Course Details for Master of Theology

R351.830 Postgraduate Research and Writing

Terry Pouono

Postgraduate Research and Writing introduces you to the wonder and joy of research. It is a course designed to inspire students with the vast breadth of cutting edge investigations that are being done by the lecturers at Laidlaw, and then to teach them how to research themselves by partnering with one of these lecturers. Students will develop and hone the skills of research and writing by designing and implementing a short research project in their own area of interest.

R361.830 Research Paper

Dependent on supervisor availability. This course offers a student a supervised research essay on an approved topic in an aspect of Theology and/or related discipline. Students can apply to the Head of Theology for enrolment in this course upon the successful completion of R351.830 Postgraduate Research and Writing.

R381.930 Dissertation A

This dissertation (A and B) is assessed as Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework, and is normally undertaken in the final part of a student's MTh candidature.

R382.930 Dissertation B

This dissertation (A and B) is assessed as Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework, and is normally undertaken in the final part of a student's MTh candidature.

R383.930 Thesis A

The thesis is assessed as Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework, and is normally undertaken in the final part of a student's MTh candidature. A 120 credit, 40,000 word thesis consists of Thesis A, B, C, and D.

R384.930 Thesis B

The thesis is assessed as Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework, and is normally undertaken in the final part of a student's MTh candidature. A 120 credit, 40,000 word thesis consists of Thesis A, B, C, and D. A 90 credit, 30,000 word thesis consists of Thesis B, C, and D.

R385.930 Thesis C

The thesis is assessed as Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework, and is normally undertaken in the final part of a student's MTh candidature. A 120 credit, 40,000 word thesis consists of Thesis A, B, C, and D. A 90 credit, 30,000 word thesis consists of Thesis B, C, and D.

R386.930 Thesis D

The thesis is assessed as Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework, and is normally undertaken in the final part of a student's MTh candidature. A 120 credit, 40,000 word thesis consists of Thesis A, B, C, and D. A 90 credit, 30,000 word thesis consists of Thesis B, C, and D.

R508.830 Reflective Practice for Ministry

Graeme Flett, Maja Whitaker

This course explores the postures and practices that allow people in ministry to flourish in their ministry context. Students will learn to critically evaluate their ministry environment both culturally and contextually, to develop practices of discernment and habits of mind that produce resilience over the long-term, and to understand what they bring to their ministry role from their own personality, context and as a participant in community, and all learning is grounded in the student’s own ministry context.

R612.830 The Church for Others

Joe McGarry | 4-8 Sep 2023, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

The church’s social advocacy is increasingly recognised as a central aspect of her witness in the world. And yet, a call to social action can often be cast aside or seen as just one priority amongst many. This course presents biblical, theological, and historical investigations into the self-emptying existence for others which rests at the heart of Christian existence. Beginning with the biblical witness regarding the community’s posture towards the vulnerable, the course then uses Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theological work to guide our discourse. We will hear Bonhoeffer ask, “Is the church the church if she does not exist for others?” and consider the significance of moving social action from the register of mission (something the church does) into the register of being (something the church is). The course will conclude by investigating historical case studies, illuminating how social action for the other historically and consistently emerges when the church lives from her faithful identity in Christ, and how it can be applied in the varied cultural contexts that exist in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.