Information on the Certificate Programme (Level 5) Course Units
Theology
Level 5, 10 Credits
Catholics hold certain beliefs which shape the way they think about themselves, God, other people and the world. Those beliefs are found in Scripture and Tradition, celebrated in the Liturgy, articulated by the Church teaching authority and witnessed to in the lives of Christians. This course explores the concepts and beliefs that have shaped the Catholic tradition and so provide a background to understanding Catholic identity.
Level 5, 10 Credits
Theology is “faith seeking understanding”. This course will explore questions about God, Jesus Christ, creation and being human in light of scripture, tradition and experience. Students will be encouraged to explore the Christian theological Tradition and examine the contexts in which theology is done.
Level 5, 10 Credits
This course will explore the major historical developments that have influenced the contemporary sacramental practice of the Catholic Church. It will examine some key cultural influences that have shaped and defined the Sacraments highlighting how the faith of the Church is expressed, nourished and strengthened in the celebration of sacramental rituals.
TH504 Catholic Social Teaching
Level 5, 10 Credits
Catholic Social Teaching outlines the moral teaching of the Church as it applies to public community issues. This course will give an introduction to the Church’s teaching on social, economic, political and cultural matters. Catholic Social Teaching assists the People of God to overcome the separation of Gospel from life and to integrate faith and life to help create a more just world.
TH505 Issues in Christian Ethics
Level 5, 10 Credits
Christian ethics seeks to respond to the often challenging human experiences and life choices and experiences from a faith-filled perspective. This course will examine the key principles underlying Christian ethics and morality. It will introduce the idea that the Christian perspective exists alongside other perspectives. It will also introduce students to some of the different approaches to moral decision-making.
TH506 He Timatanga – a Beginning
Level 5, 10 Credits
This course introduces students to fundamental Māori concepts and their application. It begins with the correct pronunciation and application of te reo Māori and the basic generic concepts found in tikanga Māori. This paper seeks to engage students in both the content and the process associated with learning te reo and tikanga Māori and assist them to listen with new ears and see with new eyes.
Sacred Scripture
SC501 Understanding the Old Testament
Level 5, 10 Credits
SC502 Interpreting the New Testament
Level 5, 10 Credits
Pastoral Studies
PM502 Spirituality for Ministry
PM504 Pastoral Ministry in Praxis
Religious Education
RE501 Religious Education Today
Level 5, 10 Credits
This course will enable students to explore and deepen their knowledge and understanding of the language, effective teaching and assessment of Religious Education within Catholic schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. The exploration will take in the context of the primary and secondary Religious Education curriculum statements prescribed by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference (NZCBC).
RE502 Spirituality for Teachers
Level 5, 10 Credits
This course will provide students with the opportunity to explore the meaning of Christian spirituality; practical suggestions to enhance the place of prayer and liturgy in the life of a Catholic school community; and the opportunity to examine the impact of faith development on the growth and development of the spirituality of children and/or adolescents in the context of a Catholic School in Aotearoa New Zealand.
RE503 Teaching Practice (Pre-service)
Level 5, 20 Credits
A teaching practicum in a Catholic School is an opportunity to experience the life of a Catholic Community, to participate in the role of teacher of Religious Education and leader of class prayer, and to model gospel values to students, staff, parents and the wider community of the school. This paper is a capstone paper where students will integrate, synthesise, and apply the knowledge and skills achieved throughout the qualification.
RE504 Teaching in a Catholic School (In service)
Level 5, 20 Credits
This course draws on Church documents, other current writings and the experience of the participants to examine the life of a Catholic school community. It is a capstone paper where students will integrate, synthesise, and apply their knowledge and skills to examine the identity and mission of Catholic Schools; explore teaching and leadership roles in Catholic Schools; reflect on how Catholic Schools can model gospel values to the wider school community and examine the meaning of Special Character as it is lived out in their own Catholic school setting.
