in transformative, public, connected, dialogic, and integrated ways. The module combines both theoretical and practical outcomes. The theoretical result of the module is achieved by defining who the others are and by laying the conceptual framework for what it means to read with others and how to do so practically. The practical outcome is achieved by assigning students to an actual reading site, where they will participate by applying the theoretical framework.
The module provides an overview of various descriptions of social cohesion in specific contexts and ways of evaluating social cohesion. It further describes how mediation and peace-building processes, as well as leaders, contribute to social cohesion. Particular attention is given to conflict mediation and peace processes in South Africa, as well as practical leadership skills to engage in these processes.
This module outlines various theological descriptions of community and the role of the Holy Spirit in constituting communion. Case studies of how communities respond to social and ethical issues are discussed to broaden an understanding of the intersection of social ethics and the various theological responses. The module explains how the broader ecumenical church responds to social ethics.
Theology: Human Identity and Christology
Building on our understanding of Godās story and its trajectory in human history, this module looks at the question of human identity. It works from the premise that the meaning of life, of what it means to be human, to be created, comes into sharper focus when viewed biblically and theologically. Moving from the various biblical, theological, and historical responses to the question of human identity, the module looks to the doctrine of Christ for its ultimate answer, unpacking the story of Godās restoration in and through Jesus Christ. The implications of this doctrine are considered in the light of South African contextual realities.
Students are equipped with the necessary theory and skills for adequate sermon preparation and delivery. Attention is given to increasing the studentās ability to express ideas clearly and competently, in both written and oral forms of communication, for diverse circumstances and audiences. Students are exposed to a variety of preaching models and biblical passages to increase their awareness of the importance of these homiletical methods in the preaching process. The roles of the pastor and the congregation are explored in the interplay between the Word of God and the preached word within a liturgical environment.
In this module, students explore leadership theory, its application to their personal vision and mission statements, and methods and theories for leading to empowering others. Here, students explore the practice of leadership in the context of the church, faith-based organisations, and the public sector. Attention is given to issues such as the process of effectively utilising and developing human resources, teamwork, and strategic planning.
This module provides students with an introduction to the discipline of theology, focusing on the contact points between the Christian faith and public life. Students learn about the discipline's interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary nature, exploring how theological engagements require sound discourse and rigorous practical engagement within the range of contemporary societal well-being and issues for responsible stewardship. Particular attention is given to the role of the Holy Spirit and the notion of resilience.
Study Year 3 of 3 (NQF 7)
This module applies the approaches and skills learnt in pastoral care theory to specific crises, such as illness, dying, bereavement, mental illness, and family breakdown. Institutional ministries that deal with these issues are visited, providing students with practical experience in one such institution.
In the context of globalisation, this module traces some of the key theological trends and figures in the twentieth and twenty-first century. The module critically assesses the trends and figures by carefully considering how politics, economics, gender, ethnicity etc., inform and shape contemporary theological reflection. In doing so the module is designed to challenge students to continue in critical theological reflection by returning to the beginning, to the biblical revelation of God, in response to the new challenges confronting the church.