English for Theology (AL1003W)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

An introduction to the use of English as the medium for studying theology, with special emphasis on critical reading and analysis and the preparation of formal written papers.

Unit code: AL1003W

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Languages

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Understand and use the specialised terminology of biblical and theological study (in both academic and colloquial style, and recognizing figurative language and allusions to the Bible);
2.

Apply the techniques and styles of written composition for academic purposes;
3.

Make use of appropriate reference materials and construct bibliographies in accordance with academic practice;
4.

Undertake critical reading of scholarly argumentation;
5.

Incorporate critical methods into their essay-writing at first year level, correctly documenting arguments from the Bible and primary historical sources, and using correct conventions in quotation and cross-referencing;
6.

Make oral presentations in appropriate language and style
7.

Pronounce key terminology correctly
8.

Explain the administrative language used in academic regulations and forms.

Unit sequence

Non-English Speaking Background students who have not undertaken tertiary studies in English. A written and oral test will be given in the first week of class to assess the student’s present capabilities in English.

Pedagogy

Discussion, listening exercises, writing exercises, glossary development

Indicative Bibliography

  • = set texts recommended for purchase
  • Bass, Dorothy C. (ed) Practicing our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People. San Francisco: Josey-Bass Publishers, 1998
  • Brueggemann, W. *Reverberations of Faith * Westminster: John Knox Press, 2002
  • Dicker, Gordon S. Faith with understanding. Melbourne: JBCE, 1989
  • Dodd, Debbie. Dictionary of Theological Terms in Simplified English. Wheaton, IL: EMIS, 2003*
  • Dodson, Patrick. ‘The land our mother, the church our mother’. In Discovering an Australian theology, ed. Peter Malone. Homebush, NSW:St Paul,1988, 83-88
  • Fee, Gordon. New Testament Exgesis (3rd ed.). Westminster: John Knox Press, 2002
  • Kelly, Gabrielle. English for theology: Developing proficiency in academic English for theological studies. Adelaide: ATF Press, 2004
  • Law, Eric H.F. The Word at the Crossings: Living the Good News in a Multicontextual Community. St Louis, MO: Chalice, 2004
  • Murphy, Raymond. English Grammar in Use (Fourth Edition). Cambridge: CUP, 2015*
  • Rogerson, John (ed.). Beginning Old Testament study. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982
  • Switzer, David K. Pastoral Care Emergencies: Ministering to People in Crisis. New York: Integration Books, 1989
  • Via, Dan Otto (ed.). Guides to biblical scholarship. (A series of books on critical methods). Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 2002
  • Wright, Frank. Pastoral care for lay people. London: SCM, 1982

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Oral Examination

One 10 minute oral examination

 0 40.0
Essay

Two 1,000 word essays

 0 40.0
Essay

Vocabulary Test (100 words)

 0 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 20 Oct, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-20 11:23:57 +1100