BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Organization
The Romanian Bible University (RBU) is an interdenominational university in Romania, offering advanced theological training, graduate and postgraduate degree programs. Under the authority of the president, the academic dean along with the faculty, provides leadership in the development, implementation, operation and evaluation of the institutional- wide educational process. Ultimate governing authority over policy and direction of the university resides under the supervision of the University Senate.
Aim
Romanian Bible University is an interdenominational center for higher education, exists to provide theological studies meant to prepare men and women for Christian ministry and challenge them to develop spiritually, intellectually emotionally, and culturally in order to serve God and their fellows.
Brief History
Romanian Bible University is an interdenominational school providing university theological training for people belonging to different denominations: Pentecostal, Baptist, Charismatic, Evangelical and Independent churches.
Romanian Bible University was founded soon after the events in December 1989, reflecting the general need to know the truth about a God whose existence had been denied for such a long time during the communist years.
In this circumstance, God used Dr. Ceuţă for a great purpose He wanted to accomplish. He laid on his heart the vision to start a school meant to prepare church leaders and missionaries capable of teaching others on how to live in harmony with their Creator, with themselves and with other people. In fulfilling this vision, God also used men like: Bobby Beard, Ronald Dudley, Tom Paino, Samuel Johnson, George Ray, David Tonn, David Midwood, Steven Allen, Jack Strom, Craig Mathison,Ted Oprea etc.
Romanian Bible University is a theological school aiming towards excellence in academic training and Christian ministry. It is evangelical by its mission statement, interdenominational by the diversity of students attending, and international by the professors and students with different nationalities. Moreover, it is practical, by the close connection between teachers, students and churches and by the missionary trips and pastoral training made during church services.
THE COURSE
Essential qualities and attributes expected of graduates
Students are expected to live and act in a way that reflects the Christian
character of the institution where they are studying. They are expected to behave with integrity in their dealings with other students, with members of the faculty and with the churches with which they come in contact. This integrity is expected to apply in the realm of personal relationships, finance and academic study. Through this integrity, and the practice of Christian charity, they are expected to maintain the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” within the Christian community of which they become a part.
Students are also expected to be open to the ideas, theories, arguments, disciplines and discourses of academic life in an institution preparing them for a degree in the 21st century. This degree will mirror the globalisation of knowledge – and they will be privileged to hear speakers from many parts of the world during their time at the Romanian Bible University – and their modular structure of modern credit-bearing courses. They are expected to master an extensive literature ranging from commentaries to documents from church history. They are also introduced to expressive and communicative experiences and are expected to become communicators themselves through training in homiletics and hermeneutics and by opportunities to practice their skills before live congregations and church groups.
A graduate from this course will have acquired a variety of specific and general skills. Specific skills will include the ability to reflect critically on texts, a balanced historical perspective, language acquisition and hermeneutical awareness. More generally, the graduate will develop IT skills, communication skills, inter-personal skills, and cross-cultural awareness.
Summary of course
Length: 3 years, full-time.
Pattern of attendance: Students are required to attend all lectures, seminars etc. relevant to the modules they are taking, as well as a variety of non-academic activities (e.g. Chapel Services). This involves attendance at the seminary, usually for 5 days each week, for 30 weeks each year (2 fifteen-week semesters).
The course comprises the normal 360 credits, 120 in each of three years.
Rationale
The need to train men and women for interdenominational ministry has been recognized in the last decades.
In the new millennium, there is a greater emphasis on interdenominational ministry, and even worldwide leaders are crossing their denominational barriers for the purpose of working together for the kingdom of God. Over the last few decades, leaders have developed the kingdom mentality and not the strictly denominational mentality. Accepting students and professors form different denominations, the Romanian Bible University is fitting perfectly in this context.
Aims and learning outcomes
In preparing our aims and outcomes, we have been guided by the Quality Assurance Benchmarking statements for Theology and Religious Studies degrees in the UK.
The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Applied Theology is to provide a solid theological education, which would prepare the students for entering different ministries in the Church and to teach Christian religion inside and outside the Church establishment. It will introduce students to personal research in the areas of instruction through the courses the seminars and the assigned theological research papers. The degree also serves as an introduction to later personal study. A wide range of courses is taught in the major fields of theology: Biblical Exegesis, Systematic Theology, Church History and Practical Theology.
The set of general principles according to which the Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Applied Theology Program is designed, is called Aims and what is expected from the student to be able to do at the end of each level of the program is described in the Learning Outcomes. The course aims and learning outcomes enable the student and the teaching faculty to concentrate on the goals for learning at each level as the student progresses through the degree.
Aims:
The aims of the Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Applied Theology are:
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To provide multi-disciplinary curriculum informed by the research and scholarly activities of the teaching faculty.
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To develop in students a critical understanding of theology through a range of learning and teaching activities.
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To equip the students with the skills necessary to interpret primary and secondary sources and to make available appropriate language instruction where feasible.
