Theology & Religious Studies BD/MA
Theology through Creative Writing TRS4081
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Critical Studies
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course will explore the ways in which creative writers have used a variety of genres to explore issues of theological significance. It will examine how creative writing can be a form of critical engagement with contemporary theological challenges.
Timetable
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.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ Essay (1,500 words) - 40%
■ Portfolio (2,500 words) - 60%
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 assessments, 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. 
Main Assessment In: April/May
Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable
It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.
[No exceptions]
Course Aims
This course will provide the opportunity to:
■ examine a range of genres (e.g. detective fiction, life writing, fantasy) in which creative writers have engaged with theological challenges and produced new theological thinking;
■ engage in close, critical readings of key literary and critical texts;
■ produce creative work, revise it for submission and reflect upon its production.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ identify how literary genres can become significant vehicles for the expression of theological thinking;
■ produce a work of critical close reading of a text or texts from a particular genre that present and respond to theological concerns;
■ create, edit and critique a work of creative writing.