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The Cracking of Christendom: Histories and Theologies of the Reformation (CH2100Z/CH3100Z/CH9100Z)

Overview

 In the early modern period, European culture and belief underwent several seismic shifts, with individuals, and the movements they sponsored, involved in deeply committed debate and conflict about matters of faith. This unit examines theological debates of the sixteenth century Reformation in Europe and their ongoing impact in western societies and churches, with particular attention to the implications for contemporary Australian experience. Students will explore the understandings of grace, salvation, sacrament, scripture, authority and church order using key texts and artefact and their producers with a focus on the relationship between theological, historical and geographical contexts in shaping new forms of Christian identity and practice. This unit is taught collaboratively across several colleges of the UD, with specialists who highlight the diversity, complexity and commonality of perspectives across the Christian tradition.

Assessments

  1. Source Analysis. Weighting 35%. Source Analysis of a text or object in the light of Reformation theology

  2. Blog. Weighting 35%. Students write five blog entries of 300 words each (totaling 1500 words) reflecting on the events and themes of the Reformation at points of key change from the perspective of a Reformation character. Individual blog posts may be revised before submission of all five posts as a single document.

  3. Essay. Weighting 30%. Essay integrating theology and history

Teaching & Learning Plan

This subject will involve:

  • One on-campus 2 hour lecture per week

  • One on-campus 1 hour tutorial per week

  • Online preparation & reading 2.5 hours per week 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the historical and theological context of the doctrinal controversies of sixteenth-century Europe and their ongoing impact;                             

  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution, manifestation and impact of at least one doctrinal controversy;

  3. Describe the relationship between foundational documents and/or individuals and the ongoing development of particular Christian denominations;

  4. Reflect on the experience of religious change through this period from the perspective of at least one individual

Aboriginal Cultures and Spirituality (IS2002M/ IS3002M/ IS9002M)

Overview 

This unit is designed for students who wish to learn about Aboriginal cultures and spirituality in both its ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ versions. The unit will introduce students to the key language, concepts and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and spirituality. It will also contrast these ways of doing and seeing life with that of the dominant Australian culture. Some work will be done on the status of Aboriginal cultures and spirituality in some Aboriginal forms of Christianity.

Assessments

1.      Oral Presentation. Weighting 30%

A 20-minute oral presentation via Zoom, followed by a class discussion led by the presenter, both reviewing the reading set for a particular topic. A written version of the presentation to be submitted one week after the oral presentation is given.

2.      Critical Review. Weighting 20%.

A written review of one of the books or TV episodes set for the unit, critically assessing the capacity of the work to creatively engage traditional culture from a contemporary standpoint.

3.      Essay. Weighting 50%.

An essay or multimedia presentation reflecting critically on the ways in which contemporary Aboriginal culture and spirituality is both different to, and continuous with, older traditions. The unit guide will provide further information. 

Teaching & Learning Plan

This subject will involve:

  • One Intensive week at St Francis College from 21-24 July 2025

  • Online preparation & reading 2.5 hours per week 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe the key concepts at play in traditional Aboriginal culture and spirituality.

  2. Articulate the ways in which contemporary Aboriginal forms of spirituality engage with colonial influences.

  3. Analyse the ways in which contemporary Aboriginal life is both continuous with, but also different to, traditional ways of life

  4. Articulate ways in which Aboriginal culture might be helpfully seen as a gift to wider Australian culture and spirituality.


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We acknowledge all First Peoples of the land on which live, walk and work. We honour them and their Ancestors for their survival, continued traditions and spiritual connection to and caring of country, land, sky, water and sea. We pay respect to their Elders past and present and will continue to support their right to self-determination. We are committed to Reconciliation and respectfully recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded.