Module THEO41630: TWENTIETH-CENTURY CATHOLIC THEOLOGY

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO41630: TWENTIETH-CENTURY CATHOLIC THEOLOGY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To possess technical knowledge about the major twentieth century Catholic theologians;
• be able to analyse critically and apply appropriate research approaches to his or her study of and research in Christian theology with reference to relevant primary theological texts, practices and historical sources;
• have sophisticated academic powers of discrimination and judgement which are be able to express themselves clearly, precisely and coherently in written expression.

Content

• The astonishing influence of the French post-war Réssourcement theology continues to be felt both inside and outside Catholicism, from the driving reforms of Vatican II, to the politically charged work of the Radical Orthodoxy movement. This module addresses the historical context which gave rise to it, the key theological debates, and a number of key theologians associated with the movement such as Maurice Blondel, Henri de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Etienne Gilson, or Karl Rahner.
• Acting as a conceptual thread through all of this is the debate concerning nature and grace, which becomes our prism to refract any number of theological issues (e.g. Christian philosophy; the Eucharist; atonement, the Trinity, Incarnation, and Sacraments etc.). We will also be asking questions such as: How are nature and grace related? Where does the primacy of Catholicism lie? In its authority or it’s sacramental and spiritual ways? And what are the sources of theology? For example, what role do patristic and medieval modes of figurative, typological and spiritual exegesis have alongside today‘s biblical historicism? Students will explore these issues as they related to the political concerns of the day as well as developing a theology that meets the challenges of our present age.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the major theologians, and their theological dispositions across a number of theological debates.
• Understanding of debated issues of theological method.

• The ability to critically engage a number of Catholic theologians.
• To discriminate between the different theologians, articulating and justifying their rational for any particular theologian or approach and assess the relevance of their contribution to 21st century catholic theology

• The ability to critically engage a number of Catholic theologians.
• An ability to identify the relations between these theologians and their sources.
• To conduct a focused and critically constructive written piece of work on a chosen theologian/s and the theology presented

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

• After an introductory session, sessions will combine student led seminar discussion of set texts with tutor led input. Each session will be driven by a minimum reading of chapter/essay length pieces that all students are required to read in advance, and on the basis of which the presenting students will offer a formal discussion paper. The discussion will be the primary means of promoting the students confidence and competence in the conceptual understanding that is foundational to theology. Students will also have a one-to-one tutorials in each term.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One 5000 word essay.

■ 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