RLT3160 - Reforming Theologies: Reforming Societies

Leader: Peter Howard, Isabell Naumann and Constant Mews

Offered

Not offered in 2007

Synopsis

Reform has been a constant, but one with many meanings, in the institutional life of the Christian Church. Students will be introduced to the idea of reform and its diverse meanings as the interaction of institutional, social, political and intellectual circumstances at different moments of the Church's history from the medieval and reformation periods (both Catholic and Protestant) to the twentieth century, encompassing the ecumenical movement, Vatican II, liberation and eco-feminist theologies. Particular attention will be placed on the way in which theology has acted at different times as a motor for social, political and intellectual reform.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will:

1. Have acquainted themselves with the considerable body of knowledge on the changing nature of religious reform and be able to evaluate it critically.
2. Have some knowledge of the ways in which religion interacts with social, cultural and political experience in specific contexts.
3. Be able to evaluate the various methodologies and the theoretical issues surrounding recent approaches to the study of religious reform.
4. Be able to engage in critical discussion of the issues raised by the course.
5. Have acquired critical and analytical skills, and the ability to communicate their views verbally and in writing (coherently, economically and rigorously), in a way which is appropriate to the advanced study of religious discourse within an historical framework.
6. Be able to display an independent approach to research on the issues involved.
7. Be able to demonstrate a more sophisticated understanding of the theoretical issues involved.

Assessment

One short essay (1000 words): 25%
Examination (1000 words): 25%
Research presentation and essay (2500 words): 50%
Students taking the subject at Level 3 will be expected to demonstrate more sophisticated analytical skills and submit work incorporating a higher level of competence in independent reading and research.

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in History or Religion and Theology or permission.

Prohibitions

RLT2160