The Department has students living from one end of the country to the other, thanks to a comprehensive and well established distance learning programme. We realize that some people can't take extended time out from their careers and families to move to Dunedin to enjoy the benefits of study on campus. By offering these courses on the Distance Learning network we have been able to remove a significant barrier to participation in the study of Theology. Students have the opportunity to study theology off-campus as well as on-campus, and may choose a mix of the two modes. Students in Dunedin who are unable to attend lectures during the day may also enrol in distance learning papers.
It is our aim to offer the compulsory 100-level papers every second year by distance, and most other papers every third or fourth year. In this fashion you should be able to complete any qualification from wherever you live in much the same time frame as a campus student, though with fewer papers to choose from in any particular year.
We have three modes of delivering our distance papers...
Audioconferences
Audioconferences involve you in a two-hour conference call with your class and lecturer every second Monday evening throughout the semester. The time for the class will be either 6.10pm to 8.00pm, or 8.10pm to 10.00pm. If you reside in Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland you may be asked to go in to a centre to participate in audioconferences; otherwise you use your home phone (we pay the cost of the toll call).
Intensives
Intensives require you to come to Dunedin or another location to experience a week of lectures. Intensives usually begin around lunchtime on the Monday and end around lunchtime on the Friday. After that week you return home to complete your assessment during the semester. Some reading is required prior to intensives, which is why it is important to enrol early for these.
Internet-based papers
Internet-based papers allow you to study at a time of your own choosing.
In each case you will receive a substantial coursebook of notes and readings that, in most cases, will provide all the material you need to complete the course.
You will find further useful information about distance study on the University's website.
Distance Enquiries...
The Departmental Administrator
Room 4C9, Arts Building
Tel 03 479 8901
Email theology@otago.ac.nz