MISS6001 TFM Oral – Due 10 June

Due: 10 June

Value: 20%

Type of assessment: individual

Rationale: An oral examination allows students to demonstrate not only their grasp of the theological foundations of mission, but their capacity to integrate, articulate, and apply these principles in real time, as is required in pastoral contexts. It assesses depth of understanding, theological coherence, and personal appropriation of the Church’s missionary vision in a way that written work alone cannot.

Task description: Choose TWO of the articles below to discuss in a ten minute conversation with Fr Chris. You will be invited to critically engage with the articles, explaining each author’s central argument, the strengths and weaknesses of each article, weighing each article in the light of the material presented in the rest of the course and any related themes in both articles.

1. Finn, Thomas, “It happened one Saturday Night”, accessed through TFM 2 lecture materials
2. Imbelli, Robert, “Rekindling the Christic Imagination”, accessed through TFM 5 lecture materials
3. Martin, Francis, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me”, accessed through TFM 12 lecture materials

Format: Oral exam

Marking criteria for this task:

Element of Assessment	High Distinction (HD)	Distinction (D)	Credit (C)	Pass (P)	Fail (F)
Understanding of the Texts	Nuanced and accurate grasp of both articles; articulates each author’s central argument clearly and in the author’s own theological terms.	Accurately explains the main arguments of both articles with only minor gaps or imprecision.	Generally accurate understanding, though explanations may lack nuance or depth.	Basic or partial understanding; relies heavily on summary or misses key aspects.	Misrepresents or fails to explain the central arguments.
Critical Engagement	Sustained, fair, and insightful evaluation of strengths and limitations; demonstrates independent theological judgment.	Clear critical evaluation, though some insights are less developed or uneven.	Identifies some strengths or weaknesses, but evaluation is limited or descriptive.	Minimal or superficial critical engagement; little theological judgment.	No meaningful critical evaluation demonstrated.
Integration with Course Themes	Insightful integration with major course themes, showing a coherent theological vision across the unit.	Clear and relevant connections to course themes, though integration may lack depth.	Basic or general links to course themes without sustained integration.	Few, vague, or unclear connections to course material.	No engagement with course themes.
Comparison and Synthesis	Thoughtful synthesis showing how the two articles illuminate and challenge one another.	Clear comparison noting similarities and differences in emphasis.	Some comparison present but underdeveloped or implicit.	Minimal or unclear comparison.	No effective comparison or synthesis.
Oral Theological Communication	Clear, confident, and theologically precise communication; reflective and responsive engagement.	Clear communication and good responses to questions with minor lapses.	Adequate communication, though expression may be hesitant or imprecise.	Unclear, hesitant, or overly scripted communication.	Communication significantly impedes understanding.

Assessment Feedback: You will receive written feedback after the oral, usually within two weeks of the exam.