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CHTH423 Theology and Human Well-being (Advanced)

An investigation of Christian understandings of what it is to be human and their implications for human well-being in contemporary society.

Paper title Theology and Human Well-being (Advanced)
Paper code CHTH423
Subject Christian Thought and History
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period(s) Semester 2 (Distance learning)
Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) $1,206.91
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Restriction
CHTH 323
Limited to
BA(Hons), PGDipArts, PGCertChap, PGDipChap, MChap,, PGDipFBLM, MFBLM, BTheol(Hons), PGDipTheol, MTheol, PGDipMin, MMin
Notes
May not be credited together with CHTH215 or CHTH315 passed before 2013.
Contact

Professor Murray Rae: murray.rae@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Coordinator and Lecturer: Professor Murray Rae
Lecturer: Dr Greg Marcar

Paper Structure
  1. An essay selected from a range of topics on biblical anthropology.
    2500 words, 30%, 40 non-contact hours.

  2. A group assignment to identify, summarise and theologically evaluate key features of the differing conceptions of personal identity across Western, Māori, Pacific and Asian cultures.
    2500 words and oral presentation, 30%, 30 non-contact hours.

    Distance students will be assigned to a group and will develop their presentation using the Wiki facility on Blackboard. They may also choose to arrange Skype or Zoom meetings to work on the project together. The group work will be presented during Zoom conferences held for Distance students. Campus students will meet face to face at times arranged to suit them and will present the results of their work in class seminars.

    The group assignment will be assessed by the following means. Of the 30% awarded for the project, 15% will be awarded on the basis of the written or wiki document prepared by the group (this grade will be applied to all group members), 5% will be awarded to individuals on the basis of peer assessment by group members and 10% will be awarded to individuals on the basis of their performance in the group presentation and Q&A.

  3. An essay selected from a range of topics involving the application of course material to a particular context of institutional, social, or political community.
    3500 words, 40%, 60 non-contact hours.
Teaching Arrangements

The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching

Campus: One two-hour lecture each week.
Distance: A one-hour introductory videoconference on Zoom, a teaching day, and four two-hour videoconferences on Zoom during the semester. Recordings will be available on Blackboard for students who cannot attend the teaching day live.

Textbooks

There is no compulsory text book for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

On completion of the paper, students should be able to:

  • Describe the distinctive elements of a variety of theological and philosophical understandings of humanity
  • Critically evaluate the foundational assumptions underlying those ideas
  • Critically engage with a range of ideas about the nature of persons
  • Work constructively in a team project
  • Competently develop and evaluate the ethical implications of Christian understandings of the human person
  • Engage competently and critically with primary sources
  • Confidently present and defend ideas and arguments in both written and oral form
  • Competently investigate the implications of theological understandings of the person for particular social contexts or work environments

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Timetable

Semester 2

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught through Distance Learning
Learning management system
Blackboard

Semester 2

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Blackboard

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Thursday 11:00-12:50 28-34, 36-41