THE PACIFIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
Serving the people of the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,
Fiji, French Polynesia, Irian Jaya, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue,
Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu, Western Samoa, and American Samoa.
INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH & SOCIAL ANALYSIS
Suva, January 2016
SOCIAL ANALYSIS TRAINING
What is Social Analysis?
“Social Analysis is the effort to obtain a more complete picture of a social situation by exploring
its historical and structural relationships. Social Analysis serves as a tool that permits us to
grasp the reality with which we are dealing.”1
Social Analysis explores the reality on different levels. Sometimes Social Analysis is focused on
isolated issues such as unemployment, poverty. But Social Analysis tries to look beyond issues –
ultimately the focus is on SYSTEMS.
There are different dimensions to the term system. We can analyze systems at the level of the
nuclear family, village, district, state, region or the global world.
Social Analysis Training Intensive Workshops
The course introduces Social Analysis as a practical tool for linking faith with Justice, Peace &
Development issues. In relation to the variety of old and new social problems in the Pacific
Islands the following will be covered:

Why the churches, government and CSO groups must be concerned about social issues.
1
Joe Holland and Peter Henriot, Social Analysis, Washington D.C., Dove Communications and Orbis Books, 1988,
p. 14.
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
Attention will be focused on developing a practical methodology for social analysis,
different models of social change and development, and a range of possible pastoral
responses.

Participants will be challenged to reflect critically on specific economic, political,
religious and cultural contexts in the Pacific Islands, and to design own strategies for
social action.

Exploring the different facets of poverty by exploring the causes of poverty and how
governments, civil society organizations and churches respond to poverty.

Examining critically globalization in all it diverse forms of world-wide
interconnectedness. Such interconnections include beside economic ties, political ties,
cultural ties, and social ties and need to be understood in terms of how they operate in
conjunction with one another. Special attention will be given to the impact of
globalization on politics, economics and trade, culture and religion and the environment
in the Pacific Islands.
Course Objectives

To increase the capacity and level of skills for participants for the core staff and coworkers of churches and organizations the area of Social Analysis, by introducing a
practice oriented methodology for social analysis, different models of social change and
development, and a range of possibilities to get engaged in social action.

To explore the biblical and theological foundations for Social Justice – Social Analysis –
and Social Action;

To provide participants with tools and methods in order to enable them to analyze and
understand social problems deriving from their economic, cultural, social and political
context;

To

To sharpen the consciousness for the importance of a social awareness and social action;

To learn to reflect critically on the specific economic, political, social and cultural
contexts
of
participants;

To enable the participants to develop/design strategies for social action in a given
context.
enable
participants
to
develop
strategies
to
address
these
problems;
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Method of Delivery
The course will be run as a workshop, using adult experiential learning methodology. Our
training is also participatory. We use a variety of methods based on action learning principles
such as case studies, group work, role play and peer support. This is complimented by
presentations on relevant theoretical frameworks and emergent thinking and trends.
As an interdisciplinary course facilitators from different disciplines will deliver different
components of the workshop.
Enrollment (Two Options):
The training may be taken either for professional development or for academic credit as an
Undergraduate Certificate in Social Analysis.
1. Academic Credit
For academic credit (Undergraduate Certificate in Social Analysis) participants have to attend
two blocks of two-week intensive workshops. Please note that participants who take this option
will have to successfully complete specifically designed assignments for assessment within three
months after having taken part in the respective intensive course.
2. Professional Development
Participants who take the option of professional development have to attend either one or two 2week intensive workshops offered in-country (depending on needs of participants).
Admission Requirements:
The admission requirements for those taking the programme for academic credit are;


A SPATS accredited Diploma in Theology or its equivalent, or
A university entrance qualification (completed secondary school year 12/13)
The admission requirements for those taking the programme for professional development are;


A SPATS accredited Diploma in Theology or its equivalent, or
A university entrance qualification (completed secondary school year 12/13)
OR

3 years working experience within the Church or other related relevant organization.
For more information please contact:
Professor Manfred Ernst (Director)
Institute for Research & Social Analysis
Pacific Theological College
Private Mail Bag
3
Suva, Fiji Islands
Ph: +(679) 3301 360 (Work), 3301728 (fax), + (679) 9962057 (Mobile)
Email: irsa.director@ptc.ac.fj
Internet: www.ptc.ac.fj
OR
Anna Anisi (Program Manager)
Institute for Research & Social Analysis
Pacific Theological College
Private Mail Bag
Suva, Fiji Islands
Ph: +(679) 3301 360 (Work), 3301728 (fax), + (679) 8374675 (Mobile)
Email: anna.anisi@ptc.ac.fj
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