2015 Course Programmes
In 2015 Bishopdale Theological College will offer the following courses towards the Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Ministries degrees and the Diploma of Christian Studies awarded by Laidlaw College. Students new to tertiary study must enrol in the Diploma of Biblical Studies in the first instance. The Graduate Diploma in Theology is an option for those who already hold a degree and the Graduate Diploma (Ministry) is a further course of study available to theology graduates. All courses being offered by BTC in 2015 are 15 credits.
How Study Works
All courses require access to a computer with a CD-ROM and DVD drive, and for students to be able to communicate by e-mail and to access the Internet. An email account is provided and required by Laidlaw College for all formally enrolled students.
The purchase and reading of a course textbook is often required.
Tutorials held on campus are important to Bishopdale Theological College’s ministry. They are an opportunity to engage with issues and questions raised by the material being studied. Through discussion facilitated by skilled tutors and additional explanations provided by them, students are enabled to increase their theological knowledge and understanding.
Most courses specify a short assessment, an essay and an exam (or secondary essay) as the major components of assessment. These may be complemented by online postings in the Laidlaw distance learning mode. The expectation by Laidlaw College is that essays will be submitted electronically (we can assist in clarifying this process), but exams are handwritten.
For further details of all courses, please refer to Laidlaw College's 2015 CDL prospectus or contact the Registrar.
How much time will my study take?
Because individual students’ study skills and habits vary, we can only suggest ‘rule of thumb’ figures for how much time courses will take. However students should assume that ‘full-time study’ requires at least 40 hours study each week for the duration of each semester. These hours include the hours spent in tutorial.
The second rule of thumb is that each credit requires approximately 10 hours of study. Thus a 15 credit course requires 150 hours study in total, over the semester. In reality the actual study time required will vary from student to student and from course to course.
Please note:
BTC reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule courses which are undersubscribed as of the late enrolment date.
Application deadlines
Semester One Early Bird Wednesday 31st December 2014 (No fee)
Semester One Final Deadline Friday 30th January 2015 ( $50 fee applies)
Semester Two Early Bird Monday 1st June 2015 (No fee)
Semester Two Final Deadline Monday 22nd June 2015 ($50 fee applies)
Courses Offered in 2015
Semester One
2 March – 26 June 2015
Level 5 (Foundation) courses
BTC Nelson
101.515 Biblical Hebrew: Introduction (Intensive: 2-13 February)
104.515 New Testament Greek: Introduction (Intensive: 16-27 February)
115.515 Biblical Theology
140.515 New Testament: Introduction
301.515 History of Christianity: Early Church to Reformation
460.515 Internship – Journeying into Ministry
505.515 Theology and Praxis of Global Ministry
Wellington
140.515 New Testament: Introduction (Semi-Semester: 8 evening tutorials)
Level 6 and 7 courses
111.615 Biblical Interpretation
143.615/715 New Testament: Gospel of John
202.615/715 Theology: Christ and Revelation
204.615/715 Theology: Salvation in History and Beyond
307.615/715 History of New Zealand Christianity (Intensive: 23-27 February)
511.615/715 Contemporary Approaches to Pastoral Care
603.615/715 Cultural Anthropology
Greymouth
146.615/715 Israel in the Time of Jesus
Semester Two
20 July – 20 November 2015
Level 5 (Foundation) courses
120.515 Old Testament: Introduction
201.515 Theology: Introduction
401.515 Formation
Level 6 and 7 courses
BTC Nelson
102.615 Biblical Hebrew: Intermediate (Intensive: 22 June - 3 July)
105.615 New Testament Greek: Intermediate (Intensive: 6-17 July)
122.615/715 Old Testament:Pentateuch (Semi-Intensive:7 & 21 Aug, 4 & 18 Sep, 16 Oct)
203.615/715 Theology: God and Creation
270.615/715 Worldviews and Ways of Life (Intensive: 17-21 August)
302.615/715 History of Christianity: Reformation to Current Times
464.615 Internship: Leadership Dynamics
520.615/715 Formative Anglicanism as Missional Church (intensive: 13-17 July)
612.615/715 Majority World Theology
Wellington
146.615/715 Israel in the Time of Jesus (Semi-Semester: 8 evening tutorials)
Greymouth
403.615/715 Spirituality for Ministry
Courses which Bishopdale does not offer may be taken directly through the Centre for Distance Learning, which provides online tutoring.