Studying Theology in Tallaght

Onesimus

Hey all, never been to Tallaght, whats the best, cheapest and easiest way to get there from connolly station? I posted it here with the idea that some of ye might know. Feel free to move it if you so wish to do so. *thumbs up*

Ush1

Onesimus wrote: »

Hey all, never been to Tallaght, whats the best, cheapest and easiest way to get there from connolly station? I posted it here with the idea that some of ye might know. Feel free to move it if you so wish to do so. *thumbs up*

Wrong place to post this really but you can get the Luas from Connolly to The Square.

Onesimus

Ush1 wrote: »

Wrong place to post this really but you can get the Luas from Connolly to The Square.

Got any kind of timetables? Sorry if I posted it in the wrong area, but I did so with the sole intention of hopefully getting someone who is studying down that way also.

lmaopml

Good luck with the study Oneismus. Here's a timetable for the Luas..

http://www.luas.ie/timetable.php

Don't get lost in Tallaght now..lol.. know where your headed after the final stop at the square...:pac:

Onesimus

Thank you Lmao, I've never even got the Luas before, my goodness, I sound like a hermit who has never seen any of the world, whether or not thats a good thing or bad thing I do not know, taking into consideration the mess its in today :pac::D

philologos

Onesimus, wishing you the best with the study I never even knew that they taught Theology in Tallaght.

Onesimus

Jakkass wrote: »

Onesimus, wishing you the best with the study I never even knew that they taught Theology in Tallaght.

Thank you Jak, Its for my Bachelors so I've got a long five years ahead of me. I havnt studied in donkeys years and I'm frightened of the essays/assignments. Just been reading through the student guidlines book on writing them, I'm terrified. Its an ecumenical Study with the Priory Institute. I've never done anything like this before so I'm praying that God will give me the unmerited grace to put my hand to the plough and not look back. First two modules are introduction to Theology and Introduction to scriptures, and although it can be taken one at a time, I've decided to do both concurrently.

Fanny Cradock

There should also be buses running from town to the college. They should be marginally cheaper that the Luas. Dublin Bus do a variety of ticket types and it's worth checking them out to see if you can save some cash.

If you go to this link you will see the ticket types listed and also a route planner.

I went to college after a number of years away from formal education and it took a little while to get up to speed. But you will be flying before you know it! I would say it likely that the first year is going to be the most difficult - you will be imbibing a lot of new information, adjusting to the rigours of academia and getting settled in new surroundings.

Essays are actually a great way to learn and they can be quite fun - something I had never before associated with education. My advice to you when approaching any essay or assignment is to research loads (you'll get the hang of picking out relevant chapters or sections), use a liberal amount references in your work and always proof read your work. Ideally you should get someone else to read it for you, especially if they are better at grammar. In my case that person turned out to be my mother :pac: You will be surprised how many points go towards getting the basics of the English language correct.

Fanny Cradock

I forgot to mention that there is an Education Forum on Boards. You might find some useful advice there.

Onesimus

Thanks Fanny, I'm just not a City man is all, and I get confused when in Dublin or any City for that matter. I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time I'm a nervous wreck, I suppose being nervous is a good thing, keeps me on my toes, for if I didnt care and was relaxed about it, I could have a tendencie to fall into slothfulness and do rubbish at my studies. :D

Thanks for the tips, I'm gonna go to bed now and have a lovely sleepless night thinking about it all, please sing a psalm or two for me when you get the time. I need plenty of prayer.

Ush1

Where in Tallaght are you studying theology?

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

Ush1

Ah right. Must be the priory in Tallaght village. Didn't know they thought any kind of courses there.

kelly1

I did the first module of the theology course (Intro to theology) in the Priory Institute and the next one I've signed up for is Scripture. Looking forward to it.

Onesimus

kelly1 wrote: »

I did the first module of the theology course (Intro to theology) in the Priory Institute and the next one I've signed up for is Scripture. Looking forward to it.

How did you find it Kelly1? was it difficult for you to delve into or grasp at first glance? I'm terrified *biting nails*

How long did your first essays have to be? and how long was your final essay such as 3000 words 1000 words etc etc?

lmaopml

Onesimus, my sister is studying at the Priory at the moment, she took on two modules, I proof read her assignments for her, because she just took me completely by suprise with her choice to do so, and she sparked an interest too if I am honest, and cause she is my sis, and I give my very important opinon to her lol..

Generally, during her first year, she found it difficult to get into answering an assignment in so many words etc. and just getting back into the whole thesis thing, and unfortunately it just depends on the assignment topic and tutor as to how many words are involved..

..believe me the hardest part is counting em, cause she insists on using long hand!!

You know, I think after she highlighted everything she wanted to include, the problem was narrowing it down and making it more concise! Opening and closing is most important....The body is important too, but it should be clear and leading....

I would recommend having the assignment complete in your mind, and a plan made before starting. Even if you plan it on paper, it gets easier and easier to do with practice...not to mention it limits constant editing, and losing vital parts! Have it highlighted, and understood as to how much emphasis you place on individual passages/points, that pertain to the 'topic' itself...

Don't just delve in, but plan it and leave time for a decent opening, middle and particularly end to your thesis..

