The Programme

The Master of Arts in Theology is co-ordinated by academic staff members of Australian Catholic University. Commencing operation as a University in 1991, Australian Catholic University has its origins in the 1850s and as such has inherited traditions of excellence in teaching and genuine concern for students. Students of all denominations are welcome at Australian Catholic University because the word Catholic basically means all embracing-universal.

Australian Catholic University is a fully recognised and approved higher education institution and is a member of Australia's Unified National System of Higher Education. All courses are accredited by the Register of Australian Tertiary Education. The Australian university system has a strong reputation for quality degrees which are recognised world-wide. Australian Catholic University is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the International Federation of Catholic Universities.

Australian Catholic University has long recognised the importance of developing an international outlook, reflected in the international focus of its programs. The Master of Arts in Theology was first offered in Hong Kong in November 1997, in co-operation with Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS), Caritas Francis Hsu College.

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Academic Staff

Teaching of the program is by academic staff with a wide range of expertise both within and outside Australian Catholic University. The following academic staff have major responsibilities for the program:

Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Professor Peter Carpenter, TC, BEd, MA, PhD

Course Co-ordinator

Dr Mary Coloe pbvm, TPTC, BA, BTheol(Hons), DTheol

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Message from Co-ordinator

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

THEOLOGY IN HONG KONG

Since 1997 Australian Catholic University has been teaching a Masters course in Theology here in Hong Kong. The course, Master of Arts in Theology, is administered locally through Caritas Francis Hsu College - Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS) and is identical to the course taught in Australia. Three times a year lecturers come to Hong Kong to teach a Masters unit over a period of two weeks with lectures each evening and on Saturday afternoon. Studying in this manner enables a student in Hong Kong to complete the program over two years.

In November 2000, at the annual graduation ceremony in Hong Kong, eight students from the first group graduated with their Masters Degree and this will bring great benefit not only to these students in their professional work but also to the Church here in Hong Kong. It is both pleasing and very important to see the interest in theological study developing here. The church in Hong Kong and China needs men and women with good theological skills to develop ways of bringing the Gospel of Jesus to people in this culture, and only the people of Hong Kong can do this. Australian lecturers can assist but we cannot bridge the cultural gap to really develop an Asian theology. We would hope that our graduates will be able to do this.

There are various entry levels into the program. A degree holder with substantive studies in theological components would require the standard eight units program. Students who already hold a degree in other disciplines without significant studies in theology are required to do ten units while students with the Diploma in Biblical Studies need to complete a total of twelve units. The units taught in Hong Kong cover a broad range of Theological disciplines, biblical, systematic, moral, pastoral, historical and spiritual. It is also possible for people interested in doing units but not wanting to do the assessment or complete the degree to audit the lectures. If you are interested in furthering your own theological understanding you could make further enquires at CAPS (caps@cfhc.caritas.edu.hk) and also check on our University website to see the program and the lecturers involved.

For further information please see the website http://www.cfhc.caritas.edu.hk/college/main/caps/mot/mot.htm

Remember, Australian Catholic University is only a bus ride from your front door.

Yours sincerely

Dr. Mary Coloe

Co-ordinator
Master of Arts in Theology

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Our Support

While Australian Catholic University has responsibility for teaching and academic accreditation of the program, it is offered for, and co-operatively with CAPS, which is responsible for local course administration.

The library at Holy Spirit Seminary College is available for use by students through subscription.

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Programme Objectives

By the end of the Master of Arts in Theology, the anticipated attributes of graduates should include:

• a professional academic training in Theology
  
• an ability to apply their theological knowledge to their professional lives
  
• a capacity to undertake independent theological investigation
  
• an ability to exercise Christian leadership
  
• an ability to instruct in the Christian tradition
  
• an awareness of the Christian commitment to the betterment of society and to the basic rights of the human being

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Programme Structure

The program is available in 2 modes as follows:

• 8 coursework units (Units 1 to 8); or
  
• 6 coursework units (out of Units 1 to 8) plus a Research Project (a double unit).

