Leadership & Theology

Curriculum Objectives

In this unit, students engage in an in-depth study of the concept of worldview and how it aligns with the study of hermeneutics, that is, the manner in which people and communities make sense of their experience. Students will utilise this methodology to analyse private and public worldviews, including the worldview of Australian culture. Finally, students will study how it is that faith intersects with culture, and how leaders within faith communities can respond.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:

• understand and critically evaluate various perspectives on worldview in both its private and communal dimensions, and the importance of private and public worldviews in shaping institutional cultures
• critically analyse the cultural influences re-shaping the worldviews of faith and culture, and study their impact on the process of individual and group meaning-making and resultant conceptions of religious mission
• understand the dynamics that bring about changes in historical consciousness and large-scale cultural transitions; chart the nature of cultural and religious transitions presently underway; and explore the implications of these transitions for leading religious organisations in the present liminal era, and
• demonstrate an advanced understanding of the hermeneutical and symbolic roles of the Christian leader as explorer, guide, and meaning-maker when leading in a liminal age.

Assumed Knowledge 

P8155 and M8161

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.

Lecturer

Dr Ken Avenell

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.