Christianity has been a hugely influential force in the development of Western civilisation, helping to shape the world in which we live today. It continues to have a very significant global presence.
Christian Thought and History explores the history, beliefs and values of Christianity – their origins, development and varying contexts.
Christian Thought and History can also be taken as an endorsement (specialisation) option for the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).
For further information, please see the subject entry for Theology
Career opportunities
Graduates develop valuable skills in critical thinking, research and communication. They go on to develop careers in any number of roles: teaching, social work, journalism, librarianship, administration, aid and development agencies, government department work, and church leadership and ministry.
Background required
All you need to study Christian thought and history is a sense of curiosity about the world and human experience. You do not need to have a faith of your own to find compelling the issues raised by Theology. Students of all or no religious persuasions are welcome.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Theology (BTheol)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Bachelor of Theology with Honours (BTheol(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (PGDipTheol)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Christian Thought and History
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | CHTH 102 The History of Christianity CHTH 111 Doing Theology or CHTH 131 God and Ethics in the Modern World | 18 18 |
| 200-level | Three 200-level CHTH papers, one of which may be replaced with a 200-level BIBS paper | 54 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level CHTH papers, one of which may be replaced with a 300-level BIBS paper | 72 |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) majoring in Christian Thought and History
| Papers |
|---|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Christian Thought and History
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Christian Thought and History is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Bachelor of Theology (BTheol) endorsed in Christian Thought and History
| Papers |
|---|
Every BTheol programme must include the following core papers: |
A programme may be endorsed in Christian Thought and History if it includes a total of eight CHTH papers, including three at 300-level. |
Bachelor of Theology with Honours (BTheol(Hons)) in Christian Thought and History
| Papers |
|---|
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Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (PGDipTheol) in Christian Thought and History
| Papers |
|---|
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Minor subject requirements
Christian Thought and History as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level CHTH papers | 36 |
| 200-level | Two 200-level CHTH papers | 36 |
| 300-level | One 300-level CHTH paper | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHTH102 | 2023 | The History of Christianity | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH111 | 2023 | Doing Theology | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH131 | 2023 | God and Ethics in the Modern World | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH206 | 2023 | The Reformation | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH212 | 2023 | Spirit, Church and Sacraments | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH213 | 2023 | The Trinity | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH217 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH218 | 2023 | The Person and Work of Christ | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| CHTH224 | 2023 | Theology and the Environment | 18 points | 1st Non standard period |
| CHTH231 | 2023 | Christianity, War and Violence | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH233 | 2023 | Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| CHTH235 | 2023 | Special Topic: Theology, Money and Markets | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH236 | 2023 | Māori Theology and Religion | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH237 | 2023 | Special Topic: Moana Pasifika Theology | 18 points | 1st Non standard period |
| CHTH305 | 2023 | The Roots of Public Theology | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH306 | 2023 | The Reformation (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH312 | 2023 | Spirit, Church and Sacraments (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH313 | 2023 | The Trinity (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH314 | 2023 | The Theology of Søren Kierkegaard | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH317 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH318 | 2023 | The Person and Work of Christ (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| CHTH319 | 2023 | Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH320 | 2023 | Public Theology and Social Justice | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| CHTH322 | 2023 | Citizenship, Democracy and Discipleship | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH323 | 2023 | Theology and Human Well-being | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH324 | 2023 | Theology and the Environment (Advanced) | 18 points | 1st Non standard period |
| CHTH331 | 2023 | Christianity, War and Violence (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH333 | 2023 | Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| CHTH335 | 2023 | Special Topic: Theology, Money and Markets (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH336 | 2023 | Māori Theology and Religion (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH337 | 2023 | Special Topic: Moana Pasifika Theology (Advanced) | 18 points | 1st Non standard period |
| CHTH403 | 2023 | The Puritans: Working out the English Reformation | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH405 | 2023 | The Roots of Public Theology | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH414 | 2023 | The Theology of Søren Kierkegaard (Advanced) | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH415 | 2023 | Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology (Advanced) | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH416 | 2023 | The Theology of Bonhoeffer | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| CHTH420 | 2023 | Public Theology and Social Justice (Advanced) | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| CHTH422 | 2023 | Citizenship, Democracy and Discipleship (Advanced) | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2025 |
| CHTH423 | 2023 | Theology and Human Well-being (Advanced) | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH490 | 2023 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
Key information for future students
Contact us
Email theology@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/theology