Permission for a student to undertake the Research Project must be obtained from the Professor of Theology on the advice of the Course Co-ordinator. The Research Project cannot begin until students have successfully completed at least 4 units.

Each coursework unit is of 36 contact hours conducted by the university staff. To accommodate the employment commitments of students, the 8 coursework units are taught in blocks of time incorporating evening and Saturday classes at CAPS.

Lectures are held from 6:30pm until 10:00pm on weekdays and from 2:00pm to 6:00pm on Saturday.

Students without substantive studies in theological components in the past may need to successfully complete a preparatory unit by distance learning before they are admitted to the program.

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Programme Duration

Student undertakes the maximum course load, the 8 units can be completed in about 30 months (and additional months for students who need to complete the preparatory unit).

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Programme Delivery/Tuition Methods

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Attendance Requirements

Attendance at scheduled classes is a normal expectation, and it is to students' advantage to do so. In addition to successfully completing the course requirements for each unit, students are required to have attended at least 80% of classes in each of the 8 coursework unit.

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The Award

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Programme Units

The following is a list of courses offered by the University:

• Jesus the Christ
• Christian Spirituality
• A Synoptic Gospel
• Approaching World Religions
• Text and Context in Early Judaism
• Moral Theology: Ecology
• The Johannine Literature
• Theology of Sacraments
• Women and the Church
• Theological Perspectives on the Bible
• Issues in Christian Ethics
• Fundamental Issues in Theology
• History and Development of the Church
• Liturgical Studies
• Research Project (Double Unit)
• Biblical Studies (Preparatory Unit)

Unit Descriptions

In this unit students will consider how, in today's cultural context, a reasoned understanding of Jesus' significances can be achieved. The inquiry begins with the way the New Testament writes described Jesus, and asks how the descriptions of Jesus in the early Creeds arose. It examines major Christological developments within the Christian Tradition, as well as considering some contemporary approaches to Christology.

Through a study of spiritual classics from different eras of the Christian church's life, students will be helped to identify the main theological themes that shape the development of spiritualities. They will be offered an intellectual framework that will enable them to deepen their understanding of some major models of Christian spirituality and evaluate some contemporary trends.

This unit provides students with the opportunity for advanced study of either the Gospel of Matthew or the Gospel of Luke. The unit will examine the social, religious and historical contexts, the literary genre and narrative construction of the gospel, and its theological interpretation of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

This unit is concerned with the great religious traditions of the world. Each tradition is studied on its own terms, and attention is paid to respective historical developments.

This unit explores the relationship between historical events and literature in the way they influence one another. The unit will focus on such events as the expansion of Hellenistic culture, the Maccebean revolt and the destruction of Jerusalem as reflected in the writings of Josephus, Philo, the Qumran community, the Mishnah and the Pseudepigrapha.

This unit explores a moral theology of nature which is person centred but interrelated with the earth. It considers philosophical and theological views of nature and the social causes of our ecological crisis. Attention is given to the discussion of the distinctiveness of the human person and the moral status of animals. The unit also explores, evaluates and critiques specific moral problems from the perspectives of ecofeminism and pantheism.

This unit will introduce students to both classical and contemporary thought on the background, literary character and theology of the Fourth Gospel. It will incorporate a detailed study of a section of the Fourth Gospel. The Johannine Epistles will be treated in relationship with the Fourth Gospel, especially during the consideration of John 21 and the detailed study of a section of the Gospel.

This unit aims to broaden students' understanding of sacraments and sacramentality in the context of ecclesiology. Elements of symbol and ritual in the liturgical celebration of the sacraments will be studied as will the historical development and use of sacraments in the life of the church. This unit also examines current theological approaches to sacramental theology.

Focuses on women's participation in the life of the Christian story with particular emphasis on the early Christian centuries and on developments over the last century. Participants will be introduced to contemporary feminist theologies and the various strands of feminist biblical scholarship and will endeavour to formulate a new inclusive vision of Church.

