Academic Programmes: Bachelor's
Bachelor of Arts in Language and Culture
This is a three-year residential degree. Admission requirements are matric/high school diploma. This course is offered jointly by the Department of Ancient Studies and the Department of Old and New Testament.
Aims of programme
to equip students with an advanced knowledge of the source languages and literature of the Bible,
to provide them with an overview of the geography and knowledge of history and cultural milieu of the world of the Bible,
to guide them towards the interpretation of the source text of the Bible in terms of a coherent exegetical model,
to introduce them to current developments in translation studies that are relevant to Bible translation as a process of communication,
to equip them with the knowledge and skills to optimally use existing information sources and electronic tools in order to make informed decisions in the process of translation,
to provide them with a sound background in the interpretation of ancient culture and
to provide them with a basic background in English and general linguistics.
Audience
The audience of this program is primarily users of the Bible who are involved in the interpretation, translation and/or publication of Biblical texts.
Entrance requirements and qualifications
Matriculation exemption.
General structure and content
Biblical Hebrew I, II, III (including exegesis of the OT and Bible translation),
Greek I, II, III (including exegesis of the NT and Bible translation),
Ancient Cultures I, II
General Linguistics I
English Studies I and Applied English Language Studies II
Information science I (introduction)
Contact Prof Christo van der Merwe for more details.
E-mail:
cvdm@sun.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0) 21 808 3655
Bachelor of Theology
The BTh degree is a three-year programme which trains students particularly as youth workers, service workers, counsellors and community workers.
The programme includes modules on the subjects Old Testament, New Testament, Contextual Hermeneutics, Dogmatics, Ethics and Church History, Homiletics, Youth Ministry, Missiology, Community Development, and Pastoral Care. Students may choose to specialise in Youth Work.
Target groups
This three-year degree programme in Theology is aimed at denominations that do not require Hebrew and Greek for theological training. Though not required, Hebrew and Greek may be taken as elective modules.
Apart from general theological training, it is also possible to specialise in a specific field such as Youth Work.
Programme-specific outcomes
A theological-hermeneutic understanding of the religious texts, such as the Bible, that make addressing cardinal questions of life and death possible.
An understanding of the dogmatic doctrines that may have a constructive impact on cardinal questions of life and death.
The ability to function as a leader in different faith communities.
The ability, as cultivated by the specialisation in Youth Work, to develop suitable ministries for pre-school and primary-school children, as well as for adolescents.
Programme structure
The BTh programme is presented full-time and spans a period of three years. Although Hebrew and Greek are not compulsory, they may be taken as electives.
Besides a theological core curriculum, certain non-theological electives are relevant for training of community ministers, leaders in religious communities, such as youth workers, and people rendering service to those in need.
General BTh
First year:
Minimum requirement 126 credits at HEQSF 6:
88 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
6 credits:
compulsory Information Skills module
32 credits:
elective modules in Theology or Arts and Social Sciences
Second year:
All students except Anglican students: Minimum requirement 128 credits at HEQSF 6:
56 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
72 credits:
elective modules in Theology or Arts and Social Sciences
Anglican students: Minimum requirement 128 credits at HEQSF 6:
64 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
64 credits:
elective modules in Theology or Arts and Social Sciences
Third year:
Minimum requirement 132 credits on HEQSF 7:
56 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
76 credits:
elective modules in Theology or Arts and Social Sciences
BTh with specialisation in Youth Work
First year:
Minimum requirement 130 credits at HEQSF 6:
88 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
6 credits:
compulsory Information Skills module
36 credits:
compulsory Psychology and Sociology modules
Second year:
All students except Anglican students: Minimum requirement 128 credits at HEQSF 6:
96 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
24 credits:
compulsory Psychology and Sociology modules
8 credits:
elective modules in Theology or Arts and Social Sciences
Anglican students: Minimum requirement 128 credits at HEQSF 6:
104 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
24 credits:
compulsory Psychology and Sociology modules
Third year:
Minimum requirement 132 credits on HEQSF 7:
112 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
12 credits:
compulsory Sociology modules
8 credits:
elective modules in Theology
The number of credits specified above must be viewed as the minimum requisite number of credits. Students are free to follow more credits than the specified minimum, as far as the timetable allows for this.
