Course Descriptions

Collected 2005 course descriptions for Houghton Down Under, the semester program of Houghton College in Australia in collaboration with Kingsley College, Melbourne.

Australian History

An overview of Australian history that also (a) fosters understanding of the role of the Christian church in the development of the nation; (b) analyzes the critical personalities, events, and issues that shaped Australia; (c) examines the influence of American culture, contrasting the development of the church in the United States and Australia; and (d) builds sound principles of historical and historiographical research and presentation.

Australian Literature

Studies the diversity of Australian literary traditions and texts in light of Australian critical approaches, such as post-colonial theory and other cultural studies models. Examines the ways texts represent and critique images, voices, and archetypes of Australian people, land, and culture. Topics may include: the bush, settler-colonialism, Aboriginal peoples and ethnic minorities, national values and cultural identity, the role of women, and responses to progress and modernity.

Life in the City

The theme of urban mission as related to the sociology of city life is developed. Focuses on evaluating and understanding the multitude of problem areas in a modern city. Analyzes ministry to urban problems. The course is linked to a service learning activity in the city.

Doctrinal Epistles: Romans, Galatians and Hebrews

Exegetical analysis seeks the primary doctrinal themes of each book in the context of first century Judaism and the Jewish character of the infant Christian Church.

Christianity and Postmodernism

Study of the relationship between Christianity and the phenomenon known as postmodernism. Students are given the opportunity to develop a Christian worldview through critical engagement with contemporary currents of thought. Examines the task of theology in a postmodern context and practical implications for the life of the church.

Missions in Biblical and Theological Perspective

An examination of the biblical foundations of missions. The course will explore the extensive Old Testament roots of missions and their New Testament development. It will build a biblical view of culture, worldview, the nature and function of the church, and other relevant topics. Attention will be paid to the application of appropriate principles of biblical theology, exegesis, hermeneutics, and contextualization and to the development of a diachronic approach to scripture.

Engaging Australian Culture

As part of the Houghton in Australia semester, students will explore some aspect of Australian culture each week in a setting outside the classroom. This course provides academic structure for cultural engagement in ways that complement and supplement classroom courses, including travel, cultural events, and discussions with Australians.