| Unit name | The Thought of John Calvin |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS20197 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Balserak |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit examines the life, teachings and legacy of the Sixteenth-century reformer, pastor, theologian, biblical interpreter, lawyer, social visionary, and humanist, John Calvin. One of the most significant thinkers in the Western tradition, Calvin has been called profoundly forward-looking, hopelessly conservative, shamefully licentious, ruthlessly dictatorial. Whatever he was, his thought has had a massive impact on our society and on us. The unit will examine Calvin's context and seek to understand his theology: both its broad contours and the positions he takes on a range of subjects—doctrine of God, creation and the fall of humankind, predestination and soteriology, the church, etc. It will also consider his thinking on government, economics and other "secular" subjects.
Aims:
To introduce students to the thought of John Calvin, to Protestant theology more broadly and to the religious, cultural and institutional contexts informing them.
To provide a framework for analysing and evaluating a variety of perceptions of these topics.
To develop critical interaction with primary and secondary materials.
To develop written presentation skills through the course assessment.
On successful completion of this unit students will have (1) developed a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of the thought of John Calvin and (more broadly) Protestant theology; (2) in-depth understanding of the religious, cultural and institutional contexts informing this; 3) demonstrated the ability to analyse and evaluate competing perceptions of this topic; (4) demonstrated the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent evidence/data in order to illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument. Additionally, second year students will be expected to (5) display skills in evaluating, analysing, synthesising and (where apt) critiquing ideas appropriate to level I.
1 lecture and 1 seminar per week
One summative coursework essay of 2500 words and one unseen examination of two hours comprising 2 questions out of 6 (50%). Both elements will assess ILOs (1) (2) (3). The coursework essay in particular will offer students the opportunity to demonstrate ILOs (4) and (5).
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 vols, trans. Ford Lewis Battles (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960).
T.H.L. Parker, Calvin: An Introduction to His Thought (Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox, 1995).
Alexandre Ganoczy, The Young Calvin, trans. David Foxgrover and Wade Waldo (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1987).
Charles Partee, The Theology of John Calvin (Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox, 2008).
François Wendel, Calvin; Origins and Development of His Religious Thought, trans. Philip Mairet (New York: Harper & Row, 1963; repr: Durham, N.C.: Labyrinth Press, 1987).
W. Fred Graham, The Constructive Revolutionary; John Calvin and his Socio-Economic Impact (Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1971; repr: Grand Rapids: Michigan State University Press, 1989).
