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Theology Summer School

Overview

Download Course Joining Notes .

• A two-week residential programme for clergy, theologians, teachers of religious education and lay people with an interest in theological study at University level
• Exploring the theme of 'Faith in Action'
• Seminars taught by members of Oxford's Theology Faculty, prominent church figures and distinguished theologians
• Plenary keynote lectures given by leading scholars in the field

Description

The Oxford University Summer Programme in Theology is the only university course of its kind in Oxford. The overall theme of our summer school this year is “Faith in Action”. Some seminars will look at the practical issues that confront us in faith today: the current economic situation; how to be Church in a global society; the role of religion in the public square; how to be in dialogue and relationship with other faiths; what a theology of social transformation might look like; whether we can still believe in the soul; the relationship between theology and prayer; and the distinctive place of social engagement within Buddhism. Other seminars will look at how faith has been put into action across the history of Christianity: in the ‘little’ traditions in Christian spirituality, such as the Amish and the Quakers; in monasticism in both the East and the West; in reading the Bible; and in the role of the visual arts in developing medieval theology. As always, the primary focus of our learning is from a Christian perspective but we are always happy for the sharing of a range of perspectives, and people of all faiths and none are welcome to participate in the summer school. We welcome you all. We also look forward to eating and talking together in Christ Church’s dining hall, captured on celluloid in the first Harry Potter film, and there will be the opportunity to worship together regularly for those who want to do so.

Programme details

In each week participants will work in two seminars, one in the morning (09.00-12.00), and the other in the afternoon (13.30-16.30). Seminars will normally contain a maximum of 20 participants. Those attending both weeks of the programme will be able to participate in four seminars. The seminar programme itself will be held at the University’s Examination Schools, a 19th-century building about a five-minute walk from Christ Church on the city's High Street.

Additional Information

A list of places of worship and service times will be provided to participants on their arrival in Oxford. Members of the programme are invited to worship together once each week at a service they have themselves devised.

Certification

• All students who satisfactorily complete the programme will receive an `Attendance Certificate`.
  (Please note that, as the University of Oxford does not offer credit, those wishing to obtain credit from their home institution for attending this programme must make appropriate arrangements with that institution in advance.)
• Students of the Graduate Theological Foundation should consult the Provost for further information.

Contact Hours

The programme provides a minimum of 26.5 contact hours per week, comprising:

• hours of seminar meetings (12.5 per course)
• 1.5 hours of lectures (1 lectures lasting c1.5 hours)

Participants will have access to the Continuing Education Library.

Computing Facilities

Internet access is available in the Junior Common Room at Christ Church for reading/sending emails and browsing the Web. Please be aware that there are no printing or word processing facilities available to participants.

Level and demands

Who is it for?

• Members of the clergy
• Theologians
• Teachers of religious education
• Lay people with an interest in theological study at university level
• Although the direction of the summer school is essentially Christian, religious leaders and members of other faiths will be warmly welcomed as participants

This is an intensive programme of study taught at Masters level to an informed international audience, and applicants should be confident that they are academically and linguistically prepared for such a programme.

Non-native speakers of English are required to submit evidence of their English language competency with their application (IELTS 6.5 or proof of an equivalent level of competence).

Participants are expected to:

• undertake preparatory reading in advance of the programme
• attend all lectures and relevant seminar sessions
• be actively engaged with their seminar topics

Accommodation

Participants who choose to be resident on the programme will have a single study bedroom in Christ Church. They will take breakfast and dinner in the college dining hall; participants make their own arrangements for lunch.

A very limited number of rooms have private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet) and these are available for an additional fee. Most are single rooms but a few are twin-bedded (ie contain two single beds). These are on the main site and in an annex across from the main entrance to college. Early application for these rooms is essential.

Accommodation preferences should be indicated on the application form, with a note of any mobility problems.

Participants cannot be accommodated at Christ Church either prior to or beyond their programme dates. Family members and/or friends who are not enrolled on this programme cannot be accommodated in college.

