THEO46130: Twentieth Century Catholic Theology (DL)

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• THEO41630 Twentieth-century Catholic Theology

• To introduce students to the main contours of Roman Catholic theology in the Twentieth Century.
• To enable students, through a close engagement with two key figures, to deepen their knowledge of a range of theological issues, both methodological and substantive.
• To enable students through critical encounter with differing theologies of the recent past, to begin to develop their own theological voice.

• The middle of the 20th century was a period of unusual richness and intensity for Catholic theology, and its key movements, figures and debates have continued to exert a shaping influence on subsequent theology and on the life of the church. This module will combine an exploration of the breadth and range of 20th century Catholic theology with a deep engagement with its two most challenging and influential thinkers, Karl Rahner and Hans Urs von Balthasar. Students will be enabled to read deeply in Rahner and Balthasar, and reflect on the different theological style and ecclesial orientations of their ouevres. Student will encounter a range of other figures, such as Henri de Lubac, Charles Nyamiti, Simone Weil, Gustavo Gutierrez, Jon Sobrino, Joseph Ratzinger and Edith Stein, and theological movements, such as modernism, ressourcement, political, liberation and contextual theologies, and have a chance both to explore these in their own right and to reflect on their relationships to the differing theological visions of Rahner and Balthasar.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Critical understanding of key thinkers, movements and debates of 20th century Catholic theology.
• Understanding of debated issues of theological method.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Skills in understanding and interpreting challenging theological texts
• The ability to treat theological texts and ideas both fairly and critically
• The ability to articulate and evaluate differences in substance, method and style between theologians
• The ability to develop theological arguments

Key Skills:

• Critical evaluation of intellectual positions
• Developing and defending arguments
• Written communication skills

• The module is delivered via online learning, divided into 10 units, with specially produced resources and a structured path leading the student through each unit. Resources vary across units but include video or audio content (supported by the provision of transcripts), directed reading, reflective activities, opportunities for self-assessment, and peer-to-peer learning on tutor-facilitated online discussion forums. The central component of work in most units will be the guided reading of, and reflection on, primary theological texts.
• Optional online synchronous seminars offer an opportunity for students to deepen their engagement with the theological texts and debates in conversation with one another and the tutor.
• Formative assessment is designed to ensure early engagement with tutor and feedback to students, and Independent study through reading and writing to enable students to deepen their understanding and critical analysis of key texts and debates through written exploration.
• Tutorials are also designed to ensure early engagement, as well as to strengthen the effectiveness of feedback and build the tutor/student relationship.
• In addition to the two required tutorials, the tutor will provide online office hours on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
• The first summative essay is normally submitted after a student has completed the first 6 units of study, and the second after completion of all units.

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