Transforming Faith and Life Study at Yarra Theological Union 2020 PROSPECTUS CRICOS Provider 01037A 2020 Prospectus | 1 We seek to promote and resource the participation of all people in the mission of God, for the building up of a healthy church and for the transformation of the world. The Yarra Theological Union 2020 Prospectus is intended as an introductory guide to students who may wish to apply to study at the College. Interested students should first seek an appointment with the Yarra Theological Union Dean to discuss what is the best program of studies to suit their needs. Students who are ready to enrol may either fill out an application in person at the initial interview, or download a form from the University of Divinity website (divinity.edu.au) and return the completed from with the relevant documentation to the Yarra Theological Union office. Potential students who wish to find out more about theological education at the University of Divinity, or who would like to discuss their application, are encouraged to contact the Yarra Theological Union Office. Ross Fishburn Tau Cross: crafted by Paul Shields, using four different Australian timbers (2015), [email protected] reproduced with permission. 2 | Yarra Theological Union About Yarra Theological Union Yarra Theological Union (YTU) is a College of the University of Divinity, Australia’s only specialised university. YARRA THEOLOGICAL UNION IS • a centre for theological education and On 18th January 1973, YTU was granted ministerial formation for men and formal recognition as an institute of women and seminarians, especially priestly formation by the then Archbishop religious and lay people; of Melbourne, James Cardinal Knox. In • a College in the Catholic tradition, under September 1973, YTU, together with the the auspices of eight religious orders; Catholic Theological College in Clayton • open to all who would wish to enrol and the United Faculty of Theology in from any church background; Parkville, was approved by the University • a place of hospitality and welcome; of Divinity (then MCD) as a College with the • committed to being a community of right to teach for the degree of Bachelor of scholarship, prayer and pastoral care. Theology. This was extended to approving the right to teach towards the postgraduate Yarra Theological Union was originally degrees of Master of Theology and Doctor founded in 1971 by the Carmelites, the of Theology in 1975. Franciscans, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and the Passionists. Over the years Over recent years YTU, together with the other orders joined: the Redemptorists other colleges of the University of Divinity (Australian and New Zealand Provinces), (UD), has extended its teaching program to Pallottines, Dominicans, Divine Word provide postgraduate units for candidates Missionaries, the Discalced Carmelites for the degrees of Master of Theological and the Blessed Sacrament Congregation. Studies, Graduate Diploma in Theology, Graced by the generosity of the Franciscan Master of Theology (Coursework), Doctor Friars YTU is located at St. Paschal Friary. of Philosophy, and, from 2018 Master of Education and Theology. Building a Healthier Church YTU aims to contribute to the building up of to a more participatory and collaborative healthy models of ministry and church life mode of being church. We believe this through theological teaching and research. renewed way of being church can be found and resourced from within the Catholic Carrying forward this aim has two aspects: tradition. healthy practice and cultural change. To build a healthy church, we need to YTU seeks to progress both these aspects of promote and resource healthy practice of its project by its formational practices with being church and doing ministry. seminarians, and through workshops and To build a healthy church also requires us events aimed at the wider church public. It to change and transform the culture of seeks to embed this aim in its curriculum. the church, to move away from clericalism 2020 Prospectus | 3 Why study theology? People study theology for all sorts of Theological graduates use their reasons. Some study theology to train for qualifications as preparation for ministry, ministry whether lay or ordained. Some as further qualifications to enrich careers study theology to help clarify where God in teaching, pastoral care, educational is calling them to be. Some study theology leadership, mission, welfare and many to gain a deeper personal understanding other roles within the churches and of their faith, of the scriptures, or of the beyond. traditions of the church. For some people, theological study is like study in the liberal Whatever your reasons for wanting to study arts, providing a training in thinking and theology I encourage you to come and have argumentation, and in the breadth and a chat with us about how YTU can help you depth of Christian culture. All of these are achieve your goals in theological studies. valid reasons to study theology, and this list Reverend Dr Ross Fishburn (Academic