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MTHD20

Public Theology


Strand: Religion & Public Life

Module Director: Sebastian Kim

Offered: Term 2 Spring 2012-13 at York campus

Timetable: Thursday 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Prerequisites: None


Module Description

This module will explore the rationale and means for the public engagement of theology in contemporary society, examining a number of specific instances where theological ideas have influenced, or been influenced by, public life. It will draw on the considerable expertise in the subject linked to the Chair in Theology and Public Life. Public theology is Christians engaging in dialogue with those outside church circles on issues wider than religious matters. The module aims to discuss the nature, rationale and methodologies of public theologies by examining public theologies developed in various global contexts and by exploring appropriate public engagement of theology in contemporary society. The topics covered in the module include: globalisation and political economy; state, civil society and democracy; climate change and ecological crisis; social cohesion and exclusion.

Set Texts

Indicative essential book provision  (examples): 

  • Jürgen Moltmann, God for a Secular Society: The Public Relevance of Theology (London: SCM Press, 1999).
  • Gavin D'Costa, Theology in the Public Square: Church, Academy, and Nation (Oxford: Blackwell, 2005).
  • David Herbert, Religion and Civil Society: Rethinking Public Religion in the Contemporary World (Hampshire, England: Ashgate, 2003).
  • Charles T. Mathewes, A Theology of Public Life (Cambridge: CUP, 2008).
  • Scott R. Paeth, Exodus Church and Civil Society: Public Theology and Social Theory in the Work of Jürgen Moltmann (Aldershot, Hampshire: Ashgate, 2008).
  • William Storrar & Andrew Morton (eds), Public Theology for the 21st Century (London & New York: T & T Clark, 2004).
  • Sebastian Kim, Theology in the Public Sphere (London: SCM, 2011)

Indicative Journals/ Periodicals  (examples): 

  • International Journal of Public Theology
  • Political Theology
  • Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics

Assessment

One 6,000 word piece of written work (100% of the mark).