Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module THMN3121: Historical and Contemporary Systematic Theology Texts

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN3121: Historical and Contemporary Systematic Theology Texts

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Not available in 2013/14 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To read selected texts from a small variety of theologians and to set these readings in the context of the theologians' work in more general terms
  • To consider how these theologians approach a variety of Christian doctrines
  • To encourage an understanding and evaluation of methodology in the theologians studied •
  • To consider the missiological and pastoral dimensions of the theologians studied.

Content

  • Students will study two or more theologians or movements in theology, broadly speaking. These can be chosen from patristic, medieval, Reformation or more recent times. Where possible, students will be given some choice as to which theologians and theological movements they study. Examples of theologians that could be studied are: Augustine, Luther, Karl Barth, Jurgen Moltmann, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Daphne Hampson, Gustavo Gutierrez, Leonardo Boff, Josè Miranda.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students:
  • will be able to outline and assess the main emphases of the theologians studied
  • will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how these theologians approach key Christian doctrines
  • should be able to explain the significance of social, economic and political factors in constructing theology
Subject-specific Skills:
  • should be able to demonstrate how the theologians they have studied use the Bible, tradition, human reason and experience in constructing their theology
  • should be able to explain how the readings from set texts fit into the theologians' whole work.

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

  • Class time will be focussed on reading and discussion of the texts under consideration, with some introduction from the module teacher and/or another member of the class. Students will be expected to keep a weekly journal of their learning, recording their responses to the reading and class discussions, and this will be part of the summative assessment. After completing drafts of their essays, students will meet in groups of 3 or 4 with the module teacher to give each other feedback, before revising their essays and submitting them. 28 hours contact time.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours

Summative Assessment

Component: Journal Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Learning journal 100%
Component: Essay Component Weighting: 70%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 4000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Feedback on learning journal


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