Skip to main contentCambridge University Reporter

No 6312

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Vol cxliii No 35

pp. 622–645

Regulations for examinations

Education Tripos, Part II

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 310)

With effect from 1 October 2013

The regulations for Part II of the Tripos have been amended so as to (i) decrease the number of written papers offered under Section II from four to three; (ii) change the titles of the Papers 1–3 to Disciplines of education I–III; and (iii) introduce an optional dissertation under Section II. Regulations 12 and 14 have been amended as follows:

Regulation 12.

By removing the sentence, ‘With the permission of the Faculty Board, a candidate may offer a dissertation in place of one paper from Papers 1–4 of Section II, providing that the candidate may not offer more than one dissertation in total under Sections II and IV’, and instead inserting the sentence:

Candidates may not offer more than one dissertation in total under Sections II, III, and IV.

To reduce and rename the papers listed under Section II as follows:

Section II. Advanced topics in education studies

Section II consists of three written papers, each of three hours’ duration, and a dissertation.

Paper 1

Disciplines of education I

Paper 2

Disciplines of education II

Paper 3

Disciplines of education III (also serves as Paper Soc. 8 of the Politics, Psychology, and Sociology Tripos)

Paper 4

Dissertation in an education discipline

Regulation 14.

By inserting Section III in the opening sentence, so as to read:

A candidate who intends to submit a dissertation under Section II of Part I, or under Sections I, II, III, and IV of Part II, shall submit the proposed topic to the Secretary of the Faculty Board through her or his Director of Studies, by a date announced by the Faculty Board not later than the beginning of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination.

The Faculty Board of Education have confirmed that no candidate’s preparation for the examination in 2014 will be affected by these changes.

Politics, Psychology, and Sociology Tripos, Parts IIa and IIb: Notice

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 417)

With effect from 1 October 2013

Paper Soc. 8 has been renamed following amendments to the scheme of examination for the Education Tripos, Part II:

Soc. 8.

Disciplines of education III (Sociology of education) (Paper 3 of Part II of the Education Tripos)

Bachelor of Theology for Ministry

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 448)

With effect from 1 October 2013

The regulations for the Bachelor of Theology for Ministry have been amended. The following revisions have been made:

(a)the Qualifying Examination in Theology for Ministry has been removed from the regulations, so as to allow the current ‘exemption’ route to become the admission route;

(b)names of candidates in each of the First and the Second Examinations will each be classed separately, and arranged alphabetically into three classes, with the Second Class being divided;

(c)there will be a revised schedule of papers.

The amendments also anticipate some changes to be made with effect from 1 October 2014, to replace transitional arrangements.

Regulation 2.

By removing the reference to the Qualifying Examination and amending the final sentence of the regulation so as to read:

A student who has been granted permission under this regulation shall not offer in any Honours Examination a paper which is the same as, or which substantially overlaps with, a paper which he or she has offered in the First or Second Examination for the B.Th. Degree.

Regulation 3.

By removing the current regulation and replacing it with a revised regulation so as to read:

[3. There shall be a First Examination and a Second Examination for the B.Th. Degree. The names of successful candidates in the First Examination shall be arranged in alphabetical order in three classes, with the second class being divided. The names of successful candidates in the Second Examination shall be arranged in alphabetical order in three classes. In drawing up the class-list for the Second Examination the Examiners shall take account of the performance of candidates in the First Examination.]

<3. There shall be a First Examination and a Second Examination for the B.Th. Degree. The names of successful candidates in both the First and Second Examinations shall be arranged in alphabetical order in three classes, with the second class being divided.>

and inserting a footnote to the regulation to state that the regulation in angular brackets will replace the regulation in square brackets with effect from 1 October 2014.

Regulation 4.

By removing the current regulation, and renumbering all subsequent regulations.

Regulation 5.

By revising the regulation so as to read:

4. Subject to the provisions of Regulation 6, a student may be a candidate for the First Examination if he or she

(a)has been proposed for the degree by a House of the Cambridge Theological Federation, and admitted by the Faculty Board of Divinity; and

(b)has been matriculated and has kept two terms as a member of the University; provided that three complete terms have not passed after the student’s first term of residence reading for the B.Th. Degree.

Regulation 6.

By replacing the reference to 'Regulation 7' with a reference to 'Regulation 6'.

Regulation 7.

By replacing the reference to 'Regulation 5 or Regulation 6' in subparagraph (c) with a reference to 'Regulation 4 or Regulation 5'.

Regulation 14.

By amending the first sentence of the regulation so as to read:

13. The papers for the First and Second Examinations for the degree of B.Th. shall be divided into Groups A–E and shall be as set out below.

