University of Oxford, Faculty of Theology
Bachelor of Theology and Certificates in Theology
Examiners’ Report
Long Vacation 2012
Section A: General Report
Qualification
Completing
candidates
Continuing
candidates
Bachelor of Theology (BTh)
6
37
Certificate in Theology (CTh)
5
11
Certificate for Theology Graduates (CTG)
0
3
Numbers sitting in each of the papers:
Paper
Title
Seated
exams
Long
essays
A1
Old Testament A
0
0
A2
New Testament A
0
0
A3a
Foundations of Christian Thought
0
0
A3b
Development of Christian Life and Thought
0
24
A4
Christian Witness and the Contemporary World
0
29
B1
Old Testament B
0
1
B2
New Testament B
5
4
B3
Biblical Interpretation
0
6
C1
Christian Doctrine
0
2
C2
Church History
0
3
C3
Ecclesiology
0
3
C4
Study of Theology
0
1
D1
Mission and Ministry
0
3
D2
Christian Ethics
0
0
D3
Christian Worship
0
6
D4
Christian Spirituality
0
6
E1
Christian Mission
0
2
E2
Christian Faith and Other Religions
0
1
E3
Christian Faith and Philosophy
0
1
E4
Christian Faith and Science
0
1
E5
Christian Faith and Social Sciences
0
1
E6
Christian Faith and Psychology
0
2
E7
Canon Law
0
0
E8
Confessional Study
0
0
E9
Special Subject
0
5
5
100
Total submissions
1
* = Greek translation exam
68 candidates were entered for the Trinity examinations for the BTh and the associated
Certificates, of whom 11 students were completing their studies for an award – four did
not submit entries in this round and transferred to the Certificate from the BTh to take
an exit award. There was work of a very high quality submitted together with the
expected range across the grades.
The examinations process functioned very smoothly. There were very few irregularities
in the paperwork associated with the submission of essays (e.g. unsigned title forms,
and only one occurrence of an OSS number instead of a candidate number). On the
recommendation of the external examiner last summer, a new pro forma had been
prepared which asked examiners to provide reasons for the agreed mark. This had been
used in nearly all cases and proved helpful for him. It was also pointed out that not all
candidates follow the recommended stylesheet, which might be noted to course
directors.
Although I recommended a separate code last time, there is still a need to distinguish
between one and two-year CTG – however, since no candidate was completing this did
not matter this time. One other administrative issue is the problem of the New
Testament papers where candidates are allowed to enter for the Greek part of the paper,
but can opt during the examination to take the English texts – this creates problems
because the entry codes are different. It seems an unusual practice to decide on which
examination to take whilst actually writing it, and this matter should be referred to the
NT tutors for comment.
Because of staff illness an arrangement was made for a temporary Administrative
Assistant. I am very grateful for all her help and efficiency through the examining
process.
At the examiners’ meeting a number of questions were raised for further discussion by
both the Faculty Moderator and External Examiner. Some specific comments were made
about aims and objectives of particular papers, which were to be raised in the External
Examiner’s report (esp. A4, D1, D3 and B3) and would be passed on to the Supervisory
Committee. More important was a question of research ethics relating to the use of
questionnaires and anonymity. The Chairman of Examiners alerted the particular essay
to the External and immediately after the meeting the Standing Committee of the
Supervisory Committee produced a policy and alerted the Faculty. The Handbook has
been amended and students have been alerted to the potential issues emerging from
this.
The Chair of Examiners records his thanks to the examining team: Dr Mark Edwards
(Faculty Moderator), Dr Will Lamb (External Examiner), Dr Matt Kirkpatrick, Dr Larry
Kreitzer, Dr James Robson, Dr David Heywood and Dr Robin Ward. The assessors who
assisted the examiners all turned around their material to deadline.
It was agreed at the Examiners’ Meeting that next year prizes should be awarded after
the November session when those completing over the two sessions would be
aggregated. The examiners would be recommending the award of a prize for the best
performance in part one.
