Course Catalogue

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This course will introduce students to concepts in political theology and to the most significant Western traditions of political theology, and to explore the theological roots and sources of the Western political tradition and the ways in which theology is 'political'.

1x2hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the Honours options in TRS and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Theology and Religious Studies, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

TRS3007 TRS 3: Political Theology

TRS4012 TRS: Political Theology

None

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (1500 words) - 40%  

■ Presentation of 5 minutes accompanied by a one-page A4 handout or printout of a maximum of eight slides -10% 

■ Project (2000 words) - 50% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay (1500 words), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ A recording of presentation as alternative to presentation.

■ There are no alternatives to the Project (2000 words), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ develop a critical awareness of the key theoretical and conceptual concepts of political theology;

■ explore the influence of key figures within the development of western traditions in political theology;

■ engage with key debates within political theology;

■ develop an awareness of the lines of development of these debates;

■ identify contemporary lines of analysis.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ outline a critical genealogy of the Western tradition of political theology;

■ describe and discuss the definitional debates around key terms and movements within political theology.

■ present detailed critical study of a key thinker or question within political theology

■ relate the issues raised in the course to a wider context;

■ offer a detailed account of one major theme arising from their study of political theology;

■ present complex arguments in written and oral form.