And by removing all papers from the schedule of papers listed, and announcing revised papers as follows:

Group A

B.Th.1.

Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

B.Th.2.

Elementary Hebrew (Paper A1A of the Theological and Religious Studies Tripos)

B.Th.3.

Introduction to New Testament Greek

B.Th.4.

New Testament Greek (Paper A1B of the Theological and Religious Studies Tripos)

Group B

B.Th.11.

Reading the Christian Bible

B.Th.12.

Christian doctrine

B.Th.13.

Belief and practice in the early church

B.Th.14.

Reform and renewal in Christian history

B.Th.15.

Special subject in Christian history

B.Th.16.

Special subject in the study of religion

Group C

B.Th.21.

Intermediate Hebrew

B.Th.22.

Intermediate Greek

B.Th.23.

Old Testament studies

B.Th.24.

New Testament studies

B.Th.25.

Old Testament exegesis*

B.Th.26.

New Testament exegesis*

B.Th.27.

Biblical themes in Christian doctrine*

B.Th.28.

The study of Christian mission*

B.Th.29.

The Gospel and western culture*

B.Th.30.

Philosophy of religion

B.Th.31.

Church and sacraments*

B.Th.32.

Patterns of Christian worship*

B.Th.33.

Subjects specified by the Faculty Board*

B.Th.34.

Special study*

Group D

B.Th.41.

Further studies in Christian doctrine

B.Th.42.

Topics in church history

B.Th.43.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in encounter

B.Th.44.

Christian ethics

B.Th.45.

Advanced subjects specified by the Faculty Board*

B.Th.46.

Further advanced subjects specified by the Faculty Board*

B.Th.47.

Special study

Group E

B.Th.51.

Pastoral portfolio A

B.Th.52.

Pastoral portfolio B

* Half papers

Regulation 15.

By amending sub-paragraph (c) so as to read:

(c)Candidates for the First Examination and the Second Examination may not offer for each examination more than two full papers (or the equivalent number of full papers and half-papers) whose assessment is wholly by essay.

Regulation 16.

By amending sub-paragraph (b) so as to replace references to Papers B.Th. 21, B.Th. 27, or B.Th. 28 with references to Papers B.Th. 34 and B.Th.47.

Regulation 17.

By removing the current regulation, and renumbering all subsequent regulations.

Regulation 18.

By removing the current regulation and replacing it with a revised regulation so as to read:

[16. A candidate for the First Examination shall offer

(a)four full papers (or the equivalent number of full papers and half-papers) chosen from Groups B and C; a candidate who so wishes may offer as an additional paper a language paper chosen from Papers B.Th. 1–4 which he or she has not previously offered;

(b)Paper B.Th.51; provided that

(i)a candidate who offered Paper 1 in the Qualifying Examination may not offer Paper B.Th.2;

(ii)a candidate who offered Paper 3 in the Qualifying Examination may not offer Paper B.Th.4;

(iii)Paper B.Th.11 may not be offered by any candidate who has passed the Qualifying Examination or by any candidate who has passed a previous course with a component in biblical studies deemed by the Faculty Board to be of equivalent scope and academic standard to Papers 5 and 6 of the Qualifying Examination;

(iv)a candidate may not offer the same set texts for Papers B.Th.23 or B.Th.24 as for Papers B.Th.25 or B.Th.26;

(v)a candidate admitted to the First Examination under Regulation 4(b) without having passed the Qualifying Examination must offer an additional language paper chosen from Papers B.Th.1 to B.Th. 4 unless the candidate has previously passed a biblical language course which is deemed by the Faculty Board to be of equivalent standard.]

<16. A candidate for the First Examination shall offer

(a)four full papers (or the equivalent number of full papers and half-papers) chosen from Groups B and C;

(b)a language paper chosen from papers B.Th.1 to B.Th.4 unless the candidate has previously passed a biblical language course which is deemed by the Faculty Board to be of equivalent standard;

(c)Paper B.Th.51; provided that

(i)a candidate may not offer the same set texts for Papers B.Th.23 or B.Th.24 as for Papers B.Th.25 or B.Th.26;

(ii)a candidate who so wishes may offer as an additional paper a language paper chosen from Papers B.Th.1–B.Th.4 in a language from which he or she has not been exempted by the Faculty Board.>

and inserting a footnote to the regulation to state that the regulation in angular brackets will replace the regulation in square brackets with effect from 1 October 2014.

Regulation 19.