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To help students progress through their program by providing effective academic and pastoral support.
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To equip the students for a variety of Christian ministries through subject specific knowledge, active engagement in their own learning and the development of analytical and other transferable skills.
Learning Outcomes change from level to level as follows:
- On successful completion of Level 1, students will have
a). acquired a foundation for their study of Bible and theology,
b). started to examine critically primary and secondary sources,
c). started to implement good practice in research paper writing,
d). started to develop group work skills and confidence in formulating arguments orally.
- On successful completion of Level 1 and 2, the students will have
a). developed areas of particular interest in their study of Bible and applied theology,
b). started to identify strengths and weaknesses of different interpretations,
c). developed their research paper writing skills,
d). set goals for the development of their own skills in reading analyzing, writing, oral presentations and working in groups
- On successful completion of Level 3, the students will have
a). developed areas of subject specific language,
b). developed their skills of analyzing and formulating arguments in interpretation of source material,
c). developed their skills of organizing an extended study through completion of a dissertation on a particular area of the subject,
d). had opportunity to synthesize different aspects of their study,
e). had the opportunity to work independently,
f). developed competencies in the areas of ministries, which involve preaching, counseling cross-cultural communication, leadership and church growth.
Destination of graduates
We expect our graduates to be able to make informed choices as to the area of their specific future involvement. For example: Church leadership ministries, mission work, teaching, study and research.
Service learning
Service learning requirements are included as a component in the academic programs. All students must complete a minimum of 90 hours Service Learning for each year of their study. At the beginning of the semester, students may choose the area in which they will dedicate their time and skills. They must either choose from a list of ministry opportunities provided each semester by the Student Ministry Committee or they may continue current ministry in their local church. Every week, students must complete a Ministry Report. The service Learning Program is supplementary to the course and is supervised by the Student Ministry Director, who is a member of the teaching faculty and coordinated by the Student Ministry Committee. Collectively, during the school year, the student body will give 9.000-12.000 hours of service to the churches and communities of Romania.
All ministries require preparation individually and collectively. Each semester students are offered many varied opportunities for application through Service Learning.
Basic course structure with exit points
The three-year degree course is divided into three sections,
Level One: Certificate,
Level Two: Diploma,
Level Three: Degree.
Students opting to take the first year only [Level One], may be awarded a Certificate in Bible and Applied Theology. Students opting to take two years only [Level Two], may be awarded a Diploma in Bible and Applied Theology. Students completing all three levels will be awarded the BA in Bible and Applied Theology. Modules offered in the first year of the course are classed as Level One. Modules offered in the second year are classed as Level Two, but may be classed as Level Three. Modules offered in the third year of the course are classed as Level Three.
With regard to Diploma and Degree courses, students may only progress to the second year after satisfactory completion of the first year.
A student will be considered to have satisfactorily completed the first year when he or she has earned 120 credits at Level One. A student will be considered to have satisfactorily completed the Diploma when he or she has earned 120 credits at Level One and 120 credits at Level Two. A student will be considered to have satisfactorily completed the Degree when he or she has earned 120 credits at Level One, 120 credits at Level Two and 120 credits at Level Three.
Degree or Diploma students who fail a particular module may be re-assessed in the module in question, provided that such assessment or re-assessment takes place before the completion of that level of their course at the Romanian Bible University. In cases where a module is re-assessed, the maximum grade achievable will be the minimum required for a pass in that module. See also Section 4.8 of the Compensation Pattern.
Degrees will be classified according to the average results achieved during the second and third years of the course and Diplomas will be awarded according to the average results achieved during the second year of the course.
BA IN BIBLE AND APPLIED THEOLOGY
LEVEL ONE
SEMESTER ONE
BI 101Old Testament Survey (10)
BI 201Hermeneutics (10)
BI 104 Life of Christ (10)
BI 105 Methods of Bible Study (10)
CM 202 Homiletics I (10)
TH 101 Introduction to Theology (10)
SEMESTER II
BI 101 New Testament Survey (10)
BI 202 Pentateuch (10)
BI 103 Book of Acts (10)
BI 205 General Epistles (10)
HI 202 Pentecostal Foundations (10)
CM 203 Homiletics II (10)
LEVEL TWO
SEMESTER I
HI 201Church History I (10)
TH 301 Christology and Soteriology (10)
MU 101 Music and Worship (10)
CM 201 Introduction to Christian Education (10)
MI 101 Introduction to Missions (10)
BI 401Major Prophets (10)
SEMESTER II
TH 301Church History II (10)
TH 202 Anthropology, Angelology and Hamartology (10)
TH 201 Pneumatology (10)
CM 101 Evangelism (10)
BI 301 Pastoral Theology (10)
BI 302 Romans and Galatians (10)
LEVEL THREE
SEMESTER ONE
BI 404 Corinthians (10)
TH 302 Ecclesiology (10)
CM 301Christian Education (10)
CM 302 World Religions (10)
ED 10 Pastoral Counselling (10)
RE 401 Dissertation I (10)
SEMESTER TWO
ED 403 Christian Ethics (10)
ED 102 Apologetics (10)
ED 103 Church Growth Strategies (10)
ED 401 Church Administration (10)
CM 303 The Christian Family (10)
RE 402 Dissertation II (10)
ASSESSMENT
Assessment philosophy
RBU firmly believes that assessment can best help the student when it is seen as an essential part of the learning process and is clearly tied to learning outcomes.