This unit examines various key themes such as covenant, discipleship, and God's presence. This will be a thematic approach using both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures to explore the different theological perspectives they offer.

This unit covers a range of issues in the theory and practice of Moral Theology as a discipline within theology. It will examine some of the major questions, concepts and areas of debate in the field of Christian ethics in the Catholic tradition.

This unit examines such fundamental issues as: religious experience, the nature of religion, religion and society, religious pluralism, theology as reflection on religious tradition, revelation and faith, tradition and experience, and theological method.

Selected periods in the history of the Church are examined. The unit focuses on those images and dimensions by which the church has sought to understand and express itself theologically, and which have been of special significance for later generation.

This unit explores contemporary Christian liturgy in the Roman Catholic tradition: the Jewish origins of Christian liturgy, symbolic-ritual dimensions, relations to Christ and the Church. It involves a study of the liturgy as the active participation of the people in the Church's prayer. Attention will be given to the basic structures and forms of liturgy.

Students who are considering undertaking Doctoral work are advised to take this Research Project to provide an opportunity to gain skills in independent research. Permission for a student to undertake the Research Project must be obtained from the Professor of Theology on the advice of the Course Co-ordinator. Students would be required to have successfully completed four units before taking this Project.

This unit provides an introduction to the background history, culture and narrative literature of ancient Israel and first century Christianity through a study of Genesis 1-11 and the Gospel of Mark.

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Assessment

In the first lecture of Units 1-8, the lecturer will provide each student with a Unit Outline. This includes

• details of unit objectives,
  
• assessment tasks,
  
• percentage of marks allocated to assessment tasks,
  
• dates for the submission of assignments, and
• any special requirements of that unit.

Assignments and other tasks will take the form of academic papers written in English. The Unit Outline for the preparatory unit is provided together with the distance learning materials for collection by the students.

The following numerical grading scale is used in assessing coursework units:

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Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

In keeping with Australian Catholic University Regulations, the minimum requirement for entry into the Master of Arts in Theology will be 4 years of relevant undergraduate study or its equivalent. Entrance is attainable via a number of paths, such as:

• Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureatus (STB) at Holy Spirit Seminary College, or its equivalent at a recognised tertiary institution.
  
• Bachelor of Religious Sciences at Holy Spirit Seminary College, or its equivalent at a recognised tertiary institution.
  
• An undergraduate degree including substantive studies in theological components.
  
• A bachelor's degree with Honours at a minimum level of IIB or equivalent in other disciplines. Students in this category will need to successfully complete 10 units which include one Preparatory Unit in Bibical Studies (THEO502) and 9 units from the MA Theology program.
  
• A diploma in Bibical Studies or equivalent. Students in this category will need to successfully complete a total of 12 units from the MA Theology program for graduation.

Special Entry

Applicants not possessing the above requirements but who hold professional qualifications and are registered to practice their profession can apply for special entry. Applicants must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the School Committee that their knowledge and skills are such that they are likely to succeed in the course.

English Requirements

Applicants are also required to attend an interview and to successfully complete an English test, which will take the form of a short essay written in English. Both the interview grade and the essay grade are taken into account in assessing an applicant's English proficiency.

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Credit Transfer

A person holding an equivalent qualification in

• Scripture,
  
• Theology, or
  
• Theological Studies

may apply for credit for postgraduate studies, which have already been completed.

Applications for credit for individual units should be done in writing, accompanied by photocopies of the syllabus or full course outlines for the supporting qualifications. These documents must be submitted together with the application form. A credit recognition fee will be liable for each unit granted credit. Applications for credit will not be accepted after an applicant has been accepted to enrol in the program.

Applications for credit are assessed on an individual basis according to the University regulations governing the granting of credit. Credit will not normally be given for units completed more than 10 years prior to admission to the program.

No credit will be allowed into the Master of Arts program in Theology except for appropriate work done at the Master's level.

