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THEO3781: Performative Theology

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Type	Open
Level	3
Credits	20
Availability	Available in 2023/24
Module Cap	None.
Location	Durham
Department	Theology and Religion

Prerequisites

Preliminary knowledge of Christian theology, and an informed interest in literature and the arts.

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None

Aims

To understand the role of the arts (particularly the literary arts) in the development of theological ideas.
To develop close reading skills.
To understand the interaction between some areas of literary theory and Christian theology.

Content

This module will examine the relationship between form and content in the creation of theological meaning, located specifically in Christian theology. It will refer to work across the arts, including visual arts, film and music, but will focus principally on literary forms. A close reading of texts including confession, first-person account, epistle, diary, journal, memoir, song, poem, and new media, will show that by subverting accepted theological forms, or by creating new forms out of circumstantial necessity or opportunity, theological meaning is not merely conveyed by the literary forms in which it is written, but is in part created by them.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Familiarity with a range of works in different forms will enable the reader both to expand their grasp of layers of meaning in theological texts, and to make a theological reading of texts not usually included in the theological canon.

Subject-specific Skills:

Ability to identify and discuss texts in terms of genre, voice, orality.

Key Skills:

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures will examine specific texts in relationship to their literary form, the exploration of key theological themes in interrelated art forms, and reading and interpretation methods.
Seminars will include student presentations, and will allow for a range of readings of any given text to be explored.
Essays (with an option of creative writing) will develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding.
Examinations will assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in presentation of information in written form.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total
Lectures	20	1 per week in the first two terms	1 hour	20
Seminars	10	1 per fortnight	1 hour	10
Preparation and Reading				170
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay or Creative Writing		Component Weighting: 33%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
CHOICE OF: a) Seminar presentation, with submission of written draft, OR: b) creative writing with critical essay	10 minute presentation; 1000 words OR 400 words creative writing, plus 1100 words critical essay (1500 words in total)	100

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 67%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	2 hours	100

Formative Assessment

More information

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