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DR1581: INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY (2026-2027)

Last modified: 2 Days, 12 Hours, 25 Minutes ago


Course Overview

What do Christians believe? Why do they believe it? Can it (despite everything!) possibly be true? And if so, what difference does it make? Taking an 'insider's view' of Christian belief, this course asks what it means to think and to speak Christianly--about God, Jesus, creation, religion, human community and responsibility, death, life and other little things.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Philip Ziegler

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2 or Certificate In Theology or () or Diploma In Theology

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course will introduce students to the essential elements of historic Christian belief as summarised in the ancient creeds of the church. It will introduce students to the nature and practice of theological reflection by examining the central tenets of Christian doctrine in their historical context and contemporary iterations. Critical reflection upon the doctrines of God, creation, the person and work of Christ, the Spirit, and the nature and mission of the church will be central concerns.

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2025 for 1st Term courses and 19 December 2025 for 2nd Term courses.

Summative Assessments

Final Take Home Examination

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Final Take Home Examination (2 questions x 500 words), worth 40% of the overall grade.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseTo develop capacities to read and analyse complex and historical texts.
ConceptualRememberTo build up a working vocabulary and understanding of the technical language of Christian theology.
ConceptualUnderstandTo formulate and explore questions related to the historical and contemporary significance of Christian doctrines.
FactualRememberTo become acquainted with and understand the central tenets of historic Christian faith as these are set forth and exposited in the teaching of the ancient creeds of the church.
ProceduralApplyTo develop capacity for the articulation of complex ideas and argued judgments in both writing and oral exchange.
ProceduralUnderstandTo recall, summarize, and construct arguments engaged with core Christian doctrines.

Three 500-word Reflective Tutorial Assignments

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Three 500-word Reflective Tutorial Assignments, worth in total 60% of the overall grade.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseTo develop capacities to read and analyse complex and historical texts.
ConceptualRememberTo build up a working vocabulary and understanding of the technical language of Christian theology.
ConceptualUnderstandTo formulate and explore questions related to the historical and contemporary significance of Christian doctrines.
FactualRememberTo become acquainted with and understand the central tenets of historic Christian faith as these are set forth and exposited in the teaching of the ancient creeds of the church.
ProceduralApplyTo develop capacity for the articulation of complex ideas and argued judgments in both writing and oral exchange.

Formative Assessment

Practice Reflective Tutorial Assignment

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Formative Practice Reflective Tutorial Assignment - to be completed and returned before Week 6.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseTo develop capacities to read and analyse complex and historical texts.
ConceptualRememberTo build up a working vocabulary and understanding of the technical language of Christian theology.
ConceptualUnderstandTo formulate and explore questions related to the historical and contemporary significance of Christian doctrines.
FactualRememberTo become acquainted with and understand the central tenets of historic Christian faith as these are set forth and exposited in the teaching of the ancient creeds of the church.
ProceduralApplyTo develop capacity for the articulation of complex ideas and argued judgments in both writing and oral exchange.

Resit Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralApplyTo develop capacity for the articulation of complex ideas and argued judgments in both writing and oral exchange.
ProceduralUnderstandTo recall, summarize, and construct arguments engaged with core Christian doctrines.
ConceptualRememberTo build up a working vocabulary and understanding of the technical language of Christian theology.
ConceptualAnalyseTo develop capacities to read and analyse complex and historical texts.
ConceptualUnderstandTo formulate and explore questions related to the historical and contemporary significance of Christian doctrines.
FactualRememberTo become acquainted with and understand the central tenets of historic Christian faith as these are set forth and exposited in the teaching of the ancient creeds of the church.

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