Module THMN1277: Christian Perspectives on Contemporary Issues

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN1277: Christian Perspectives on Contemporary Issues

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To enable students to explore different Christian perspectives on contemporary social issues.
• To provide an opportunity for students to consider how to reflect theologically on contemporary ethical and social issues at an introductory level (e.g. conflict, relationships, inter-faith relations, sexuality, disasters, etc.).
• To enable students to connect with a range of resources on common contemporary social issues and understand different rationales for diverse positions on these issues, including those for the formal position held by their own church denomination.
• To enable students to explore their own convictions on some of these issues and consider what the relationship should be between our own convictions and those of others.
• To enable students to critically consider the implications of diverse Christian perspectives for different forms of Christian ministry (e.g. in preaching/educational work/practical action, etc.).

Content

• An introduction to tackling difficult and controversial contemporary issues using practical theological approaches.
• Critical consideration of different approaches for relating the Christian faith to contemporary personal, ethical, social and political issues.
• Using a range of examples to explore potential approaches and model applications to issues in particular contexts.
• Consideration of the impact of diverse perspectives on contemporary social issues within the Christian Church, including the effects of different ways of handling these diverse perspectives.
• Taking into account educational and pastoral implications when engaging in ministry relating to these issues.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module student will be able to:
• Show an understanding of different ways that Christians apply their faith to contemporary issues.
• Demonstrate an awareness of different Christian understandings of human experience.

• Show an understanding of the impact of different ethical and theological understandings on particular situations in everyday life.
• Reflect theologically on their own understandings concerning the relationship between the Christian faith and issues encountered in everyday life.
• Critically consider different Christian perspectives on contemporary issues.

• Enable others to engage in learning about these issues; e.g. through preaching, group work and/or informal education.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Interactive lectures in a seminar style will include presentations and group discussions. These will enable students to be introduced to helpful material whilst engaging participatively in dialogue over different perspectives on particular issues, within a facilitated environment that helps them to learn from each other in the process. 20 hours contact time

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A 10 minute presentation which describes different Christian perspectives on one contemporary social issue and shows how these might be communicated effectively and with integrity to others. This should be accompanied by a handout (maximum 2 sides of A4) which summarises the presentation.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University