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 analyse different aspects of society and problems encountered by the people by referring to the PNG context.

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 analyse 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 analyse 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.

This unit draws its contexts from the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992 and from the Encyclical “Laudato si” of Pope Francis, where the environment is presented as our common home we are entrusted to care for. The unit will help students build up their knowledge and deepen their understanding of the sustainable development and environmental issues experienced in the world of today. Thus, the students will be equipped with the necessary skills to become agents of change in dealing with environmental issues, and to inspire innovative creativity in different group activities to uphold environmentally sustainable development.

Contemporary gender, equity issues in PNG and other countries in relation to development constitute the main focus of this unit. The unit will examine cultural definitions of sex and gender, trends of change and recognition that equal participation of men and women is essential in national development. It will introduce different feminist theories and approaches in gender studies and explore the development issues as well as the different impacts these issues may have on them. Consequently, the unit will study the National Constitution, the National Gender Policy, Vision 2050 and evaluate gender in the family, community, at work, at the provincial and national level.

In this unit, students will gain proper knowledge and adequate skills required for working successfully with people in groups. They will be encouraged to reflect on their future possibilities and difficulties, study how people worked, applying the knowledge of different theories. They will explore the theory and practice of community development, with particular reference to the work of Paolo Freire, learn about community development work plans, and how to make and implement them. They will also examine the characteristics of an effective group leader and consider the processes involved when their work is completed at the end of their involvement.

This unit introduces the links between the purpose of youth works and the importance of their involvement in planning and implementing health programs related to youth. The main contemporary health issues faced by the young people, such as: nutrition, drug abuse, sexuality and reproductive health, are also studied and discussed. In the learning process students explore the need for proper alliances between health agencies and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and they learn about the differences between the principles of youth and social development work and those of health professionals and educators. Consequently, the students learn how to foster effective working relationships and about the different roles and responsibilities they have in the context of health.

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.

The unit draws together the major skills learnt in the management stream. Key learning concepts will include organization types, planning, and organizing, leading and managing major change projects. Students will study organizational theories; structures; leadership and management qualities; styles, change and developments. Identification of classical organizational theories and structures, their evolution over time and various management processes will constitute the learning interaction in this unit. Field excursion and observations will complement classroom interactions.