Certificate in Theology

Course Credits: 36

This course enhances their common quest for seeking meaning in life. It is intended to provide the students with academic skills for an understanding of the Christian faith, history and doctrines. The course is designed to equip students for Christian mission through spiritual knowledge and practice. It equips and empowers students to go for mission of God as well as their advanced studies. This enables and prepares students to get involved in the social change through the ministry of Church.

The basic purpose Pre-Theology program to give students a foundation to biblical ethos and practice. It challenges in various ways for Christian mission and provide practical dimensions of ministry to interact with their neighbors and colleagues. It seeks to provide a thorough understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as presented in the gospel for the planting and developing churches in different parts in India.

Objectives

1. To equip and empower students to develop a life style of obedience and discipline
2. It helps students to grow spiritually and have relationship with God
3. To demonstrate  the basic understanding of biblical studies
4. To Prepare students for further integrative course

Program Requirements

Admission Requirements: Candidates for the Pre.Th must have completed the 10^th or its equivalent. The students who have appeared and awaiting results may also apply. But they must produce the certificate of successful completion before the culmination of the first semester.

Graduation Requirements: Along with the successful completion of subjects of the Pre.Th Course there are requirements integrated from any one of the workshops, weekly practical and holistic formations. These are evaluated under the guidance of particular in charge as per the philosophy of the program, they are as followed:

Workshop-1 (Media & Communication)

The 12 weeks of Media & Communication workshop is primarily focused in digital learning and effective communication of the gospel in Christian mission. Media and communication workshop intended to create a platform where learner benefits, finds people who are seeking truth, open for change in their lives and receive Christ. It involves more learning hours, and practical assignments. The weekly assessment method is followed as- Total point is 10: [A (10-9): Excellent, B (8-7): Very Good, C (6-5): Mediocre, F (4-0): Inadequate]. With the continuous assessment process learners will be provided a certificate of Media & Communication by Create Media School, Oellingen.

Workshop-2 (Health Promotion & Awareness)

The health promotion & awareness workshop is offered in 15 days of contact class within 6 months of time. It involves theory & practical hours. Assignments are allotted for the students during the course of workshop and required follow up. With the continuous assessment process learners will be provided a community health promoter certificate by Christian Medical College, Vellore.

Workshop-3 (Mission & Ministry)

The department of Christian mission and ministry collaborates with mission experts from both native & oversees and conduct this workshop. In this, the BIHER learners are required to have practical reflections and learning. The duration of the workshop is 2 weeks. It is more of peer learning & group discussion. It encourages participants to reflect their experiences in Christ with demonstration, drama, skit, etc. Group learning and various ideas are collaborated in presentation as per the nature of workshop. The last session evaluates assignments, discussion and demonstrations for final grade. The assessment method is followed as- Total point is 10: [A (10-9): Excellent, B (8-7): Very Good, C (6-5): Mediocre, F (4-0): Inadequate]. Finally learners are awarded with a certificate of mission & ministry.

Character Formation

The character formation is the part of holistic formation of BIHER. The candidate is evaluated by the discipline committee under the Warden. It evaluates the discipline and character of a student during the course of his or her studies. Each semester’s final assessment reflects the continuous evaluation of discipline and character. The final grade is produced as per all semester’s data of the candidate and finally credited in his/her course requirement.  The evaluation method is as such- Total point is (8×5) 40:   [A (40-32): Excellent, B (31-24): Very Good, C (23-16): Mediocre, F (15-0): Inadequate]. Overall average will be taken for the final grade.

Spiritual Formation

The Spiritual formation is the part of holistic formation of BIHER. The candidate is evaluated by the Spiritual affairs committee under the department of Spiritual affairs/ Chaplain. It evaluates the godly living and spiritual aspect of a student during the course of his or her studies. Each semester’s final assessment reflects the summative evaluation of spiritual life of the student. The final grade is produced as per all semester’s data of candidate and credited in his/ her course requirement. The evaluation method is as such- Total point is (8×5) 40:   [A (40-32): Excellent, B (31-24: Very Good, C (23-16): Mediocre, F (15-0):  Inadequate]. Overall average will be taken for the final grade.

Field Education:  Evangelism Practical

Along with the weekly evangelism practical there must be one month regular field evangelism report & grade is essentially required for the completion of Dip.Th course. It is intended to evaluate student’s skills of evangelism, interest of Christian ministry and mission. This is conducted under the supervision of a faculty coordinator and local pastor. Evaluation is done by local supervisor/ pastor and reported to BIHER’s practical department officer. The assessment method is followed as- Total point is 10: [A (10-9): Excellent, B (8-7): Very Good, C (6-5): Mediocre, F (4-0): Inadequate]. The submitted grade points qualify the particular candidate for graduation.

General Rubric

1. Evaluation procedure of frequent assessment (weekly assignments) is Continuous formative evaluation, it is in learning hours and facilitated by the educators.
2. Each unit marks must be comprehensive. Though internal understanding is 28 pass marks out of 70 marks, completion of each assessment with other alternate as per student’s level must be set by the educator.
3. There are A, B, C, F level of grade evaluation. A (advanced) this student’s work is consistently of a superior quality and represents performance that demonstrate ability to synthesize and evaluate information for application of variety of tasks. “A” work should be at a level that it could be displayed for other students to review and emulate. B (proficient) a consistently above average comprehension of the subject matter coupled with high quality oral and written communication skills. This student fulfil all the requirements outlined in the syllabus,  exceeding  some  and demonstrate abilities/ skills to apply knowledge learned on assigned tasks. C (Basic) the student only meets the minimum knowledge and comprehension level.  This student accomplishes only the nominal requirements of the program and displays minimal initiative. F is No credit. The 40 % of each set marks is counted as pass marks.
4. Incase major incompletion of the subject’s frequent assessments and unsatisfactory of educator must be informed in remarks column for the supplementary and course completion procedure set by BIHER.