This course offers an introduction to the philosophical and scholastic method of Thomas Aquinas and the development of his theology, focussing on key doctrines and the legacy of his thought.

1x2hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Theology & Religious Studies and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus

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2 x 2000 word essays - 50% each

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ develop students' understanding of the life and work of Thomas Aquinas and his impact on western civilization, including the rise of scholasticism and the development of the university;

■ engage students in critical reading of relevant theological texts;

■ deepen students' understanding of the reception and influence of Aquinas' work;

■ develop students' critical self-assessment of their own reading and writing.

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

■ give a critical account of the historical context of Thomas Aquinas;

■ assess the interaction of philosophy and theology in the development of Aquinas' thought;

■ reflect critically on the theological and cultural influence of Thomas Aquinas and its impact on the rise of the universities, the scholastic method, and the intellectual architecture of medieval religious culture;

■ engage in constructive and critical scholarly debate with peers.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.