UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL THEOLOGY GENERAL INFORMATION: POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2011

2 Table of Contents CONTACT DETAILS:... 3 Word of welcome... 4 Degrees offered in the Department... 5 BTh Honours degree: BTh (Hon) Degree Code: List of modules to register for... 6 Short description of modules: BTh Honours... 6 Syllabus: BTh Honours Five Papers... 7 Admission requirements for the Honours BTh degree... 9 Completion of the degree and further studies MASTER S DEGREES Two Master of Theology programmes in Practical Theology Further information regarding the Master s degrees DOCTORAL DEGREES Admission: The Doctor of Theology Additional notes Two DTh programmes in Practical Theology Postgraduate Bursaries (research Master s and Doctoral students only)

3 CONTACT DETAILS: Secretary: Ms S Makhanyemakhaes@unisa.ac.za; Tel: (012) Fax: (012) Chair of Department Prof Jacques Theron therojpj@unisa.ac.za; Tel: (012) Fax: (012)

4 Word of welcome Thank you very much for your interest in postgraduate studies in the Department of Practical Theology. Details of advanced studies in the discipline of Practical Theology are given in this brochure. For the general rules for admission to postgraduate studies at Unisa, please consult and the Brochure. These brochures contains important information on the documents which must accompany your application, the number of papers that you must register for, re-registration, duration of study, and so forth. This brochure contains information on the degree offered by this department and on what is expected from you when you apply for registration for the Honours, Masters or Doctorate degrees. ***The information in this brochure does not disclaim any of the information as stated in the official Calendar. In terms of the vision of our Department - and also within the framework of the new definition of research output formulated by the Department of Higher Education and Training (National Government) - you are not only regarded as a student or a candidate as some might prefer, but as part of the community of scholars that our Department seeks to develop. Welcome and good luck with your studies. Prof Jacques PJ Theron Chair of the Department 4

5 DEGREES OFFERED IN THE DEPARTMENT BTh Honours degree: BTh (Hons) Degree Code: In this degree some of the themes touched upon in the undergraduate courses (BTh Degree), as well as some new topics, are explored in greater depth. There are five compulsory papers in the BTh Honours degree and all of them are year modules. This means that registration takes place during the November - January period of each year and that the examination will be written during the following October/November examination period. Most students complete the degree in two years. Only students who have the opportunity of studying fulltime and thus have no additional job related commitments will be allowed to enrol for all five modules in the first year of registration. The degree is officially offered as a 120 credit carrying degree. This means that you will need to spend at least 1200 hours of studying the material in order be successful in your studies. New Curriculum Please note that the curriculum changes as from The old curriculum is not discussed in this brochure. Modules in the old curriculum are offered for the last time in Students who have previously been registered for this degree and or have some courses to their credit should consult the transitional arrangements in the official calendar. They should try to change to the new curriculum as soon possible. Please also consult the Chair of the Department should you have any further questions in this regard. 5

6 List of modules to register for The codes and the names of the modules are listed first. Please also take note of the number of credits that are linked to each of the modules. A short description of the syllabus of each of the modules follows below. Short description of modules: BTh Honours Module code HPPTH81 PTH4802 PTH4803 PTH4804 Description RESEARCH IN PRACTICAL THEOLOGY (12 credits) This is a new module. Students must enrol for this module in the first year of registration for the BTh Honours degree PREACHING AND WORSHIP IN AN AFRICAN CONTEXT (24 credits) This module offers the same material as the PTH421B module in the old curriculum RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRY (24 credits) This is a new module. It combines the material previously offered in the old PTH422C and PTH424E modules ADVANCED PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELLING (24 credits) This module offers the same material as the PTH423D module in the old curriculum 6

