Unit information: Theology in the Twentieth Century in 2014/15

Unit name	Theology in the Twentieth Century
Unit code	THRS30102
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. D'Costa
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit explores two modern theologians in detail: the Roman Catholic, Karl Rahner, and the Protestant, Karl Barth. It begins with looking at the influence of Kant upon both theologians and their differing reactions to modernity. This is followed by an examination of key aspects of their theology, which provides a comparative and analytical approach to these two giants of the twentieth century.

Aims:

1. To critically examine some theological, philosophical, and social issues related to Christian existence in the modern world;

2. To become familiar with key theologians, their internal developments, and interactions, by means of primary texts - and secondary critical works;

3. To see how central doctrinal issues effect and are effected by modern questions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will be expected to have:

1. acquired knowledge of key primary and secondary texts related to the field;

2. the ability to critically assess the issues and debates within the field, both materially, and methodologically;

3. reflected upon their own presuppositions when examining theological materials, both descriptively and critically;

4. acquired skills through listening, through writing assessed essays, and in small and large group discussion, so as to present, analyze, and evaluate materials appropriate to level 3 standards.

5. to:

• incorporate a consistently strong grasp of detail with respect to content

• argue effectively and at length (including an ability to cope with complexities and to describe and deploy these effectively)

• display to a high level, skills in selecting, applying, interpreting and organising information, including evidence of a high level of bibliographical control

• describe, evaluate and/or challenge current scholarly thinking

• discriminate between different kinds of information, processes, interpretations

• take a critical stance towards scholarly processes involved in arriving at historical and theological knowledge and/or relevant secondary literature

• engage with relevant theological, philosophical or social constructs for understanding relevant works or traditions

• demonstrate an understanding of concepts and an ability to conceptualise

• situate material within relevant contexts (invoking interdisciplinary contexts where appropriate)

• apply strategies laterally (perhaps leading to innovative results).

Teaching Information

One hour lecture, followed by one hour of seminar and discussion work. Students will have completed advance reading related to the seminar discussion work.

Assessment Information

One three hour exam consisting of three questions.

Reading and References

• Ed. David Ford, The Modern Theologians, Oxford, 2005 (3rd edition)

• Ed. Gerard McCool, Karl Rahner Reader, London, 1975

• EdC Green, Karl Barth. Theologian of Freedom, London, 1989

• I Kant, Religion within the Limits of Reason Alone, New York, 1960