MY CART
All Independent Guided Studies and Immersion Experience will be offered in all sessions as required by students.
Units
2025 Availability
T9279
Women Doctors of the Church: Fresh Wisdom from Ancient Teachers and LeadersCurriculum Objectives
This unit studies each of the four women Doctors of the Church – Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila and Thérèse of Lisieux. It considers their significance in their particular historical contexts, their theological insights and the relevance of these insights in the twenty-first century. The unit also explores the contributions these women can make to discussions about the role of women as teachers and leaders in the contemporary Church.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which the women Doctors of the Church are theological sources.
- demonstrate an understanding of the historical contexts of the women Doctors of the Church, and the significance of these women to their particular contexts.
- describe and analyse the theological insights contained in the lives and writings of the women Doctors of the Church, and
- identify connections between the lives and theological insights of the women Doctors of the Church and contemporary global, social, professional, personal and ecclesial contexts.
Assumed Knowledge
T8106 and B8101
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- At least one hour per week for online lectures.
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
T9291
Foundations of Catholic Understanding IICurriculum Objectives
This independent directed study unit builds on those theories and concepts developed in Foundations of Catholic Understanding I. It enables students to develop an in-depth understanding of the basis of Catholic thought introduced in a second chosen Cornerstone subject. The selected subject must be different from that chosen in Foundations of Catholic Understanding I.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a critical understanding of the foundational theological issues for Catholic teachers
- apply critically a range of theological understandings of Catholic practice in the Catholic Schools context
- research and develop student appropriate, critically grounded responses to theological issues raised in the classroom
- effectively communicate the value of critical theological understanding for fulfilling the mission of Catholic education.
Assumed Knowledge
Nil
Study hours
11 hours per week for 11 week session, comprised of:
- At least one hour per week for online lectures
- At least four hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Teaching methods
Online lectures; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
T8194
Immersion Experience Critical ReflectionCurriculum Objectives
This graduate course unit aims to provide candidates with the opportunity to spend a significant period of time in one or more remote locations relevant to the biblical, theological or historical narrative of theological texts and/or movements, in order to appreciate more fully the impact of such locations on the interpretation of those narratives.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- analyse key contextual features which have contributed to the field under study
- assess the relative importance of various local historical, geographical or cultural features in terms of their positive or negative contribution to the particular narrative within the field under study
- critically analyse a specific topic within the field under study in terms of its local origin and its subsequent broader development
- reflect on the impact of the travel experience on their personal development and theological and/or ministry understanding within the field under study, and
- produce a presentation depicting the connection between the location visited and the narrative within the field under study, with a focus on an application to contemporary theological understanding and/or practice.
Assumed Knowledge
T8106 & B8101
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- 9 hours per week of independent study.
- 12 hours (approximately) across the session of guided study in dialogue with the supervisor.
Teaching methods
Guided reading; independent research.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
P8155
Foundations of Christian LeadershipAbstract
This graduate course unit focuses on the foundational elements of Christian leadership and details the distinction between leadership functions required for success in a religious, non-profit ministry vis-à-vis a commercial, for-profit business.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
- articulate an integrated knowledge of the historical, biblical and theological frameworks that shape a Christian leadership approach
- explain in detail the leadership functions required for success in a religious, non-profit ministry as distinct from a commercial, for-profit business
- critically analyse the relationship between specialised leadership qualities and an organisation’s non-commercial, world-changing mission
- analyse scholarly literature to reflect on their own personal strengths and identify opportunities for personal growth as a Christian leader within a specific context, and
- apply knowledge of a Christian leadership framework to provide practical recommendations for the effective governance, management or ministry operations of their own organisation.
Assumed Knowledge
N/A
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least seven hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Teaching methods
Online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
P9263
Leading Self, Leading OthersCurriculum Objectives
In this unit, students will draw on current scholarship in the areas of leadership and theology to develop their skills in reflecting on, and critically analysing, the intersections between self-leadership and leadership of others. Students will study the inner life of leaders, the self in relationship with God, self, and others, leading in faith-based learning communities, spiritualties of leadership, aspects of leadership formation. The unit provides opportunities for personal reflection and for praxis in own professional contexts as well as to strengthen skills in ethical decision-making related to leadership.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- understand the personal discipline involved in effective leadership and the motivation that underpins the exercise of this discipline
- demonstrate a capacity to articulate, defend, and critically evaluate an original spirituality of leadership related to their own leadership context
- demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which leaders understand and address the human context in which leadership is exercised, and
- articulate an advanced understanding of the intersections between the areas of justice in ministry, dialogue and relationship, relationship to the created world, reconciliation, justice and peace and moral vision and religious leadership.
Assumed Knowledge
P8155, M8161 and T8106
Study hours
11 hours per week for 11 week session, comprised of
- At least one hour per week for online lectures
- At least four hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
P9290
Capstone Project in Leadership and TheologyCurriculum Objectives
This Advanced graduate course unit provides an opportunity for students to integrate what they have previously learned in the major area of study, in other course units that formed part of the degree, and in their life experiences beyond the formal course of study. Its integrative nature incorporates reflection (on what they have learned), introspection (on where their understanding is currently) and projection (where the study may lead). It thus enables students to demonstrate a broad mastery of learning across the curriculum, to consider its application in future life situations, and to plan further learning experiences designed to complement and extend their current levels of understanding. It normally introduces little new content although it may introduce new methodologies and techniques.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- identify and analyse the core disciplinary assumptions and principles of the range of units in their course Major
- assess the degree of alignment of these assumptions and principles with those of course units beyond their course Major
- formulate a statement of wholistic integration of their core learning across the curriculum
- establish a personal plan for the integration of their studies beyond the period of study, and
- design an approach for leading a specific group of people into the implementation of the major learnings from their studies.
Assumed Knowledge
P8155, M8161 & P9264
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- At least four hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Teaching methods
One-to-one supervision.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
P9293
Minor Independent Guided Study (Leadership)Curriculum Objectives
This graduate course unit provides students with demonstrated initiative and creativity an opportunity to focus at an advanced level in a particular area of Leadership, under the tutelage and guidance of a specialist in the field. The unit is designed to refine the skills of independent study by allowing the student to define their own study, and to set their own goals by means of an extended guided reading program.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- develop a focused topic for independent scholarly investigation
- conduct independent research, under supervision, in terms of locating, utilising and referencing a wide range of appropriate primary and secondary sources
- analyse and evaluate with critical empathy a range of disparate scholarly positions
- defend an independent perspective on the topic of the investigation, and
- produce a cogent set of researched findings in an extended piece of academic writing.
Assumed Knowledge
P8155, M8161 & P9264, or for Governance and Canon Law students: P8160 & P8169
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- At least 10 hour per week of directed study, including reading, research, consultation with tutor and writing up of assessment tasks.
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.