Academic year 2025/2026
Overview
This modular distance course is designed for those who want to study in Tigrigna and are interested in Tewahedo Orthodox theology and tradition. It contains four modules: Church History I, Church History II, Patrology and Ecclesiology. The teaching takes its point of departure in the participants’ current knowledge. If deemed appropriate, the teacher may divide the group into beginner and advanced groups.
Learning Approach
At Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola, the overarching principle that guides learning is that all knowledge is intersubjective.
Knowledge is dialogue, which requires humility and empathy.
This program is built on collaborative and dialogical learning where participants actively shape not only their common learning journey but also the courses themselves. The content, materials, and methods will be adapted in real time based on participants’ needs, interests, and input. Beyond mastering subject matter, a central goal is for each participant to become aware of how shared learning experiences and dialogue transforms their thinking, practice and identity. Through dialogue, narrative, group discussions, shared reflection, creative expression, and collective exploration, participants develop awareness of their own growth while supporting others’ development. The learning community becomes a space where everyone’s experiences and questions not only enrich understanding but actively guide the direction of the course, helping each person to integrate learning into their own life context in meaningful, personally transformative ways.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the participants are (individually and collectively) expected to be able to:
- describe key events in early church history and discuss their significance for faith today;
- discuss current challenges facing the Orthodox Tewahedo Church, connecting historical context with participants’ experiences in different communities;
- explain how important Church Fathers contributed to doctrine, relating their ideas to contemporary questions;
- share personal perspectives on the Church while reflecting on how cultural background and life experiences have shaped these views; and
- Document how their relationship with Church tradition has been transformed through collaborative learning, showing how group discussions have helped them connect historical teachings with their own faith journey.
Other requirements
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to participate in all course activities, both by being present and playing an active role in scheduled sessions and by completing assignments outside of scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may be required to complete extra assignments to fulfill the learning outcome requirements of the course. For the course to be considered complete, 80% attendance and participation are required.
The Deans Council revised the syllabus on February 26 and March 18 2025.
