Overview
The course is an introduction in English to the teaching and life of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. The overall purpose of the course is to offer to the participants an opportunity to both deepen their theoretical and practical knowledge of their Church’s teaching and life, and to develop their ability to reflect on, explain and talk about what they have learned. This course consists of four modules. In each module there will be an examination.
Introduction to theology
- Biblical studies: Introduction to the Scripture and its place within the Church
- Church history and Patristics: An overview of the history of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and her Fathers.
- Dogma: introduction to the dogmas of the faith such as the Trinity and the Incarnation,
- Liturgics: introduction to the liturgical life and practice of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will have:
- ability to describe and reflect, individually and together with other participants, on the early church and the emergence of the Syrian tradition and the context in which it emerged
- understood and reflected on the Fathers’ theological contribution to the Syrian tradition and their relevance for today
- demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of the liturgical life of the Syrian Orthodox Church
- developed an ability to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Sweden now and in the future, based upon the experiences of the participants
- recognized the most important sources of the Syrian tradition and describe their relevance for today
Requirements
Students are expected to participate in all course activities, both by being present and playing an active role in scheduled course sessions, and by completing assignments to be done outside of scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may be required to do extra assignments in order to fulfill the participation requirements of the course. 80% attendance and participation (including completion of assignments) are required for the course to be considered to have been completed.
Additional Information
Disposition of 50 % course on distance
Details of lessons, participation in discussions and contact with the teacher and other participants take place primarily through the teaching platform Canvas.
You will have two evening lessons each week.
The first evening will be related to the specific subject that you have chosen – you will participate in the class and participate in discussion with your teacher and other participants in the course.
On the second evening, you will participate in an open lecture where you and all the participants within the Syrian Orthodox seminary participate and discuss important subjects within the Syrian Orthodox Church and society today. In this lesson you will have a significant influence on which subjects and discussions will take place. You will also, together with your fellow participants, present and actively defend your perspectives and solutions to questions that are raised. Within folkbildning teaching takes place not only between teacher and student, but also between student and teacher and between student and student. We learn from each other and together as a group. You will be encouraged to do the various assignments that you will be given together with other participants in the course. You will also have access to material, your teacher and other participants through the Canvas platform outside of the scheduled lessons. Your active participation is vital for the course!
If a course has a low number of participants you will be offered a place in another course within the seminary.