Assessment methods
All courses are assessed through coursework and examination(s). These are weighted as 60 % for the examination(s) and 40 % for research paper(s) and general course work. The maximum number of marks for these two components taken together is 100. There is an exception to this rule: the dissertation at Level Three. Assessment methods are shown in the individual course descriptors.
The examinations should last two hours or it could be two one-hour exams, if there is both a mid term and an end of term examination. Research papers should contain 1750 words [approx.]
Management of assessment
The degree course is deemed to be in two parts. Part one is comprised of Level One and Part Two is made up of from Levels Two and Level Three. Students must pass Part One to enable them to progress to Part Two. Only the courses taken in the latter count towards the final degree classification.
A course worth 10 credits is deemed, notionally, to represent 100 hours of student work, in the taught practical courses this would normally be divided into 40 hours of staff contact time and 60 hours of directed study.
Part one
Level one
Level 1 of the degree is worth 120 credits, on the basis of 12 courses, worth 10 credits each. The intention is to provide both a basic introduction to the subject and a broad academic base for future studies. The assessment will be based on their future ability to grasp basic concepts and formulate them in essay writing, oral presentation and examinations.
Part two
Level two
Level 2 of the degree is worth 120 credits, on the basis of 12 courses
worth 10 credits each. The aim is to extend and broaden the base of their base of knowledge. Assessment will be based on the students’ ability to engage in new concepts, write creatively, and introduce critical thinking.
Level three
Level three of the degree is worth 120 credits, on the basis of 10 courses, worth 10 credits each and the Dissertation course, which is worth 20 credits. The assessment is based on the students’ ability to think critically by analyzing and formulating arguments, write creatively and show personal communicational skills.
Teaching and learning strategies
The overall strategy for teaching and learning is to provide an optimum combination of theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding, using the resources available. In “class” work, there is an emphasis on understanding, research, analysis, interpretation and discussion. The two main teaching methods are lectures and seminars while the coursework assignments may be drawn form among the following types of work: research papers, group work, in-class presentations and field work.
Compensation pattern
A candidate who fails up to two modules will be allowed to re-sit final examinations and to re-submit coursework; such a candidate may be awarded a pass or honors degree as appropriate. The only exception to this rule occurs in the case of candidates who may be compensated for a failure no lower than 35 by a mark of more than 50 in another module and by a failure no lower than 30 by a mark of more than 60 in another module. Thus, for example, a student who obtained 30 in two modules, would, if he or she obtained 60 in two other modules, be allowed to graduate with the weighted average in the normal way. Compensation may not apply to more than two failed modules. Borderline cases either of pass and failure or between degree classifications may be invited to attend a viva voce examination by the external examiner and at least one internal tutor.
Degree criteria
A degree will be awarded provided that the student has achieved a
combined credit performance of 100 % consisting of:
Level One –
Level Two 40 %
Level Three 60 %
Award of the degree
The scheme of categorization for the awarding of degrees is detailed below:
First: 70 – 100 %
Upper Second 60 – 69 %
Lower Second 50 – 59 %
Third 40 – 49 %
Pass 35 – 39 %
Detailed assessment pattern
Marking criteria
RESOURCES
Location
RBU is situated on a wonderful piece of land on 59 Răsăritului Street, in the west side of Bucharest. The total surface of the land is 2,5 ha. The academic center “Dr. Tom Paino” has a total surface of 2600 m2
Staff development
Staff is encouraged to improve their academic qualifications. There is a program of in-service training involving both internal and external speakers. Faculty members are actively encouraged to conduct their own research, to write papers, books and to attend conferences.
Classrooms and other facilities
There are 7 classrooms, 3 laboratories and an auditorium with a capacity of 800 places. The new dorms and are made up of 28 rooms, out of which 7 rooms are guest rooms.
Library and Christian bookstore
RBU houses one of the finest libraries in Romania. Currently, more than 50.000 volumes are in its collections. Internet access is available in the library.
The Christian bookstore offers CDs, DVDs, audio cassettes, magazines and other Christian materials.
List of magazines and reviews
The school receives monthly more than 200 academic journals, magazines and periodicals.
Computer technology and access
A fully equipped computer laboratory is available for student use, providing 24-hour Internet access.
Technical and administrative support
There are three senior administratives and the support staff varies annually between ten to fifteen people.
Budget
Annually, the school spends more than 100.000 euros on liquid acquisitions, materials and maintenance etc. Additionally, a number of sources donate books and materials to the library.