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Auditing Units

Students may attend units without doing the assessment. These audited units do not count towards any ACU qualification. If you are interested in sitting in classes, contact the Programme Administrator at CAPS at tel 2508 9122.

Permission will usually be given if numbers allow this. Check the cost for auditing with CAPS.

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Commencement Dates

The program allows flexibility in the commencement date. Successful applicants may join at the start of any of the 8 coursework units if sufficient places are available, and complete the outstanding units in the next intake.

Candidates who need to take the preparatory unit may join at the start of any of the unit if sufficient places are available.

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Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for Units 1 to 8 and Preparatory Unit are HK$7,500 and HK$6,000 per unit respectively. The total tuition fees are:

• HK$60,000 for students who need to complete 8 units
  
• HK$73,500 for students who need to complete 10 units

Tuition fees are payable in four instalments, the schedule of payment is:

(The 1st instalment will be HK$7,500 for students who start with Units 2 or 5). A fee of HK$3,800 is payable for every unit granted credit transfer.

Students who have to complete units with the next intake are subject to any fee increase applied to that intake.

Fees paid are not transferable. Fees paid will not be refunded unless there is a premature ending of the program, in which case fees will be refunded within one month of the intended start of the session.

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Application Procedure

Applicants must complete every section of the application form obtained from CAPS. The completed application form should be accompanied by:

• Certified copies of educational qualifications (academic transcripts) and/or professional qualifications;
  
• An application fee of HK$200 which should be paid by crossed cheque or money order payable to "Caritas - Hong Kong (ES)";
  
• A recent photograph;
  
• Copy of HKID card or passport.
  

The application form and these documents should be sent or delivered to:

The ACU Programme Administrator (Theology)
Caritas Francis Hsu College - CAPS
1/F, SUP Tower, 75-83 King's Road
North Point
Hong Kong

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Closing Dates for Application

To apply for commencement in a particular unit (out of Units 1-8) in each intake, the deadline for application is 4 weeks before the commencement of the unit that the applicant intends to join.

To apply for commencement in the preparatory unit, the deadlines for application are Mar 1 and Sep 1 respectively for entry in Apr and Oct.

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Scholarship

Successful applicants may apply for

• the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong Laity Formation Fund; or
  
• the Hong Kong Catholic Diocesan Schools Religious Education Scholarship for diocesan school teachers.

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Schedule

Classes are normally held from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm on Mon, Tue, Thur and Fri and from 2:00pm to 6:00pm on Sat.

Australian Catholic University reserves the right to adjust the sequence / schedule of the coursework units offered.

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Preparatory Unit

The preparatory unit, THEO502 Biblical Studies, is designed for students without previous theological studies. It is offered in Apr-Jun and Oct-Dec annually.

The unit will be taught using Distance Education materials from the University, with four two-hour tutorials conducted by local staff. The tutorials will be held in the evening or on Saturday afternoon with a detailed schedule announced to the students before enrolment. The Distance Education materials will provide students with a guided self-study program and a booklet of readings. Tutorials will further clarify the materials and help students prepare the two assessment essays required in the unit.

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Contact Information

HONG KONG
	Programme Administrator Master of Arts in Theology
	Centre for Advanced & Professional Studies Caritas Francis Hsu College 1/F, SUP Tower 75-83 King's Road North Point Hong Kong
	2508 9122
	2524 0659

	caps@cfhc.caritas.edu.hk
AUSTRALIA
	Course Co-ordinator, MA in Theology (Hong Kong)
	School of Theology Australian Catholic University Locked Bag 4115 Fitzory MDC VIC 3065 Australia
	+61-3-9953 3137
	+61-3-9953 3245

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Local Registration

The Master of Theology program has been registered with the Education Department in accordance with the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance (CAP.493). The Course Registration Number is 210038.

According to the Ordinance, it is the discretion of individual employers to recognize any qualification to which the courses may lead.

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