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
Dr
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M Chapman (Chair)
M Edwards (Faculty Moderator)
M Kirkpatrick
L Kreitzer
W Lamb (external)
JE Robson
R Ward
D Heywood
Section B: Subject Reports, where there are more than three candidates
A3b: Development of Christian Life and Thought
There were 24 candidates for this paper, equally divided between submissions in
patristics and reformation.
The overall standard was very good or better, with a large number of papers marked in
2.1 or higher. The average mark was 68.66%, and most essays were clustered in the
upper 60s. In general the candidates had chosen their essay titles sensibly and had not
attempted too much. Large numbers showed that they could handle primary texts and
showed impressive amounts of reading.
A4: Christian Witness and the Contemporary World
There were 29 Candidates for this paper.
The generic grade descriptors for A4 look for an essay ‘structured around concepts’ for a
first class. One of the key skills in practical and pastoral theology, however, is to be able
to discern the extent to which theological concepts apply to specific areas of practice and
the way in which specific areas of practice may instantiate or indeed challenge
theological concepts. This requires a wider range of cognitive skills than the writing of a
concept-structured essay, but these skills are essential for the practice of ministry.
Tutors should notice that the grade descriptors look for the use of ‘examples’ for a first
class and ‘attributed examples’ for a 2.1 and should encourage candidates to integrate
specific and relevant experience with theological understanding wherever possible.
In the case of candidates who chose titles in the field of Christian apologetics the
examiners noticed a tendency to treat Christian faith as if it were purely a matter of
assent to a set of propositions and the main challenge of post-modernity centring around
concepts of truth. It is important that candidates choosing one of the titles in apologetics
recognise that many see Christian faith as embodied in patterns of relationships and sets
of practices and sees doctrinal propositions emerging from a deeper level of truth
residing in these relationships and practices, an insight which it shares with postmodernity.
B2: New Testament B
There were twelve candidates for this paper, eight of whom did the written exam and
four of whom offered long essays. Six of the candidates who did the written exam chose
Greek gobbets and two did English gobbets (one of whom changed from Greek to English
on the day of the exam). The gobbet section on Hebrews was studiously avoided. The
average score was 64; the mean score was 63/64. There was a narrower range of essay
questions selected in this exam round than in previous years. All eight candidates chose
a Pauline question with four candidates answering on the gospel of John. No one
attempted exam questions on Hebrews, Luke-Acts or Revelation. Interestingly four
candidates answered Question 10 which provided a range of answers on Lectures/Books
which have influenced them during the year.
B3: Biblical Interpretation
There were six candidates for this paper, all of whom offered long essays. The average
score was 58; the mean score was 64/62. Several of the candidates produced essays
which would have been better suited for the B2 rubric, which inevitably meant that the
wider biblical interpretation component suffered as a result. A better balance of how OT
and NT passages fit together would have helped some of the essays, particularly those
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ostensibly dealing with both Testaments as they pursue a theme or topic; there was a
tendency to short change the OT in favour of the NT (something which was also
demonstrated in Bibliographies).
D3: Christian Worship
There were 6 entries, all by long essay
The essays showed a range of marks, averaging 59.3.
There was a clear division in the papers marked between one third of the candidates who
achieved a first class mark and the rest who were either in the lower second class or just
over the line for a 2.1. The best work showed commendable engagement with primary
texts and good critical skills; too many of the weaker entries failed to show an
appropriate breadth of knowledge or the capacity to engage with historical context and
the complex character of contemporary practice.
D4: Christian Spirituality
There were 6 entries by long essay
The essays showed a range of marks, averaging at 62.83. The weaker essays were more
anecdotal and failed to engage in sufficient depth with the spiritual tradition, while the
stronger displayed a clear analytical abilities and engagement with the tradition.
MC/2 February 2013
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