Course Catalogue

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This practice oriented course is designed for students who have previously studied theology/doctrine and biblical studies at level 1 or 2. It offers a reflective introduction to the processes involved in planning, producing and participating in worship practices including sermons, liturgies and rituals.

1x2hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Theology & Religious Studies and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to students fulfilling requirements for entry into Level Three courses in Theology and Religious Studies, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation. It is recommended that students should have done Worship and Liturgy 1 or an equivalent introductory course in worship and homiletics and have done a course in Biblical Studies.

TRS2008 Worship & Liturgy 2

TRS4041 Worship & Witness in a Theological Perspective

None

Essay (2000 words) - 50%

Critical reflection on a sermon, liturgy or ritual presented in class or another suitable context (2000 words) 50%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

This course aims to:

■ equip students to reflect theologically on contemporary understandings of the design, presentation and reception of worship materials and practices;

■ train students to research, generate and use resources to assist in the planning and conduct of worship from a range of materials including online sources; 

■ explore the significance of worship and ritual in relation to the human life cycle;

■ develop writing, presentation and evaluation skills through active engagement in a worship reflection group led by an experienced practitioner;

■ offer students detailed feedback on their own practice as a preacher/worship leader 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ reflect theologically on the design, presentation and reception of worship material and offer a sound basic evaluation of these in relation to their own practice;

■ employ a variety of resources for the design of worship material;

■ design liturgical material appropriate to different stages in the human life cycle;

■ critically assess their own practice as a worship leader and supportively critique the work of colleagues.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.