Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)
Module THEO2391: EARLY CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE: TRINITY AND
CHRISTOLOGY
Department: Theology and Religion
THEO2391:
EARLY CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE: TRINITY AND
CHRISTOLOGY
Type |
Open |
Level |
2 |
Credits |
20 |
Availability |
Available in 2015/16 |
Module Cap |
|
Location |
Durham
|
Prerequisites
- Christianity in Context (THEO 1171).
Corequisites
Excluded Combination of Modules
Aims
- To trace the development of Christian theology in the patristic
period, especially Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity.
- To set doctrinal developments in the context of selected practices
of Christianity in the patristic period.
- To expose students to primary texts by major patristic authors and
texts and teach them skills of close analysis of texts.
Content
- The paper traces the development of doctrine through the
patristic period. The main focus will be on the 'classical' debates from
the council of Nicea (325AD) to the council of Chalcedon (451AD). The
examination will include: the doctrine of the Trinity, the person of
Christ, human salvation and sanctification. The doctrinal developments
will be set in the context of the church's communal worship and reading
of the Bible, probing the question of the relation between doctrine and
the church's life and practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Doctrinal development in the period, especially with respect
to Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity.
- Selected areas of Christian practice.
- Ability to analyse primary texts theologically, showing
appropriate knowledge of interpretative issues and the background of
doctrinal development.
- Skills in the acquisition of information through reading and
research, and in the structured presentation of information in written
form.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to
the learning outcomes of the module
- The course will be taught with a mixture of lectures and
seminars.
- The lectures will trace the development of doctrine, as well
as outlining the theology of the authors of the recommended primary
texts and will also provide an introduction to worship in the period and
patristic Biblical exegesis and hermeneutics.
- The seminars will focus on the recommended primary texts and
teach skills of close reading and interpretation of texts in a variety
of genres (e.g., doctrinal, exegetical and liturgical).
- Tutorials provide feedback on student work and the opportunity
to discuss specific issues in detail, enhancing student knowlege and
writing skills.
- Formative essays develop subject-specific knowlege and
understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of
information through reading and research, and in the structured
presentation of information in written form.
- Examinations assess subject -specific knowledge and
understanding, along with student skills in the structured presentation
of information in written form under time constraints.
- Summative essays assess subject-specific knowledge and
understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of
information through reading and research, and in the structured
presentation of information in written form.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
Activity |
Number |
Frequency |
Duration |
Total/Hours |
|
Lectures |
22 |
1 per week:10 in Term l; 9 in Term 2; and 3 in Term
3 |
1 hour |
22 |
■ |
Tutorials |
2 |
1 in Term 1 and 1 in Term 3. |
1 hour |
2 |
■ |
Seminars |
6 |
3 in Term 1 and 3 in Term 2. |
|
6 |
■ |
Preparation and Reading |
|
|
|
170 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
200 |
|
Summative Assessment
Component: Essay |
Component Weighting: 40% |
Element |
Length / duration |
Element Weighting |
Resit Opportunity |
One summative essay |
3,000 words |
100% |
Yes |
Component: Examination |
Component Weighting: 60% |
Element |
Length / duration |
Element Weighting |
Resit Opportunity |
One unseen examination in Easter term |
2 hours |
100% |
Yes |
One formative piece of work in the Autumn term
(2,500 words).
■ 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