By removing the current regulation and replacing it with a revised regulation so as to read:

[17. A candidate for the Second Examination shall offer

(a)either four full papers (or the equivalent number of full papers and half-papers) chosen from Groups C and D, or three full papers (or the equivalent number of full papers and half-papers) chosen from Groups C and D plus a dissertation, as specified in Regulations 21 and 22; a candidate who so wishes may offer as an additional paper a language paper chosen from Papers B.Th.1–B.Th.4 which he or she has not previously offered;

(b)the assessment for Part B of the Pastoral Studies Portfolio (Paper B.Th. 52);

provided that:

(i)a candidate who offered Paper 1 in the Qualifying Examination or the First Examination may not offer Paper B.Th.2;

(ii)a candidate who offered Paper 3 in the Qualifying Examination or the First Examination may not offer Paper B.Th.4;

(iii)a candidate shall not offer any paper or half-paper that he or she has previously offered in the First Examination;

(iv)a candidate may not offer the same set texts for Papers B.Th.23 or B.Th.24 as for Papers B.Th.25 or B.Th.26 (whether taken as part of the First or Second Examination).]

<17. A candidate for the Second Examination shall offer

(a)either four full papers (or the equivalent number of full papers and half-papers) chosen from Groups C and D, or three full papers (or the equivalent number of full papers and half-papers) chosen from Groups C and D plus a dissertation, as specified in Regulations 21 and 22; a candidate who so wishes may offer as an additional paper a language paper chosen from Papers B.Th.1–B.Th.4 in a language which he or she has not previously offered;

(b)Paper B.Th.52;

provided that:

(i)a candidate shall not offer any paper or half-paper that he or she has previously offered in the First Examination;

(ii)a candidate may not offer the same set texts for Papers B.Th.23 or B.Th.24 as for Papers B.Th.25 or B.Th.26 (whether taken as part of the First or Second Examination).>

and inserting a footnote to the regulation to state that the regulation in angular brackets will replace the regulation in square brackets with effect from 1 October 2014.

Regulation 20.

By removing the current regulation and renumbering all subsequent regulations.

Regulation 21.

By replacing the first sentence of the regulation so as to read:

18. A candidate may not offer B.Th.34 and B.Th.47 in the same examination.

Regulation 22.

By replacing the first sentence of sub-paragraph (a) of the regulation so as to read:

19. (a) A candidate who wishes to offer papers B.Th.34 or B.Th.47 under Regulations 16 or 17 shall submit an application, including the title of the proposed special study and a statement of the scheme of papers to be offered in the examination.

Regulation 23.

By amending the first sentence of the regulation so as to read:

20. A candidate for the Second Examination may, with the permission of the Faculty Board, submit in place of any full paper which he or she would otherwise offer under Regulation 17, a dissertation on a topic approved by the Faculty Board.

Regulation 24.

By amending the first sentence of sub-paragraph (a) of the regulation so as to read:

21. (a) A candidate who wishes to offer a dissertation under Regulation 17 shall submit an application, including the title of the proposed dissertation and a statement of the scheme of papers to be offered in the examination.

Regulation 25.

By replacing the current regulation with a new regulation so as to read:

22. (a) Course-work presented for Papers B.Th.51 and B.Th.52 shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Faculty Board in accordance with detailed arrangements approved by the Board, so as to arrive not later than the third Tuesday of Full Easter Term. Candidates who submit work in excess of the stated maximum lengths shall be liable to be penalized by the Examiners.

(b) A candidate who fails to satisfy the Examiners in Paper B.Th.52 at the end of the Second Examination year may apply to the Faculty Board to be reassessed in the examination. Such permission shall be granted on not more than one occasion. If any candidate is given permission to be reassessed under this regulation, the assessment shall be concluded on the basis of such additional work as the Examiners may require and shall be completed in the academical year next following the first assessment, except by special permission of the Faculty Board granted in exceptional circumstances.

The Faculty Board of Divinity and the Management Committee of the Bachelor of Theology for Ministry have confirmed that no candidate’s preparation will be affected.

SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

By removing the current Supplementary Regulations and replacing them with the following so as to read:

Group A

B.Th.1. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

This paper will contain (i) questions on the principles of Hebrew grammar and syntax, and (ii) passages for translation from Hebrew into English, taken from a text prescribed by the Faculty Board.

The examination will take the form of a three-hour written paper.

B.Th.2. Elementary Hebrew

This paper will make use of the teaching for Tripos Paper A1A.This paper will contain (i) questions on Hebrew grammar, and (ii) passages for translation, linguistic comment, pointing, and retranslation from a portion or portions of the Old Testament prescribed by the Faculty Board.

The examination will take the form of a three-hour written paper.

B.Th.3. Introduction to New Testament Greek

This paper will contain (i) questions on the principles of New Testament Greek grammar and syntax, and (ii) passages for translation from Greek into English, taken from a text prescribed by the Faculty Board.

The examination will take the form of a three-hour written paper.

B.Th.4. New Testament Greek

This paper will make use of the teaching for Tripos Paper A1B.This paper will contain passages for translation, and for exegetical and grammatical comment, from one or more portions of the New Testament which the Faculty Board shall from time to time prescribe. Copies of a Greek lexicon will be available in the examination for those who wish to make use of them.

The examination will take the form of a three-hour written paper.

Group B

B.Th.11. Reading the Christian Bible

This paper introduces students to critical study of the Old and New Testaments. It places selected biblical writings in their historical and cultural contexts while focusing on their thematic and theological concerns.

The examination will take the form of a three-hour written paper.

B.Th.12. Christian doctrine

This paper will introduce some of the major themes and disciplines of Christian theology through a focus on Jesus Christ. The Faculty Board may from time to time prescribe texts for special study.

This paper will be examined by the mixed mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.13. Belief and practice in the early church

This paper will be concerned with the development of Christian life, thought, pastoral practice and prayer in the first six centuries of the Church’s existence. The course aims to introduce students to the importance of understanding the historical, political, philosophical, and social context in which Christianity developed in order to enhance their critical awareness of context in pastoral ministry and mission.

This paper will be examined by the mixed mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.14. Reform and renewal in Christian history

This paper is concerned with the themes of Reform and renewal in the Christian tradition, taking the lenses of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations to deepen understanding of how these relate to the institutions of Church and State, society and culture, and the individual.

This paper will be examined by the mixed mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.15. Special subject in Christian history

This paper will be concerned with the study of an aspect of the cultural formation and impact of Christian belief and practice, as specified by the Faculty Board.

This paper will be examined by the submission of two 3,000-word essays.

B.Th.16. Special subject in the study of religion

This paper will be concerned with the study of religion in one or more of the human and social sciences, as specified by the Faculty Board.

This paper will be examined by the mixed mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

Group C

B.Th.21. Intermediate Hebrew

This paper will use the classes for Tripos Paper B1A. This paper will contain (i) passages for translation, linguistic and exegetical comment and retranslation from portions of text which the Faculty Board will from time to time prescribe, and (ii) essay questions on literary and theological aspects of the prescribed texts. Candidates may not offer in this paper any prescribed text which they have previously offered in Paper A1.

The examination will take the form of a three-hour written paper.

B.Th.22. Intermediate Greek

This paper will use the classes for Tripos paper B1B. This paper will contain passages for translation, textual, exegetical and theological comment from such portions of text as the Faculty Board will from time to time prescribe.

The examination will take the form of a three-hour written paper.

B.Th.23. Old Testament studies

This paper will provide for the study of a particular theme within the Old Testament prescribed by the Faculty Board. It will be concerned with the range of biblical texts, their theology, and with questions regarding the use of the texts in Christian faith and practice. A set text may be specified for more detailed study.

This paper will be examined by the mixed mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.24. New Testament studies

This paper will provide for the close study of a particular theme within the New Testament from a selection prescribed by the Faculty Board. It will be concerned with the range of biblical texts, their theology, and with questions regarding the use of the texts in Christian faith and practice. A set text may be specified for more detailed study.

This paper will be examined by the mixed mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.25. Old Testament exegesis*

This paper will provide for the close study of one or more Old Testament texts or themes from a selection prescribed by the Faculty Board. It will be concerned with the background, content, theology, and interpretation of the relevant Old Testament material, and with questions regarding the use of the material in Christian faith and practice.

The examination will take the form of a two-hour written examination.

B.Th.26. New Testament exegesis*

This paper will provide for the close study of one or more New Testament texts or themes from a selection prescribed by the Faculty Board. It will be concerned with the background, content, theology, and interpretation of the relevant New Testament material, and with questions regarding the use of the material in Christian faith and practice.

The examination will take the form of a two-hour written examination.

B.Th.27. Biblical themes in Christian doctrine*

This paper will introduce students to the discipline of biblical theology, by exploring a number of pivotal theological themes as they are discernible in specific Scriptural texts, and as they relate to the doctrines and practices of the Church.

The examination will take the form of a two-hour written paper.

B.Th.28. The study of Christian mission*

This paper will help students relate some of the central issues and debates in the study of Christian mission to their own context and future ministry. Particular emphasis will be given to questions of Christianity and culture and to learning from the experience of the world church.

This paper will be examined by the submission of one 3,000-word essay.

B.Th.29. The Gospel and Western culture*

This paper will examine theologically the relationship between the gospel and Western culture, including the intellectual, social, and religious trends in both modernity and postmodernity that help to shape people’s thinking in the 21st century, and exploring their impact on contemporary church life and practice.

This paper will be examined by the submission of one 3,000-word essay.

B.Th.30. Philosophy of religion

This paper will explore some classical themes in the philosophy of religion. These will include attributes of God, issues of the relationships between God and the world, and issues of God and ‘the soul’.

This paper will be examined by the mixed mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.31. Church and sacraments*

This paper will explore critically the theological roots and pastoral implications of a variety of approaches to the subject, with particular reference to contemporary ecclesiological questions.

The examination will take the form of a two-hour written paper.

B.Th.32. Patterns of Christian worship*

This paper will explore how God is encountered and believers are formed in worship, by considering the Eucharist, Christian initiation, and services of the word from historical, theological, and phenomenological perspectives.

The examination will take the form of a two-hour written paper.

B.Th.33. Subjects specified by the Faculty Board*

This paper will be concerned with a special subject as specified by the Faculty Board from time to time. Candidates may choose one special subject from a maximum of four in any one year.

This paper will be examined by the submission of one 3,000-word essay.

B.Th.34. Special study*

This paper will be concerned with a special study in an aspect of theology, as approved by the Faculty Board.

This paper will be examined by the submission of one 3,000-word essay.

Group D

B.Th.41. Further studies in Christian doctrine

This paper will provide for the close study of one specialist area in Christian theology, chosen from the subjects prescribed by the Faculty Board. Candidates may choose one specialist area from a maximum of four in any one year.

The examination will take the form of a three-hour written paper.

B.Th.42. Further church history

This paper will provide for the close study of one specialist area in Church history, chosen from the subjects prescribed by the Faculty Board. Candidates may choose one specialist area from a maximum of four in any one year.

This paper will be examined by the mixed-mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.43. Judaism, Christianity and Islam in encounter

This paper will be concerned with an introduction to the study of Judaism and Islam, whereby students will be encouraged both to understand these faiths in their own terms and also to reflect on Christian relations with Jews and Muslims and the theological issues involved.

This paper will be examined by the mixed mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.44. Christian ethics

This paper will be concerned with the theory and practice of Christian ethics and with developing in candidates mature, well-informed habits in moral thinking, appreciation and judgment appropriate to a Christian teaching and pastoral ministry, and Christian living.

This paper will be examined by the mixed-mode of assessment specified in Regulation 14(a).

B.Th.45. Advanced subjects specified by the Faculty Board*

This paper will be concerned with a special subject as specified by the Faculty Board from time to time. Candidates may choose one special subject from a maximum of four in any one year.

This paper will be examined by the submission of one 3,000-word essay.

B.Th.46. Further advanced subjects specified by the Faculty Board*

This paper will be concerned with a special subject as specified by the Faculty Board from time to time. Candidates may choose one special subject from a maximum of four in any one year.

This paper will be examined by the submission of one 3,000-word essay.

B.Th.47. Special study

This paper will be concerned with a special study in an aspect of theology as approved by the Faculty Board.

This paper will be examined by the submission of two 3,000-word essays.

Group E

B.Th.51. Pastoral portfolio A

This paper will test a candidate’s development as a practical theologian who reflects on their own engagement with the church and the world.

This paper will be examined by the submission of one piece of course-work.

B.Th.52. Pastoral portfolio B

This paper will test a candidate’s further development as a practical theologian who reflects on their own engagement with the church and the world.

This paper will be examined by the submission of two pieces of course-work.

* Half papers

Examination in Public Policy for the M.Phil. Degree

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 533)

With immediate effect

On the recommendation of the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Human, Social, and Political Science, the General Board have approved an amendment to the regulations for the M.Phil. in Public Policy, which will take its first admissions in October 2013. The changes reflect more closely the course structure, offer clearer expectations of student achievement, and afford flexibility in the modes of assessment appropriate to this programme.

Regulation 1.

By rescinding Regulation 1 and replacing it with the following:

1. The scheme of examination for the one-year course of study in Public Policy for the degree of Master of Philosophy shall consist of:

(a)three case studies on topics announced by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Human, Social, and Political Science; each case study shall be examined by an essay of no more than 3,000 words in length;

and

(b)seven modules (up to two of which may be divided into half modules) to be prescribed by the Degree Committee, each module to be assessed by a method prescribed by that Committee. The modules and methods of assessment will be published by the Division of the Easter term preceding the examination;

and

(c)two essays of no more than 3,000 words on additional topics, to be agreed by the Degree Committee, and a report of no more than 5,000 words related to work placement.

The Degree Committee are satisfied that no applicant is affected by these changes.