Department of Social and Religious Studies
Programs Structure
The Department offers a one-year Certificate in Religious Studies and a Diploma in Arts (Religious Studies) at the end of the second year. The Bachelor Degree segment will be introduced in 2005. Full-time attendance at Divine Word University is required of students who undertake these programs.
The units are built around streams that represent the traditional divisions of theology and pastoral practice. Biblical Studies covers the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. Christian Thought and History include systematic theology, a study of revelation and faith, Christology, the sacraments and church history. Moral and practical theology focus on moral theology, liturgy, counselling, religious education and pastoral life in parishes.
Practical skills are developed through a religious education practicum and a pastoral experience program. Training is provided for students to become ministers of the Eucharist. Training in computer skills serves as a preparation for later involvement in many areas of modern- day work. Attention is given to improvement of English to provide further equipment for a student’s chosen course in life.
The Department also offers a Graduate Diploma in Religious Education to teachers. This program is run at Divine Word University at the end of the academic year, i.e., November-December. It is envisaged that this program will take a student four years to complete. New students may begin the program in any year as it is intended that the course will be on-going and there is no pre-requisite for any unit.
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