Participants who choose to be non-resident on the programme are responsible for finding their own accommodation. Information on accommodation on Oxford can be found on the Internet at: www.visitoxford.org. Demand for accommodation in Oxford during the summer months is high. Please note that the non-resident fee includes dinner in Christ Church every evening.

Disabled Students (including those with Mobility Difficulties)

The Department`s aim is to treat all participants equally and welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Individuals` needs are taken into account as far as possible, providing reasonable adaptations and assistance within the resources available. We ask that people let us know of any disability or special need (confidentially if required) so that we can help them participate as fully as possible.

When applying for the Department`s college-based summer programmes, prospective participants with mobility difficulties or visual or hearing impairments may want to make preliminary enquires to the Programme Administrator, as the age and layout of these colleges often makes them user-unfriendly (although adaptations are often possible). Oxford, as an ancient city, tends to be difficult to navigate for people with disabilities. The number of very old buildings, designed in an age less sensitive to issues of disability, makes access to much of the city centre difficult. However, the Department will do as much as it is able to make study with the Department possible.

Participants should contact us if they will need a bedroom on the ground or first floor, or if they will have problems gaining access to a teaching room located on upper floors or to the Dining Hall (accessed via two flights of stairs).

Payment

Fees

• Resident in Christ Church - 990 GBP per week
  Fees include tuition; 6 nights accommodation, Sunday-Friday; dinner, Sunday-Friday; breakfast, Monday-Saturday
• Non-Resident - 705 GBP per week
  Fees include tution; dinner at Christ Church, Sunday-Friday
• Supplement per week for a single bedroom with private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet) - 160 GBP
• Supplement per week per person for a twin bedroom with private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet) - 80 GBP

Applicants will then be required to pay the full fee within 30 days of the invoice date. Please note that if enrolments are confirmed after 15 May 2010 students will be required to pay the full fee within 14 days of their invoice date. Places will not be held for applicants whose fees are not paid in full by the due date - in no circumstances will students be admitted to the programme unless all fees have been paid in full.

Refunds

If you wish to cancel you must inform the Programme Administrator in writing.

The following cancellation policy applies in all cases:

• all cancellations received prior to 15 June 2010 - Oxford retains 100 GBP administration fee; other fees will be refunded
• all cancellations received between 15 June and 1 July 2010 - Oxford retains 60% of the fees paid
• all cancellations received after 1 July 2010 - no refund.

In that no refunds are offered after 15 July 2010, applicants are very strongly recommended to take out vacation cancellation insurance, and should consult their travel agent and/or insurer for information and advice. Please note that OUDCE does not provide any insurance cover.

Alteration or Cancellation of a Course by OUDCE

Oxford University Department for Continuing Education reserves the right to alter details of any course should illness or any other emergency prevent a tutor from teaching, and to cancel a course or seminar if exceptionally low enrolment would make it educationally unviable.

The status of courses will be reviewed on 15 April 2010. If it is likely that a course may be cancelled, all those enrolled on that course will be notified in writing within seven days, and possible options clearly explained.

If students have not heard from OUDCE by 22 April 2010, they should assume that their course will be running; there is no need to contact us to confirm. They are recommended to delay finalising their travel arrangements until after this date.

Modules in this programme

The following modules can be studied as part of this programme:

• Theology (12)
• Theo10 Wk1 AM: Being Church in a Global Society
• Theo10 Wk1 AM: The `Little Traditions` of Christian Spirituality
• Theo10 Wk1 AM: The Use and Abuse of the Bible
• Theo10 Wk1 PM: Can We Still Talk about the Soul
• Theo10 Wk1 PM: Church Teaching and the Visual Arts in the Middle Ages
• Theo10 Wk1 PM: Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi: Theology and Prayer
• Theo10 Wk2 AM: Buddhism and Social Engagement
• Theo10 Wk2 AM: Mammon`s Revenge: Theological Reflections on Global Crisis
• Theo10 Wk2 AM: Religion in the Public Square
• Theo10 Wk2 PM: Christianity Among World Religions: Conflict and Comparisons
• Theo10 Wk2 PM: Monasticism East and West
• Theo10 Wk2 PM: Theology and Social Transformation