Theological Studies

Theological Studies combines two distinct but closely related fields of study: Theology and Practical Theology.

Modules in Theology provide introductions to the rich theological traditions of Christianity, covering the history of Christian theology from the early church to the modern world, and considering key topics (God, salvation, Jesus Christ, Trinity, creation) in relation to the contexts in which they emerged and developed.

They also consider some of the distinctive challenges to faith presented by modern secular culture (neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory, atheistic existentialism, the role of religion in the modern world, poverty, and post-modern `deconstructionism').

Modules in Practical Theology explore ways in which Christianity is being expressed and lived out today.

They include the study of worship, spirituality and the political involvement of the churches in contemporary Britain; liturgy and social reflection in Latin America; dance, worship and healing in Africa; moral decision-making; bioethics (abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering); political ethics (economic justice and political power, ecological issues) and personal relationships (marriage, sexuality, friendship).

Course Details

SINGLE HONOURS

FIRST and SECOND LEVEL (1st and 2nd years)

In your first year you take two core modules:

• Theology: Issues and History (systematic theology and philosophy of religion)
• Living Faith (practical theology)

Further credits may be chosen from additional modules offered within Divinity. Alternatively, you may pursue broader interests by taking a module offered by other Schools in the Faculties of Arts or Science.

In your second year, you also take two core modules:

• Contemporary Theology and its Challenges
• Church History: The Late Mediaeval and Early Modern Church and Its Theology

You may choose other modules from an approved list of options in Divinity and you have the opportunity to take modules in subjects outside Divinity. This gives you an opportunity to explore cognate subjects (such as philosophy or history) that allow interdisciplinary interests to develop. Within Divinity, Biblical Hebrew is an additional option in the second year of study. Neither New Testament Greek nor Biblical Hebrew is, however, a requirement for this degree programme.

HONOURS (3rd and 4th years)

You normally take four modules (each worth 30 credits) each year. Most modules may be selected according to your particulari nterests, but there are a few basic requirements, see the table [honours_choices_table (PDF, 116 KB)]. Beyond these requirements, you choose modules from the list of those available within the field of Theological Studies. Provided you have met prior requirements laid down by that School, you may take an Honours module from another (usually cognate) School in the Faculty of Arts or Science.

JOINT HONOURS

Combining Theological Studies with another subject as a Joint Honours degree is also a popular option. In the First and Second levels you follow the same core modules in Biblical Studies as single Honours students. You choose your remaining modules according to the requirements of your other Honours subject. For Joint Honours you generally take two modules (each worth 30 credits) in Theological Studies each year. In your fourth year one module must be a dissertation in either Theological Studies or your other Honours subject. Your remaining credits are taken between Theological Studies and your other Honours subject although you must have gained 120 credits (four modules) in Theological Studies at Honours level. (This means that if your dissertation is in your other Honours subject you would take two Theological Studies modules in your fourth year).