Dean) is not exhaustive! What our students say “YTU is a supportive and loving community “After twenty years of teaching and not that’s enabled so many people to deepen being a student myself, I returned to the their understanding of who God is, both in world of further studies. The staff at YTU their lives and in the wider world. The sense have been amazing in guiding me and of “community” amongst the students, delivering a quality education. The four faculty and admin is something that makes years I have so far spent at the campus this beautiful college unique, and inviting. It have absolutely flown and I am so grateful really is a family, walking together towards for everything I have learnt.” God.” Allison Nally Luke Bulley “An experience of limitless learning, “I have been a student of YTU and the expansive enough to never get to the end, University of Divinity for the last six years. within beautiful surrounds, and studying The experience has been rewarding beyond with peoples of diverse and interesting measure. The calibre of the teachers is cultures. Each lesson is an encounter with very high and the atmosphere is friendly; God.” I have made wonderful friendships. There Mel Fernandes is great flexibility as to whether to study in the evenings, during the day or in intensive mode. This was particularly helpful to me as I have needed to juggle work and caring responsibilities with my studies. What I have learnt in the course of my theological studies is invaluable. It has enriched me both personally and professionally.” Tiziana D’Costa 4 | Yarra Theological Union Entry Level Units at YTU 2020 NN1000Y | Introduction to Tertiary DM1330Y/8330Y | Introduction to the Studies in Theology Theology of Mission [Associate Professor Michael A. Kelly CSsR] [Fr Albano Da Costa SVD] This not for credit unit introduces students The unit will begin with the conceptual to the methods and skills needed to begin clarification of the terms mission and tertiary level study in theology. missiology followed by an analysis of the biblical foundations of mission and its BA1000Y/8000Y | Entering the world of the historical developments leading to the Old Testament: Survey and Method contemporary issues. [Dr Janina Hiebel] DP1001Y/8001Y | Foundations for Pastoral This unit is an introduction to the Old Practice Testament. It consists of a study of the history and geography of biblical Israel, as [Dr Barry Rogers] well as a survey of the literature of the Old This unit will explore two areas Testament and its formation. It includes an underpinning good pastoral practice: introduction to the contemporary critical human development theory, and methodologies used to explore biblical texts theological notions of the self. After and an application of these to specific texts. exploring theories of human psychological development, the unit will explore how BN1000Y/8000Y | Entering the world of we come to understand the self within a the New Testament pastoral setting. [Sr Glenda Bourke SGS, Dr Francis Otobo] DS1000Y/8000Y | Foundations for This unit aims to provide students with a Christian Spirituality comprehensive overview of the formation, socio-historical setting and literary forms [Dr Robyn Reynolds OLSH et al] of the New Testament literature. Whilst The unit addresses understandings of studying the various books of the New spirituality and various approaches to its Testament, students will be introduced to study (e.g. (i) historical, (ii) theological and contemporary methods of critical biblical (iii) anthropological). Traditional Christian interpretation. spiritualities, both apostolic and mystical are examined, as well as other selected CH1001Y/8001Y | A Survey of Early and spiritualities, including indigenous and eco- Medieval Church History (100-1450) spiritualities. The unit invites students to [Dr Matthew Beckmann OFM] relate the study of spirituality to their own personal contexts. This unit introduces students to modern skills in the discipline of history. It also DT1000Y/8000Y | Introduction to Moral introduces students to the broad sweep of Theology: The God I believe in is the God I church history from the end of the apostolic respond to era (c.100CE) to the first flowerings of the Renaissance in the mid fourteenth century. [Fr Philip Malone MSC] This unit explores the essential components CT1003Y/8003Y | Beginning with Jesus for understanding and appreciating Moral [Dr Ross Fishburn] Theology as a theological discipline, and its integration with other theological This unit introduces the study of theology, disciplines. Particular emphasis is given to its sources and methods, through the Covenant relationship: the human person study of Christology. It focusses on Jesus made in the image and likeness of God and Christ, his life and ministry, his death and transformed in the new life of the Risen resurrection, and the subsequent reflection Christ, and consequently on the principles of the Church on his identity. and processes for making responsible moral choices as a Christian in the context of everyday life.