2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

THEO5371M Theology and Public Life

30 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Alistair McFadyen
Email: A.I.McFadyen@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Prior knowledge and understanding of Christian theology (equivalent to study at Level 3).

Module replaces

THEO5370M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

How does and how should Christian theology relate to public life and public issues? This module explores the relationship between Christian theology and public life in a variety of contexts. We will study theological responses to a range of contemporary public issues, and the wider theoretical and methodological issues raised.

Objectives

This module explores the relationship between Christian theology and public life, broadly understood, in a variety of contexts. It considers theological responses to a range of contemporary public issues, and the wider theoretical and methodological issues raised.

Learning outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues around public theology, and theological engagements with public life, in diverse contexts.

2. Students will be able to research with limited guidance, and present a detailed critical account of, the literature relating to a specific theme in theology and public life, relating it to wider theoretical and methodological questions.

3. Students will be able to develop an extended critical and constructive response to a specific research question in theology and public life, drawing on and evaluating diverse perspectives.

4. Students will be able to articulate, test and critically evaluate a range of methods for developing theological responses to questions in public life.

Syllabus

Part 1: Approaching Theology and Public Life

- What theology? What publics?
- Public theology in diverse contexts
- Inclusion and exclusion – who’s part of the public?

Part 2: Issues in Theology and Public Life

Indicative list of topics: will vary with students’ interests and to reflect developments in research

- Theology, development and health: HIV/AIDS
- Theology and protest: #BlackLivesMatter
- Finding common ground: Theology and human rights
- Theology, public life and ethics: Nonhuman animals
- Claiming and reclaiming public space: Theology and nationalism
- What next? Theology and the climate crisis

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Meetings	2	0.50	1.00
Seminar	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			277.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Preparation for seminars: 55 hours
Preparation of assignments: 222 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The weekly seminar will be used to monitor the level of understanding of students collectively and individually, as well as their level of work. Tutorials on the literature review and essay will give opportunities for assessing the level of student work and for giving advice and direction.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Literature Review	2,000 words	30.00
Essay	4,000 words	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:19:43

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