Undergraduate study

Undergraduate 

Theology & Religious Studies BD/MA

Doctrine of God TRS4096

  • 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

Through the study of a selection of key texts, from the patristic, medieval, Reformation and modern eras, the course identifies and debates central features of the Christian understanding of God.

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

TRS4021 Doctrine of God

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Essay (2000 words) - 50%

■ Presentation report (1000 words) - 25%

■ Presentation of 10 minutes - 25%

 

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

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ One-to-one presentation / discussion/Q&A with staff (where presentation would normally be in class) as an alternative to the presentation

■ There is no alternative to the presentation report, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (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:

■ study the central elements of the Christian understanding of God;

■ engage with key ancient, medieval, Reformation, and modern texts;

■ explore how theologians have understood the nature of human knowledge of God;

■ identify the sources, norms, and limits of such knowledge.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ analyse key issues in classical and modern Christian expositions of the doctrine of God;

■ identify differences in approaches of the major Christian confessions;

■ apply critical judgement in evaluating truth-claims relating to the doctrine of God;

■ assess the importance of more recent approaches, including those of political and feminist theologies;

■ present complex arguments in written and oral form.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions