Towards Social Transformation: An Analysis of Learning Skills for Theology at Unisa

Abstract

PCF2 // In 1995 the University of South Africa (Unisa) started an investigation into providing access to students who did not have the required entry requirements for university enrolment. It was felt that particularly previously disadvantaged students are thus denied entry into higher education. This commitment has grown into the Access Programmes which are coordinated by the Institute for Continuing Education. Since then, most faculties at Unisa have designed and developed foundation modules/courses for such students. In 2001 the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies enrolled its first students for its access module, named Learning Skills for Theology. // The purpose of Learning Skills for Theology is to help students without matriculation exemption to acquire the necessary reading, writing, thinking and study skills to function effectively in university level theology programmes in a distance education environment. It assists students to become self-directed learners who are able to think critically and creatively. It helps them to interact meaningfully with real life contexts, written texts and lecturers from the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies. // Given this background, it is the aim of the paper to take a critical look at the design and development approach used for the access module and to evaluate its success rate in terms of pass rates as well as students’ responses to it. The paper will conclude by suggesting a number of recommendations for tuition improvements and further research. //