Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (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 |
Not available in 2020/21 |
Module Cap |
|
Location |
Durham
|
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Excluded Combination of Modules
Aims
- To trace the development of Christian theology in the early patristic
period, especially focusing on 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 module traces the development of doctrine through the
early patristic period (from the second to the fifth century). The main focus will be on the 'classical' debates from
the council of Nicaea (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
- A knowledge and critical understanding of doctrinal development in the period, especially with respect
to Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity.
- A knowledge and critical understanding of selected areas of Christian practice.
- Ability to analyze 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,
seminars and tutorials.
- Lectures will trace the development of doctrine, 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. Lectures convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop knowledge and a clear understanding of the subject, and to improve their skills in evaluating information.
- 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). Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches, and enhancing skills in the analysis of texts, concepts and arguments.
- Tutorials provide feedback on student work and the opportunity
to discuss specific issues in detail, enhancing student knowledge and
writing skills.
- Formative essays develop 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.
- 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.
- The final year examination will assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the structured presentation of information in written form under time constraints.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
Activity |
Number |
Frequency |
Duration |
Total/Hours |
|
Lectures |
22 |
1 per week |
1 hour |
22 |
■ |
Tutorials |
2 |
1 in MichaelmasTerm, 1 in Epiphany Term |
1.5 hours |
3 |
■ |
Seminars |
6 |
3 in Michaelmas Term, 3 in Epiphany Term |
1.5 hours |
9 |
■ |
Preparation and Reading |
|
|
|
166 |
|
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 Michaelmas 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