Module THEO3581: Christian Tradition and the Practice of Politics

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO3581: Christian Tradition and the Practice of Politics

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To broaden and deepen students’ understanding of the nature and tasks of Christian theology by means of an in-depth study of political theology.
• To introduce students to the key social and political themes in the theological work of major thinkers in the Christian tradition, including Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Luther, Calvin and the Anabaptists.
• To familiarize students with debates in the modern discipline of Political Theology.
• To introduce students to areas of contemporary social, political and theological debate which connect the theology and practice of the Church to politics.
• To hone students’ skills in the close reading of and critical engagement with primary texts.
• To build on students’ prior knowledge of Christian ethics, doctrine and historical theology acquired at levels 1 and 2.

Content

• The course is an advanced module in Christian theology exploring in depth theological reflection on human politics. The course introduces students to classic texts and representative schools in political theology, beginning with Augustine and moving through the medieval period, including exploration of the social and political thought of Reformed, Catholic, and Anabaptist traditions. Exploration of these texts and theological traditions in the first term will inform discussion of contemporary twentieth and twenty-first century movements, schools of thought and societal issues in the second term. Through both terms of study students will become familiar with the key debates and intellectual frameworks that have shaped the twentieth and twenty first century theological sub-discipline of Political Theology.

Learning Outcomes

• A systematic understanding and a knowledge of a range of patristic, medieval, Reformation and modern texts as they pertain to a theological view of the significance of social and political life.
• In-depth knowledge of the contribution of contemporary Christian theology to conceptualisations of the ‘public square’ including Christian understanding of the relation of Church and human government and of Church and society.
• A systematic understanding of the development and key assumptions of the twentieth and twenty-first century discipline of political theology.

• An ability to outline and assess the ways in which key figures in the Christian tradition have contributed to political thought and practice.
• An ability to read key texts of the Christian tradition in a social and political context.
• An ability to recognize the significant influence of Christian theology on the development of key political theories and practices.
• An ability to bring Christian theology to bear on key public debates, such as the nature and practice of democracy, the significance of human rights discourse, and so forth.

• Skills in the acquisition and interpretation of information through close, nuanced reading of primary and secondary sources.
• Skills in the structured presentation of information in written form.
• Skills in the conducting of research.
• Skills in thinking theologically and philosophically.

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

• Lectures convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop a clear understanding of the subject and to improve their skills in listening and in evaluating information.
• Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches.
• 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 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.
• Examinations 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

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One 2500-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