7 HRPTH85 PRACTICAL THEOLOGY RESEARCH REPORT (36 credits) This is a new module to be registered for in the last year of registration. Syllabus: BTh Honours Five Papers HPPTH81 Research in practical theology Syllabus: This module introduces students to the Honours BTh programme in practical theology as a whole. It is intended for students with a Bachelors degree in theology who wish to become researchers in practical theology. In this module attention is given to the origins, the theoretical foundations and practical implications of a variety of practical theological approaches in national and international contexts. Students credited with this module are able to reflect critically on various approaches to practical theology, to compare and evaluate the main trends in practical theology, and to justify an own practical theological approach in a research context. We believe that this is an important module, trying to lay foundations for your further development and research in our discipline. Please note that it is only a 12 credit module and that it should be enrolled for in the first year of registration for the degree. PTH4802 Preaching and worship in an African context Syllabus: In this module attention is given to theories of preaching, which includes interpretation and communication of the gospel in an African context. We also give attention to the theory and principles of worship, renewal of worship, sacraments, music and architecture. Students who have completed the module will be able to interpret the Biblical message in a variety of social and cultural settings and to develop culturally sensitive worship practices. 7

8 This is a 24 credit module and is similar to module PTH421B in the old curriculum. PTH4803 Religious education and Christian ministry Syllabus: This module will be useful to students who wish to study recent developments in religious education and Christian ministry. Students will be introduced to theories, models and different approaches to religious education and specialised work on topics such as faith formation, spirituality, religious education in a pluralistic society, and religious education and learning in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. This module will also help students to understand the responsibility of church leaders, the role of lay ministries, service to the needy, and the responsibility of Christians in society. Students who have completed the module can identify and use contemporary approaches to religious education and Christian ministry. This is new module in the curriculum. It combines the material offered in the old PTH423C and PTH424E modules. It comprises these two topics and in total carries 24 credits. PTH4804 Advanced pastoral care and counselling Syllabus: This module comprises two options of which students must choose one. Option One: an evaluation of the theories of a spectrum of writers in the field of pastoral care and counselling (such as Adams, Campbell, Capps, Clinebell, Firet, Gerkin, Heitink, Hiltner, Patton, Rebel, Thurneysen). The student will furthermore be introduced to the new developments in the field of family and marriage counselling. Students who have completed this module will be able to compare and evaluate different theories in the fields of pastoral care and counselling as well as in family and marriage counselling. Option Two: an evaluation of theories of a spectrum of writers in the field of pastoral psychology (for example Faber, Loewenthal, Watts) and psychology of religion (for example 8

9 Wulff, Fontana, Oates en Scott Peck). Those who complete this module will be enabled to compare and analyse theories in pastoral psychology and psychology of religion. The application of psychology in the ministry and in the couselling practice is highlighted. The implications of the scientific study of religion and psychology are explored. This also is a 24 credit module. It is identical to module PTH423D in the old curriculum. HRPTH85 Research project in practical theology Syllabus: This module is for students in the final phase of their Hons BTh programme in practical theology. Students will be introduced to empirical research methods and will do advanced reading in one of the practical theological areas of their choice (e.g. worship, preaching, education, ministry, counselling) under supervision of a specialist in that area. Students will have to put into practice the research skills they obtain by carrying out a small-scale research project. Qualifying students will have completed the research project and produced an acceptable research essay on it. Please note that this module carries 36 credits and that you should register for this module in the last year of registration. The main point is that you will have to specialise in one of the fields listed in the previous modules by conducting a small-scale research project. Admission requirements for the Honours BTh degree Before registration, please consider the admission requirements referred to below. They are: An appropriate Bachelor s Degree with an average of 60% or more. In instances where a student does not have an average of 60% or more a submission may be made to the College of Human Science to allow such a student admission. 9

10 Students must provide a written motivation of not more than three pages requesting admission to the College. The College will determine the requirements for the motivation. However, in considering the application the College must take into account o the relevant experience, work or otherwise of the student o the language capabilities of the student o alternative options for access into the programme o any other factor deemed necessary by the College. Completion of the degree and further studies A student must obtain at least 50% in each module of the programme to complete the BTh Honours degree. To be admitted to a research MTh degree in Practical Theology at Unisa, a student has to obtain an average of at least 60% in the BTh Honours degree, except with the written approval of the Chair of the Department. (This stipulation is presently under discussion and might be changed in the near future.) MASTER S DEGREES The Master of Theology (MTh) degree is designed for graduates who hold: An appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree, or an appropriate Postgraduate Diploma, or a 480 credit Bachelor s Degree with a minimum of 96 credits at level 8 (honours level). A student who is admitted on the strength of a Postgraduate Diploma or a 480 credit Bachelor s Degree with a minimum of 96 credits at level 8 (honours level) and who has not completed a module in research methodology may be required to complete such a module at NQF level 8 for Non Degree Purposes before he/she will be allowed to 10

