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A deeper engagement with Christian Scriptures and teachings
This flagship theology course offers intellectually rigorous, interactive, and accessible learning.
While Exploring Theology is a two-year course, it is designed so that students can join in at any time.
Year A focuses on Exploring the Bible, serving to equip students with knowledge and tools to read and encounter the Scriptures faithfully and fruitfully in their own lives. Year A is comprised of three terms which provide introductions to both the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and the New Testament and then a third term on the various ways in which we read, interpret, understand, and make meaning of the Bible.
Year B focuses on Exploring Christian Belief, which serves to help students see the bigger picture in relation to developments and themes within the Christian tradition. Year B is also comprised of three terms, focusing on exploring Christian history of belief, modern developments in theological conversations and issues, and then the final term considers the practicalities of living in Christian faith and ethics.
‘I loved this term and can’t wait for the next one. It gave all of the depth and challenge that I’ve been looking for, but I also feel like you dug up a few of the paving slabs of my faith; which is never a bad thing.’
‘The Exploring Theology Course is wonderful – inspiring, thought provoking and transformative. A real landmark on my spiritual journey.’
‘The quality and level of expertise and experience of critical research amongst the lecturers is just so impressive. I felt very privileged to have access to a wealth of interesting and talented people.’
‘I find Exploring Theology intellectually stimulating and spiritually rewarding in that my views of spirituality have broadened considerably.’
— Exploring Theology student feedback
Find out more
Exploring the Bible and Exploring Christian Belief
The Autumn term of Exploring Theology begins on 26 September and kicks off a new Year A on Exploring the Bible, serving to equip students with knowledge and tools to read and encounter the Scriptures faithfully and fruitfully in their own lives. Two terms offer introductions to both the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and the New Testament and then a third term on the various ways in which we read, interpret, understand, and make meaning of the Bible.
The year order is not fixed so you can start with either year, and do the other the second year. If you wish to write an essay to get an educational reference or take your learning further, see details below. Administration for essays is arranged separately.
Please contact the programme leader Alison Webster if you have queries about the curriculum or course structure.
The Exploring Theology Experience: Course details & schedule
Exploring Theology participants are always very varied in their professional and personal experience, as well as any religious commitment they have (or not as the case may be), and that variety is welcomed.
The teaching team for each term consists of both Sarum College staff members and external tutors whose expertise relates to the topic of the week.
The College Library is a very valuable resource for students, and a discounted membership is available for those who sign up for a full term of Exploring Theology (or you are entitled to a free membership if you sign up to write essays (see below).
All registered participants are given access to SarumLearn, the online learning portal, where a discussion forum will be hosted, recordings and Zoom links shared, and reading/handouts available in advance. Students who wish to have hard copies are responsible for printing their own learning materials.
The cost of each term is £95, which includes 10 weekly sessions. If you wish to write an essay to get an educational reference or take your learning further, see the section below for details. Administration for essays is arranged separately.
After registration and payment, you will receive details on how to access SarumLearn where all readings will be available as well as links to live and recorded sessions. Live online sessions are held via Zoom.
The weekly sessions will run according to the following schedule:
1) Each lecture will be presented on Tuesday evenings online via Zoom. Lectures will start promptly and will run from 7pm to 7:45pm. Each lecture will last no more than 45 minutes. The Zoom link for each session will be available on SarumLearn.
2) We take a break between 7:45pm and 8pm. The Zoom room remains live during the break.
3) We reconvene at 8pm for the discussion session. The format will be as follows:
— 8pm to 8:20pm: Q&A with the tutor based on their pre-recorded lecture;
— 8:20pm to 9pm: Immersive Textual Reading & discussion. During this part of the session we read and discuss the assigned primary source text which is made available before the lecture on SarumLearn.
Each session is recorded and a link to the video is posted the following day (Wednesday) for those who wish to watch it for review.
The class ends by 9pm.
Optional Essays
‘Doing the written work [for Exploring Theology] enabled me to dig deeper, learn more and undergo degrees of transformation in my thinking and my faith. It’s been revealing, inspiring, transformative.’
In practice most students come to Exploring Theology each week in order to share the experience of exploration and reflection without putting anything on paper, but some appreciate the opportunity to take their learning further and do more, are looking for a soft entry into further academic work, or are in need of an educational reference. Doing essays as part of your Exploring Theology learning allows students to do just that.
If you opt to write the essays, the course handbook details essay options, resources, guidance and marking criteria. Each term, a shorter book review (max 1,000 words) is followed by a longer essay (max 2,000 words).
For this additional £95 per term, you also receive:
- Membership of Sarum Library for the whole academic year (£30 for others on Exploring Theology).
- Marginal and summative comments on each essay, and a mark commensurate to first-year undergraduate marking criteria.
- One-to-one tutorial (30 minutes).
- Access to essay-writing and study skills sessions
- A graded Sarum Certificate upon completion of twelve essays, or transcripts of marks upon request.
- An educational/academic reference, usually following four or more essays.
Contact the programme leader, Alison Webster, for all essay enquiries.