Postgraduate Subject Synopses

Subject Synopses

This subject is an introduction to the philosophy, theory, methods, techniques, tools and ethics of research.  There is a particular emphasis on a Christian epistemological and ontological basis for research, as well as research approaches and issues in South Pacific contexts. Students will become fluent in the format standards of research, putting all these skills into practice in the preparation of a research proposal for a thesis or project. A secondary purpose of this subject is to model quality research and then to familiarise students with the process of presenting research (both verbally and in writing), at a standard acceptable to the critical review of both peers and academics.  The seminars include a mixture of lectures by selected faculty on research related topics, support on managing the research and writing process, and presentations by the students based on their own research (proposals, research findings, analysis and conclusions/recommendations).

The thesis is supervised research, equipping the student to meet rigorous research standards and to contribute to scholarship in the relevant field. While it involves original and independent research it is first and foremost a learning experience: learning the skills of research and exploring a topic in depth. The thesis will be between 10 000 and 20 000 words in length. 

This subject is an introduction to the philosophy, theory, methods, techniques, tools and ethics of research.  There is a particular emphasis on a Christian epistemological and ontological basis for research, as well as research approaches and issues in South Pacific contexts. Students will become fluent in the format standards of research, putting all these skills into practice in the preparation of a research proposal for a thesis or project.

Students are provided with a bibliography related to their research topic and are required to do 3000 pages of reading from that bibliography. The subject guides students to build up skills in summarising, reviewing and synthesising the extant literature related to a particular research topic. Students will also be required to explore how a Biblical perspective informs the topic.  (Appendix 8)

The purpose of this subject is to model quality research and then to familiarise students with the process of presenting research (both verbally and in writing), at a standard acceptable to the critical review of both peers and academics.  The seminars include a mixture of lectures by selected faculty on research related topics, support on managing the research and writing process, and presentations by the students based on their own research (proposals, research findings, analysis and conclusions/recommendations).

The thesis is supervised research, equipping the student to meet rigorous research standards and to contribute to scholarship in the relevant field. While it involves original and independent research it is first and foremost a learning experience: learning the skills of research and exploring a topic in depth. The thesis is approximately 40,000 words in length. 

This subject explores ways of nurturing the flock, paying attention to the stage of the life cycle.  Scriptural principles will be compared with current research to maximise a vibrant spiritual community and to minimise apostasy.  The course will also consider the theological understanding of the new birth, conversion, baptism, and the ingredients of growth in the Christian life both theological and sociologically.

An in-depth study from the pastoral perspective of selected issues having to do with the spiritual development of youth from birth to thirty years of age, with primary emphasis given to high school-aged youth and young adults.  In particular, the reciprocal effects produced by the interaction of youth with such elements of their environment as home, church, and society are examined for their potential impact on the fostering of that spiritual development.

Scripture challenges the follower of God to be engaged in the worship of the Creator and Redeemer as a regular function of life.  This subject explores not only a theology of worship but also some of the pragmatic realities of differing musical tastes, reaching all age groups, and allowing worship to become a unifying factor in otherwise divisive situations.  Private worship, small-group worship, and public worship will all be considered, underscoring The Focus of Worship – God Himself.

This subject furnishes the student with a rigorous working knowledge of strategic planning with an adaption to ministry. Through an exploration of the biblical basis for leadership and strategic organisation, and by engaging in reflective thinking, students discover principles and processes of strategic planning and operation that are effective in their local environment.  Full coverage of strategic planning theory and practice, with analysis of the differences between commercial and not for profit organizations, equips a pastor or administrator to create and work effectively with a plan of their making. The subject explores the importance of the leader’s attitudes being in harmony with a biblical model and emphasises how servant leadership impacts the effectiveness of a faith community leader.

This subject explores the biblical and practical principles of stewardship with a focus especially on financial accountability in the Pacific context.  The onus is on developing resource people who understand the biblical principles of stewardship and financial accountability and are able to not only practice them at “higher” levels of church administration, but also teach pastor and lay people at the local church level how to apply them.  Consideration will be given to such practical aspects as personal budgeting skills, the ability to read church financial statements, ensuring accountability and the smooth and honest flow of the church’s funds through the various levels of church organisation.

Exploring a philosophy of service that details the church’s response to community challenges/issues, e.g. AIDS, poverty, drug abuse etc. Areas covered will include: caring as a reflection of God's character, caring for one another in the New Testament context, the correlation between caring and value, and caring between the church and the community.

 The insights of anthropology are applied within the context of the Gospel Commission to enable its agents (both laity and ministry) to be more effectively involved in the cross-cultural communication of the Gospel. Consideration is given to world view discovery, missiological case studies, the history of mission, and the broader discipline of missiology.

This subject introduces ministers and administrators to basic applied research skills. Understanding how to utilise research to improve ministry and administration, to collect, analyse and interpret church and organisational statistics (such as church growth or tithing) and to undertake basic programme evaluations are the focus in this subject.

This subject covers development theories and their influence on development research and compares and contrasts the outcomes of research with development practice. It also covers development issues arising from development research and practices and the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify research objectives, gather data, analyse finding and organise and present research information addressing these within the development context.

This subject covers professional networking approaches utilising communication, negotiations, gaining information and relationship building in the contexts of both the workplace and partnerships in development. This is undertaken from the perspective of creating solutions to unpredictable problems through analysis and evaluation of information from a variety of sources. It also covers performance skills, outcomes and knowledge required to prepare, deliver and review a presentation on a range of concepts, ideas and logistical back up that is required for effective presentations to a target audience. This subject also covers community engagement.

This subject covers the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage low complexity projects, develop operational plans for a department/section/team and develop strategies for organisational groups. Attention is given to planning and acquiring resources, and providing performance reports for effective management. Special emphasis is placed on partnership arrangements in the design and delivery of development programs. This subject also covers governance principles in the development industry.

This subject covers professional workplace relationships, managing effective teams, and leadership. Specific emphasis is placed on ethical behaviour, standards of conduct, promoting teamwork, influencing others, conflict resolution, transitioning from individual contributor to team leader and influencing team culture. The subject also covers leadership styles and leadership theories. Leadership in a local community setting is covered, with emphasis placed on workplace safety.

This subject is an introduction of the philosophy, theory, methods, techniques, tools and ethics of research. There is a particular emphasis on a Christian epistemological and ontological basis for research, as well as research approaches and issues in the Pacific context. Students will become fluent in the format standards of research, putting all these skills in to practise in the preparation of a research proposal for a thesis or project. Students will be required to present Development Topics in the form of graduate seminars.

The thesis is supervised research, equipping the student to meet rigorous research standards and to contribute to scholarship in the relevant field. While it involves original and independent research it is first and foremost a learning experience: learning the skills of research and exploring a topic in depth. The thesis is approximately 20,000 words in length.