Career opportunities
Graduates develop valuable skills in critical thinking, research and communication. They go on to develop careers in any number of roles: teaching, social work, journalism, librarianship, administration, aid and development agencies, government department work, and church leadership and ministry.
Christian Thought and History at Otago
Christian Thought and History can also be taken as an endorsement (specialisation) option for the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).
For further information, please see the subject entry for Theology
Recommended background
All you need to study Christian thought and history is a sense of curiosity about the world and human experience. You do not need to have a faith of your own to find compelling the issues raised by Theology. Students of all or no religious persuasions are welcome.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Christian Thought and History
Explore postgraduate study in Christian Thought and History at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research oppo...
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | CHTH 102 The History of Christianity | 18 |
| CHTH 111 Doing Theology or CHTH 131 God and Ethics in the Modern World | 18 | |
| 200-level | Three 200-level CHTH papers, one of which may be replaced with a 200-level BIBS paper | 54 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level CHTH papers, one of which may be replaced with a 300-level BIBS paper | 72 |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level CHTH papers | 36 |
| 200-level | Two 200-level CHTH papers | 36 |
| 300-level | One 300-level CHTH paper | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
CHTH papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHTH102 | 2025 | The History of Christianity | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH111 | 2025 | Doing Theology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH131 | 2025 | God and Ethics in the Modern World | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH206 | 2025 | The Reformation | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH212 | 2025 | Spirit, Church and Sacraments | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH213 | 2025 | The Trinity | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH217 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH218 | 2025 | The Person and Work of Christ | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH224 | 2025 | Theology and the Environment | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH231 | 2025 | Christianity, War and Violence | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 13 December 2025) |
| CHTH233 | 2025 | Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH235 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH236 | 2025 | Māori Theology and Religion | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH237 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Semester 1, 1st Non standard period (9 February 2025 - 18 June 2025) |
| CHTH305 | 2025 | The Roots of Public Theology | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH306 | 2025 | The Reformation (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH312 | 2025 | Spirit, Church and Sacraments (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH313 | 2025 | The Trinity (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH314 | 2025 | The Theology of Søren Kierkegaard | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH317 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH318 | 2025 | The Person and Work of Christ (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH319 | 2025 | Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH320 | 2025 | Public Theology and Social Justice | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH322 | 2025 | Citizenship, Democracy and Discipleship | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH323 | 2025 | Theology and Human Well-being | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH324 | 2025 | Theology and the Environment (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH331 | 2025 | Christianity, War and Violence (Advanced) | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 13 December 2025) |
| CHTH333 | 2025 | Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH335 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH336 | 2025 | Māori Theology and Religion (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH337 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Semester 1, 1st Non standard period (9 February 2025 - 18 June 2025) |
| CHTH403 | 2025 | The Puritans: Working out the English Reformation | 20 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH405 | 2025 | The Roots of Public Theology | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH414 | 2025 | The Theology of Søren Kierkegaard (Advanced) | 20 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH415 | 2025 | Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology (Advanced) | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| CHTH416 | 2025 | The Theology of Bonhoeffer | 20 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH420 | 2025 | Public Theology and Social Justice (Advanced) | 20 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| CHTH423 | 2025 | Theology and Human Well-being (Advanced) | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| CHTH490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2025), 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026), 3rd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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