11 register for the module in research methodology of which the outcome is the research proposal. International students must meet the English language requirement as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for Studies for Master s and Doctoral Degrees. Two Master of Theology programmes in Practical Theology 1. MTh Practical Theology (Degree Code: 98485) The curriculum comprises a research proposal module (MPCHS92) and a dissertation (DFPTH95) on an approved topic within the broad field of practical theology. 2. MTh Practical Theology (with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy) (Degree Code: 98483) The curriculum comprises a research proposal module (MPCHS92) and a dissertation (DFPAS95) on an approved topic but as indicated it relates to a specific field of specialisation within the discipline of practical theology Further information regarding the Master s degrees Please note that: Both the above-mentioned degrees are researched degrees. (The department is considering the reintroduction of a Masters degree which will have 50% taught and 50% dissertation components but this will probably only be possible from Please consult the secretary on this issue at a later stage.) It will be compulsory for every student to enrol first for the Research Proposal Module (Code: MPCHS92) before being allowed to start with the dissertation. This stipulation applies for both of the above-mentioned MTh degrees. Only after the successful completion of the Research Proposal 11

12 Module will a student be allowed into the second phase of the respective MTh programmes, namely the writing of the dissertation. The topic is arranged with the Department and can cover anything within the wide scope of Practical Theology. A dissertation of good quality and length ( pages) has to be submitted to meet the requirements. DOCTORAL DEGREES Admission: The Doctor of Theology This degree, which represents the highest academic achievement, requires the writing of a doctoral thesis of between pages. A thesis must be based on intensive research and is expected to make an original contribution to the discipline of Practical Theology. The doctorate does not include any course work, except when a promoter judges that a student does not have sufficient background in a particular area, in which case a reading programme may be prescribed to help the student fill in the gap. In some cases students may be required to prepare for an oral examination before they are allowed into the doctoral programme Students usually take between two and five years to complete a doctoral thesis. The Doctor of Theology (DTh) programme provides students with academically rigorous research training; the research focus is on the variety of themes. It requires a candidate to undertake research at the most advance academic levels culminating in the production and acceptance of a thesis. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that the candidate is required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of our discipline and field of study. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication. The degree may be earned through pure discipline-based or 12

13 multidisciplinary research or applied research. The degree usually requires an appropriate Master s Degree. International students must meet the English language requirements as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for Studies for Master s and Doctoral Degrees. Additional notes The thesis is examined by a panel of at least three independent examiners. Course work is not included as preparation or value addition to the research. Students are not required to defend the thesis in person at the University. The final examination is done by the examiners. The final research topic and the final title are normally negotiated in co-operation with the promoter. Students are free to suggest research topics in the wide variety of practical theological fields of study. In the case of overseas students, depending on the research topic, a co-promoter residing in the same country is usually appointed in order to assist the student in the research project. Each student must re-register every year at the beginning of the year for the duration of the study. During the course of the study programme, studies may be deferred for one year in specific cases after official permission has been granted. Two DTh programmes in Practical Theology There are two doctoral degrees to choose from 1. DTh Practical Theology (Degree Code: 98486) The curriculum comprises a research proposal module (DPCHS02) and a thesis (TFPTH05) on an approved topic within the broad discipline of practical theology. 13

14 2. DTh Practical Theology (with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy) (Degree Code: 98484). The curriculum comprises a research proposal module (DPCHS02) and a thesis (TFPAS05) on an approved topic within the field of pastoral therapy. Please note that: Both the above-mentioned degrees are researched degrees. It will be compulsory for every student to enrol first for the Research Proposal Module (Code: DPCHS02) before being allowed to start with the thesis. This stipulation applies to both of the above-mentioned DTh degrees. Only after the successful completion of the Research Proposal Module will a student be allowed into the second phase namely the writing of the thesis. The topic is arranged with the Department and can cover anything within the wide scope of Practical Theology. A dissertation of good quality and length has to be submitted to meet the requirements. Postgraduate Bursaries (research Master s and Doctoral students only) Students are advised to contact the Directorate Student Funding should they wish to apply for funding [dsf@unisa.ac.za or Tel. (012) ]. 14