Module THEO2391: EARLY CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE: TRINITY AND CHRISTOLOGY

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO2391: EARLY CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE: TRINITY AND CHRISTOLOGY

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

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

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Optional formative essay of 2,500 words to be submitted by the end of Michaelmas Term

■ 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