An overview of the programme
The three-year BTh programme does not require Biblical Languages and therefore allows for a wider choice from Theology and Arts and Social Sciences. A distinction must be made throughout between the core curriculum and the elective modules that can be taken in both Theology and Arts and Social Sciences. Please note as well the distinction made between the general BTh programme and the BTh programme with specialisation in Youth Work.
For more information visit the undergraduate programmes webpage of the Faculty of Theology. See also the Faculty of Theology Yearbook.
Bachelor of Divinity
The four-year BDiv degree focuses on training for church ministry, specifically ministers.
The programme includes modules on the subjects Old Testament, New Testament, Contextual Hermeneutics, Dogmatics, Ethics and Church History, Homiletics, Youth Ministry, Missiology, Community Development and Pastoral Care. Some churches require students to include the two original languages of the Bible, namely Hebrew and Greek, as well as a South African language besides the mother tongue.
Target groups
The BDiv programme offers professional theological training to denominations requiring Hebrew and Greek as part of their theological training. This programme is aimed at students who want to prepare themselves for the ministry, to become religious leaders in society and to offer aid to people in need.
Programme-specific outcomes
Extensive, systematic and integrated knowledge of all theological disciplines, bearing in mind the Bible in its original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).
The principles and theory of theological hermeneutics.
The nature and functioning of the church.
Determining the context of ministry.
Communication of the Christian message.
The ability to point out the applicability of the Bible in the Southern African context.
Insight into the way in which perceptions of human dignity influence value systems.
The ability to develop 'n contextual theory of practice about how faith communities should function within their own set of circumstances.
Knowledge and understanding of other faith traditions, especially in Africa.
Programme structure
The BDiv programme is offered full-time and runs for four years. The Biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek) are assumed on different levels, depending on denominational preference. Students must acquaint themselves with the requirements for Biblical languages set by their specific denomination.
At present the Dutch Reformed Church requires two years of study of Greek and Hebrew.
At present the Uniting Reformed Church requires one year of study of Greek and Hebrew, as well as one year of training in a South African language besides the student’s mother tongue, e.g. Afrikaans, English or Xhosa (see language modules offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences).
The compulsory core and elective modules for every year of study must be noted. Information regarding the BDiv curriculum (as phased in in 2012) for the fourth year, which will be phased in in 2015 , may be obtained from the Faculty of Theology directly.
Elective modules in the second and third year provide for a measure of specialisation with the research assignment in the fourth year, and also the research for the MDiv in view.
First year:
Minimum requirement 142 credits at HEQSF 6:
88 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
6 credits:
compulsory Information Skills module
48 credits:
compulsory Arts and Social Sciences modules
Second year:
Dutch Reformed Church students: Minimum requirement 160 credits at HEQSF 6:
96 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
64 credits:
compulsory Arts and Social Sciences modules
Anglicans students: Minimum requirement 128 credits at HEQSF 6:
104 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
24 credits:
elective modules in Theology or Arts and Social Sciences
All denominations except Dutch Reformed and Anglican students: Minimum requirement 128 credits at HEQSF 6:
96 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
32 credits:
elective modules in Theology or Arts and Social Sciences
Third year:
Minimum requirement 144 credits on HEQSF 7:
96 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
48 credits:
elective modules in Theology or Arts and Social Sciences
Fourth year:
Minimum requirement 144 credits on HEQSF 8:
144 credits:
compulsory Theology modules
An overview of the programme
Although the BDiv programme does not include any elective modules in the first year, provision is made for elective modules in the second and third year. In the fourth year students must complete a substantial assignment (48 credits) in any of the six theological subdisciplines.
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