Unit information: Vatican II and post-conciliar Roman Catholic debates in theology in 2020/21

Unit name	Vatican II and post-conciliar Roman Catholic debates in theology
Unit code	THRS30086
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 will first explore the documents of the Second Vatican Council to introduce students to some of the key areas in Catholic theology after the second world war: teachings on religious freedom, ecumenism, other religions, the role and nature of the pope’s authority, and the nature of liturgy. In the second half of the unit the student will be introduced to key Catholic theologians who have developed the above issue. Students will thus engage with major debates within the largest Christian denomination in the world and have a grasp of contemporary Catholic history and thought. The aims of the unit are to introduce students to:

a) the key texts of Vatican II and critical commentaries on those texts; b) to examine some debates subsequent to the Council regarding the critical issues in the Vatican II texts; c) to develop an understanding of different theological paradigms operating with contemporary Catholicism.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit student will have a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the documents of and issues relating to the Second Vatican Council. Students will have further refined their skills in assessing, presenting, analysing and evaluating complex ideas and arguments, and in researching and writing essays.

Teaching Information

Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback

Assessment Information

1 x 2,000 word portfolio (formative)

3000 word essay (sum 100%)

Reading and References

• The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council :a counterpoint for the history of the Council, Marchetto, Agostino, Chicago : University of Scranton Press, 2010
• History of Vatican II edited by Giuseppe Alberigo, Maryknoll, N.Y. : Orbis ; Leuven : Peeters, 1996-2006. 5 volumes.
• Vatican II : Renewal within tradition edited by Matthew L. Lamb and Matthew Levering,. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2008
• The nature and mission of theology: Essays to orient theology in today's debates , Joseph Ratzinger , San Francisco, Ignatius Press, 1995
• Toward Vatican III: The work that needs to be done edited by David Tracy with Hans Küng, SCM, London, 1998
• Vatican I and Vatican II: Councils in the Living Tradition, Kristin M Colberg