DI5924 Surveillance, Theology and the Bible

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

40

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Not relevant.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr E Stoddart

Dr E Stoddart
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr E Stoddart

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will help you think critically about surveillance in contemporary life. You will consider current theories from the field of surveillance studies as well as turning to the Hebrew Bible and New Testament for themes that might stimulate the appraisal of surveillance in other ways. Christian theological perspectives on technology will direct your attention to issues at stake that do not otherwise readily come to the surface. Privacy will normally be a particular focus for biblical and theological examination but so too will questions of human flourishing and security. You will also give some consideration to how Christians experience surveillance in specific contexts and how churches and Christian organisations deploy surveillance technologies too.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Where a student fails the assessment for a taught module, one or more such components of coursework originally graded at less than 7 may be revised and resubmitted. The weighted-mean grade for reassessed components will be added to the weighted-mean grade for original (i.e first) submission-components. This new overall grade will be capped at 7.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Delivered online asynchronous independent study after initial study week in St Andrews

Intended learning outcomes

  • Evince critical consideration of surveillance in contemporary life;
  • Demonstrate informed discussion of a range of Christian theological perspectives on privacy;
  • Critically discuss, from a Christian perspective, (in)visibility within contemporary surveillance;
  • Propose and defend an argument relevant to the deployment of surveillance technologies by Christian organisations.