The Theology programme has a comprehensive and well established distance learning programme that serves a very large number of students throughout New Zealand and even overseas.
By offering our papers on the distance learning network we have been able to remove a significant barrier to participation in the study of Theology. Students in Dunedin who are unable to attend lectures during the day may also enrol in distance learning papers.
Some students who are taking postgraduate research courses choose to do these by distance.
Visit the Distance Learning website
Modes of delivery for distance papers
We have thought carefully about how we can make you as a distance student feel connected to – not isolated from – your lecturers and fellow students. We offer a blended-learning model that involves videoconferences, face-to-face teaching days, and online learning. This mix of delivery methods supplies regular opportunities for you to connect, so you are not left feeling isolated or on your own. You will also have access to the University's distance Library service.
Library services for distance students Library Guide
Videoconferences
Videoconferences usually take place during the evening anywhere from three to seven times a semester. To access a videoconference you will need a computer with a webcam and headset microphone. We use a program called Zoom as the environment for videoconferences. This is easy to use (certainly once you are familiar with it) and brings a number of advantages – not least in being able to see your lecturer and fellow students, and in being able to signal that you would like to contribute to the discussion.
Videoconferences are generally run as seminars, where students can discuss key questions with the lecturer and others. A recording will be made available shortly after each conference if you have had to miss it. Do attend if possible: your preparation and participation make a critical difference to the learning experience, not just for you but for all your fellow students.
Learn about setting up videoconferences
Teaching days
Most 200-, 300- and 400-level papers include teaching days, which are recommended, though optional. Some videoconference-based papers include teaching days. These days are designed to make face-to-face teaching possible for the majority of enrolled students. They are usually scheduled early in the semester in order to encourage participation and a sense of community that will enhance the experience of the videoconferences and, where it forms part of the assessment, online discussion.
These teaching days take place in Wellington.
Details of the venue for these days will be provided on Aoroa. You should plan to arrive between 9:00 and 9:30am; the day will finish at 4:00pm.
Teaching days are a very valuable part of the student experience, enhancing and reinforcing the various dimensions of the learning process. It is extremely helpful for students and lecturers to meet, and for students to meet each other. Shortly after the teaching days have been completed each lecturer will post a video summarizing the main learning points of the teaching day for those students who were unable to attend.
Please note that teaching days are ultimately dependent on enrolments.
Intensives
Some papers are taught as in-person intensives at a designated location in New Zealand before the semester starts, usually for five days. You are given due dates for assessments to complete over the semester, which can be done by distance.
Resources
Theology papers (PDF)
Theology distance learning brochure (PDF)
Theology postgraduate qualifications (PDF)
Schedule of videoconferences (PDF)
Teaching days (PDF)
- Theology student resources and information
- Theology for Year-13 students
- Theology for home-educated students
- Biblical Hebrew and Greek papers for distance students
Distance students should enrol as "external" students.