Very best of luck! It's a really big thing to take on, but it means a lot if you have a genuine curiosity and understanding... and most of all, enjoy it!

Onesimus

Lmao you have no idea how your post was a pure breath of fresh air and a bit of relief to me. Did she write her introduction last? they say that its a good idea to do that.

lmaopml

I think she wrote at first exactly how she 'felt' and what stood out to her in particular, which is always worth merit cause it's not textbook stuff, it's personal and 'new' to anybody reading through..........and then she got used to editing to reign in her enthusiasm..lol..! It's no harm to plan your project or thesis, and to take notes before delving in, as to the opening, middle and closing.....although sometimes it's difficult not to delve in ...

It's a learning curve. It's definitely interesting though, and there is no 'right' way...

Do it your way, but 'plan' a little to avoid over editing....because you lose so much if you have to over edit. Make your notes first!..and you only need to edit your delivery when you read through..

She's flying now, but she did find it difficult at first to get settled in - I mentioned she used 'Long hand' so no wonder, she would have found it more difficult!! Yikes, God bless MS Word or even Notepad!

kelly1

Onesimus wrote: »

How did you find it Kelly1? was it difficult for you to delve into or grasp at first glance? I'm terrified *biting nails*

How long did your first essays have to be? and how long was your final essay such as 3000 words 1000 words etc etc?

Hello, the biggest difficulty for me was finding 8 hours per week to study. I didn't find the material itself difficult to understand. The first assignment consists of 3 1000 word essays and the 2nd assignment is a 3000 word essay. I found it quite difficult to get it in on time but managed it.

Onesimus

kelly1 wrote: »

Hello, the biggest difficulty for me was finding 8 hours per week to study. I didn't find the material itself difficult to understand. The first assignment consists of 3 1000 word essays and the 2nd assignment is a 3000 word essay. I found it quite difficult to get it in on time but managed it.

Thank you both, how was your grades Kelly1? do the tutors explain to you the reason why you get such grades?

kelly1

Onesimus wrote: »

Thank you both, how was your grades Kelly1? do the tutors explain to you the reason why you get such grades?

I got an average of around 67% which apparently isn't too bad. The examiners had no bad comments to make but they seem to mark hard for the first year.

Onesimus

Lmao and Kelly, what books would you recommend buying to help with the course? or do you find that its all there in the text and its a waste of money ( with the reading room and having the Library) to bother buying books?

kelly1

Onesimus wrote: »

Lmao and Kelly, what books would you recommend buying to help with the course? or do you find that its all there in the text and its a waste of money ( with the reading room and having the Library) to bother buying books?

Which module are you doing?

Onesimus

kelly1 wrote: »

Which module are you doing?

Intro to Theology and Scripture concurrently

kelly1

Onesimus wrote: »

Intro to Theology and Scripture concurrently

For the introduction to Theology, you need McBrien

I haven't started scripture yet but I believe Jerome's Biblical Commentary is the standard reference.

Onesimus

kelly1 wrote: »

For the introduction to Theology, you need McBrien

I haven't started scripture yet but I believe Jerome's Biblical Commentary is the standard reference.

Thanks Kelly1... I have the Ignatius study Bible that has a lot of commentaries. I dont have Mc Brien though. Any chance you could tell me what the course content for Intro to Theology Module involves? that would make it easier for me to study ahead of my time.

kelly1

OK, topics are as follows:

Unit 1

Early Christian Theology (Apostles, Creeds and Councils)
Scholasticism and the Reformation
Modern and Contemporary theologies
Doing Theology today (Overview of the types of theology)

Unit 2

Theology of Vatican II
Theology of Liberation
Feminist Theology
A Theology of "The Powers" (Walter Wink)

Unit 3

Questions (Christ, the Church, Foundation)
Finding answers
Theological Tradition
Experience and Reason
Measuring our answers

Unit 4

The question of God (Human search, concepts of humanity, philosophical concepts of God, Religious concepts of God)
God as Trinity (Three persons, Biblical foundations, doctrine, councils and controvery)
Councils
Philosophical influences
Creation (The Word, salvation history, The Trinity, Christ Redeemer)

Unit 5 - Morality

Nature of Morality
Moral theories
Moral synthesis
Christian Morality
Human moral response
Fundamental moral perspectives
Moral absolutes
Social morality


Unit 6 - The Church

Nature and meaning of the Church
Second Vatican Council
Models of the Church
The biblical background

Unit 7 - The sacraments

Sacraments in General
Sacraments of Initiation
Sacraments of Healing
Sacraments of Vocation


That it!

Onesimus

Thanks Kelly1, Did you find that the ''distance learning'' book that they give you prior to the launch day of the actual module to be of some help to you? also how long did it take you to read the actual module text itself for intro to Theology in its entirety?

marty1985

Sounds really interesting.

I'm 25, I graduated about 2-3 years ago from something completely unrelated, but I daydream about going back and doing a course like this. I will look into it, but don't know if it's feasible for me. I'm not living in Ireland at the moment, but I do intend moving back next year. Might not be able to afford it, and wouldn't be sure what I would do once I finished, but I do feel like it might be what I'm "supposed" to do, if you get my meaning.


Onesimus once you have the interest in the subject and the desire for knowledge everything else will come naturally, so don't worry.