Unit information: Community Placement (Trinity & Baptist College) in 2013/14

Unit name	Community Placement (Trinity & Baptist College)
Unit code	THRS11033
Credit points	10
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Reverend. Bill MacDougall
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The placement may take one of the following forms: 1. 2-3 hours a week are spent in the placement for a period of 10 weeks (one hour every 5 weeks is given to reflection with the supervisor); 2. a 2-week block (2 hours over that period will be given specifically to reflection with the supervisor). The placement is experientially oriented as a complement to the rest of the course. The student will make connections between the placements and other academic disciplines being studied. Secular agencies, sector ministries and overseas churches and agencies are used for the placement.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The module aims to:

1. enable the student to gain experience (either in the UK or overseas) in an area of ministry previously unfamiliar to them;
2. encourage thoughtful reflection upon that experience in relation to theology, faith and mission;
3. contribute towards the student’s development as a reflective practitioner.

By the end of the module the student will:

1. be able to observe and reflect on the placement experience, showing awareness of the theological and sociological issues raised;
2. have noted the personal issues involved during his/her time in the placement;
3. show evidence of integrating lecture room, personal study and placement learning, through the engagement of theory and practice.

Teaching Information

The student will attend the placement under the direction of the supervisor. S/he will keep a diary of each visit, observing what occurs, noting issues, and recording reactions. This will form the basis of supervisory discussion. Theological and social issues that arise will be recorded in the diary and pursued through the assessment and in other parts of the course. Critical thought, analysis of issues and theological reflection will be further supported by group discussion in college.

The unit will consist of approximately 30 contact hours in total.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment will be carried out by the supervisor in consultation with the visiting tutor, and with moderation by the tutor concerned, relating to the practical aspects of the placement.

S/he will write a report of the student's progress which needs to be satisfactory in order for the student to successfully complete this unit.

Summative assessment will be through a theological reflection on the placement, in the form of an essay (1,000 words) 50% and a written diary (1,000 words) 50%.

Reading and References

1. Badcock G.D., The Way of Life (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998)
2. Ballard P and Pritchard J., Pastoral Theology in Action (London: SPCK, 1996)
3. Bosch D.J., Transforming Mission (New York: Orbis, 1992)
4. Graham E., Transforming Practice (Oxford: Mowbray, 1996)
5. Green L., Let’s Do Theology (Oxford: Mowbray, 1990.
6. Leech K., Through our Long Exile: Contextual Theology and the Urban Experience (London: DLT, 2001)