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Unit information: Vatican II and Post-conciliar Roman Catholic Debates in Theology in 2021/22

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Unit name Vatican II and Post-conciliar Roman Catholic Debates in Theology
Unit code THRSM0123
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
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

By the end of the unit students should be able to demonstrate:

  1. advanced understanding of select teachings of the Council
  2. sophisticated knowledge of the genesis of the Council, the discussions at the Council, and the reception of the teaching of the Council.
  3. critical and analytical skills to deal with primary and secondary materials
  4. a high level of ability in selecting, applying, interpreting and organizing information with sophistication and scholarly rigour
  5. advanced application of existing analytical strategies to new evidence with flexibility and creativity
  6. the capacity for independent research.

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

One summative coursework essay of 5000 words (100%) (Assessing ILOs 1-6)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THRSM0123).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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