Theology, Ethics and Public Issues (THEM128)
| Staff | Professor Susannah Cornwall - Convenor Professor Christopher Southgate - Lecturer Dr Esther Reed - Lecturer |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 30 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | 7 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 2: 11 weeks; |
Module aims
This module introduces you to a range of political, ethical, and social issues arising from theological belief and religious practice in the modern world.
The module will have three taught segments, each lasting for three weeks. Each segment will be on a different topic. Possible topics include (but are not limited to):
Adventures in ecotheology
This segment will enable you to explore how recent explorations in ecotheology interact with classic frameworks in Christian theology. It therefore presumes a basic knowledge of those frameworks. It will include not only radical proposals in ecofeminism and Christanimism, but also work in ‘cli-fi’ futuristic literature, and in poetry.
Decision-making: a brief guide from Thomas Aquinas
This segment investigates Thomas Aquinas’ approach to moral reasoning. It tests the proposition that his guidance is more comprehensive and therefore more useful than many modern approaches, and examines possibilities for dialogue with present-day behavioural sciences. The module takes in Aquinas’ theory of human nature and action, including the intellect, the will, and the passions of the sensory appetite. It considers the intellectual structure of decision-making, his explanation of wrong action, and privative account of evil.
Theology and trauma
In this segment you will engage with and critically analyse Christian theologies of trauma. You will be introduced to material on the origins of trauma theology in psychology, chaplaincy and pastoral care. You will reflect on trauma theologies' interactions with and implications for elements of doctrinal Christian theology such as theodicy and atonement. You will engage in close analysis of writings by key scholars in this area. (Note that the segment is likely to include discussion of traumatic events and may involve engagement with difficult and upsetting material.)
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Engage with recent scholarship concerned with interconnections between theology, ethics and public issues
- 2. Critically assess, in depth, one case study example related to the study of theology, ethics and public issues
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 3. Critically assess the relationship between theology and matters of current social and political importance
- 4. Weigh up the place of theological discourse in the public square
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 5. Develop a project that engages contemporary scholarship
- 6. Shape detailed information into a clear written account
- 7. Show significant originality and rigour in argument
- 8. Demonstrate independent and critical research skills
- 9. Convey ideas to your peers through oral presentation
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- introduction
- research specialisms at Exeter
- discussion of project proposals
- oral presentation of project focus
- directed research with supervisor
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 282 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Seminar time |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 3 | Supervision meeting |
| Guided Independent Study | 282 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annotated bibliography | 1000 words | 1, 8 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 0 | 10 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral presentation | 10 | 15 minutes | 1-5, 7-9 | Written |
| Essay | 90 | 6000 words | 1-8 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral presentation | Oral presentation | 1-5, 7-9 | Refer/Defer period |
| Essay | Essay | 1-8 | Refer/Defer period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Esther D. Reed, Theology for International Law (T & T Clark, 2013)
- Susannah Cornwall, Sex and Uncertainty in the Body of Christ: Intersex Conditions and Christian Theology (Acumen, 2010); Christopher Southgate (ed.)
- God, Humanity and the Cosmos , 3rd ed. (T&T Clark, 2011).
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
01/02/2014
Last revision date
14/02/2022
Key words search
Theology, religion, ethics, public issues