Academic Programs

This unit provides a background of historical, social, political, religious and cultural information of the Jews under Romans in the time of Jesus. A comprehensive study of the formation of the Gospels leads to an examination of the origin, nature and theology of St. Luke’s Gospel and of the missionary activity of Paul in Acts. The birth of the early Church, the first missionary work of the apostles in Judea and Samaria, the crisis caused by the Gentiles entering into the Christian communities will be explored in the Acts of the Apostles. It enables students to gain insights of the synoptic gospels and the missionary activity of the Church. It will help students to critically analyze different aspects of society and problems encountered by the people by referring to the PNG context.

This unit serves as a basis for understanding the theory of social work as prerequisite to RS146 Foundations to Social Work. The students are given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with current theoretical frameworks for social work practice required for students to work-placement at the end of second year. This unit deals with a variety of issues the social workers confront when working with people in their different life situations. The unit adds to strengthen the program by enabling students to critically analyze various social work theories of the social work practices.

This unit is designed to enable students to plan and do practical pastoral catechesis with Church agencies or state schools in Papua New Guinea. It does deal with various approaches in learning and teaching in a classroom setting. Beside theory lessons on principles and methods of pastoral catechesis, students teach at a local provincial high school each week using praxis methods with Bloom’s Taxonomy which sets pace for practical application in the future related fields. Attention is given to learning and teaching techniques in presenting pastoral catechesis lessons. Christian principles and pastoral catechesis through the praxis, methodology and evaluation matrix will equip students to be productive in PNG Pastoral Catechesis is an integral part of the Social Work and Religious Studies bachelor degree programs.

This unit offers systematic study of the Church history and her gradual transformation from a movement to an institution up to 21th Century. By tracing this process, the students examine an overarching development of ideologies, systems of rule blended within the Church and gradual emergence of the state entity. The development of faith-life in the Middle Ages, European monasticism, the rise of papal power, conflicts and problems led to the schism of the Church in the East and West and to the Reformation. Students learn how the Reformation under the leadership of Luther, Calvin and Zwingli led to various consequences, on the religious, social, economic and political level. The critical response of the Catholic Church to the Reformation, evoked the changes in the Church awaking the missionary movements that ultimately brought the Church to the Pacific and Papua New Guinea.

The focus of this unit is the image of God the Creator from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The students are exposed into the gradual development of Jewish monotheism in the Bible within the polytheistic environment. They are guided to examine the transition from the forms of faith in synagogue, Shema and Decalogue to the understanding of ‘Oneness’ of God emerged during the Exile.  The students explore the themes of covenant, revelation and God proclaimed by Jesus as ‘Abba – Father’. Gradually they are introduced to the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity. The debate surrounding biblical creation and the theory of evolution enables the students to use different sources and to think critically. The knowledge and skills gained help the students realize animism and traditional beliefs in the context of PNG today.

This unit aims to equip the students with the knowledge to answer the fundamental question in Christology: “Who is Jesus Christ?” The unit takes fully into account two criteria: the historical Jesus and the risen exalted Christ, fully human and fully divine. The students become familiar with the historical Jesus presented from different perspectives: starting with the early church as the bridge between Jesus and his followers, Jesus’ own words and actions, the OT, Jewish background and the NT. While interpreting the evidences the students are encouraged to the critical investigation and discovery that the historical Jesus reconstructed by scholars is not and can never be the living Jesus of Christian faith.  The mystery of Jesus Christ, true God and true man, goes beyond human comprehension and can only be embraced with the grace of faith.

This unit aims to equip the students with the knowledge of the nature, function and place of the laity in the Church. The unit takes fully into account the work of laity in the Church; of both laymen and women. The students get insights on theology of laity, the Church’s priestly, kingly and prophetic functions, holiness and sanctification of lay people in the world. The students are encouraged to analyse and critic the work of the lay people within and outside of the Church as to realize their place in the Church and work for the Kingdom of God here on earth.

This unit focuses on the teaching of social justice in the Church which is a central and essential element of our faith in Christ. It is based on God’s special love for the poor as announced by the prophets and founded on the life and words of Jesus who identified himself with the poor and the last. It emphases on Biblical social teachings and major documents of the Church and is grounded on our understanding of human life and human dignity, that we are made in God’s image and share His social nature.  Our Christian vocation is to reach out and build relationships of love and justice with other Churches and other people. The major themes of the Church’s social teaching will be discussed in detail.  The students will also develop a personal perspective on how best they can contribute to solutions for the social issue of injustice and how effectively they can build society, particularly in PNG.

The aim of this unit is to equip students with knowledge and skills necessary to complete a sound

research project planned for and initiated in PG317 Research Methods. With the data

collected during fieldwork, this unit introduces to techniques of qualitative and

quantitative data recording, reduction, and analysis including research reporting.

The aim of this unit is to develop the capacity of the students to perceive the ways in which humans approach sickness, suffering and death and assist them to become more skilled in caring for those who are ill. The unit is twofold: a theoretical based approach and a practical industrial experience. The five stages of dying as developed by Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross are examined as one means to assist caring for the terminally ill. The students are introduced to the essential elements of clinical pastoral education and carry out visitations according to this framework. HIV/AIDS and mental illness are explained in the context of assisting both the affected person and their carers. An analysis of the role of the ecclesial communities in the care of the sick and terminally ill is also pursued. The Christian view of suffering and death are discussed to gauge a holistic understanding.

This unit presents a comprehensive picture of the nature of marriage and family life. It is designed to enable participants to critically reflect on and analyze the relationship between husband and wife and family issues and how to promote a healthy relationship. Hence, it will explore marriage in the Bible, family in PNG traditional and contemporary context. It will examine values of family life and human sexuality by exploring the role of the Christian family in the modern world and on love in the family. This unit enables students to gain insights into the unit analyzing the traditional and modern values of family life and the challenges facing families today and how they can be assisted by various agencies.