Continuing Professional Development - Catholic Theology
PC
Online
V8K118
Course details
This course contains one module, ‘Catholic Theology: A Preliminary Tour’, the core module for the MA in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning. This is a fully online module to be completed part-time over 12 months.
Catholic Theology: A Preliminary Tour explores the nature of theology in the Catholic tradition, providing a first step into, and a grounding for, postgraduate theological study. It is designed to enable people with first degrees in a range of disciplines to test their interest in theology, while also extending and deepening the engagement with key elements in the Catholic tradition for those who may have studied theology before.
The module begins by exploring a variety of answers to the question “What is theology?”, including the student’s own. It then follows a broadly historical path, touching on the doctrine of the Trinity, key issues in Christology, scholasticism and debates around the theme of nature and grace, the Reformation and ecumenism, the Enlightenment and its relevance to Catholic theology, Vatican II, its origins and its reception. The module concludes with an exploration of a contemporary area of debate and discussion: students can choose to focus on “Theology and Prayer”, “Theology and Evil” or “Universal salvation”. Throughout students are enabled to explore and analyse a range of theological styles, from patristic and scholastic to recent liberation and African theologies, and to examine issues about the nature of theological method and the relevance of the study of theology to their own life and commitments.
Course Structure
This is a stand-alone module from the MA in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning, that can be completed on its own or used as a steppingstone into the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or MA in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning especially by those whose former academic study was in an area other than Theology or a closely related academic discipline.
Learning
The module is fully online and asynchronous. In each unit students will engage with primary texts, supported by written and video materials, interacting with one another through discussion boards. There will also be at least three optional online seminars, two individual tutorials, and a chance to engage with the lecturer at other times through online office hours.The expected total time spent by students on the module is 300 hours, including all work in preparation of essays. While students are encouraged to work through the units together as a cohort as far as possible, the module is designed with an understanding that students will need to work in different patterns, and there is a strong element of flexibility built into the module design.
Assessment
Students write, and receive feedback on formative essays after the 3rd and 7th unit. The module is assessed by two summative essays submitted at the end: one provides the opportunity for students to deepen their understanding and analysis of key texts and debates; the second is a reflective and integrative essay, asking students to explore the relationship of the learning on the module to their own context, practice and experience.
Entry requirements
- Degree in a humanities BA (or its international equivalent).
- Students with at least a 2.1 in a non-humanities first degree, who have the ability to engage in critical and analytical reflection on texts and ideas and to write academic essays are also very welcome to apply, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Fees and funding
The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.
Fees shown are for one year. Total fee will depend on the length of your programme. All fees are subject to annual increases. For more information please visit the Tuition Fees page www.durham.ac.uk/postgraduate/finance/tuition
Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.
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Theology & Religion
Department information
Theology & Religion
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