HUM6262 - Narratives in Theology

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the doctrines of creation and eschatology.
Discriminate between different explanations, applications and expressions of these doctrines in diverse media and across historical periods.
Interpret particular works of literature and art through reference to these doctrines and their respective social contexts.
Explain the significance of narrative within the definition and representation of creation and eschatology.
Select ways and means of presenting research findings, making appropriate choices about form, content, focus, voice and audience.

Content:

This module will introduce students to the doctrines of Creation and Eschatology. It will explore the Catholic doctrinal tradition of these and how these doctrines have been discussed and described in theology and presented through art and literature. The contested nature of the theology doctrines will be explored and the art and literature will be seen as framing and contributing to these debates and presenting them within particular social and cultural contexts.

The content will analyse literature and art selected from a wide range of centuries. The following is an indicative list of the sorts of works covered: the York Mystery Cycle; Dante's Divine Comedy; and Milton's Paradise Lost, the Great East Window in York Minster; the Torcello Last Judgement, and Michelangelo's Last Judgement. Works from the C20/C21 will also be offered for comparison and contrast.

Core content will include:

- The doctrines of creation and eschatology ('the four last things') in Catholic theology, and their development through time;
- The study of the York Mystery Cycle and the York Minster Great East Window;
- The study of the Divine Comedy (selections).

The taught sessions will focus on these works in order to elucidate the key aspects of the doctrine and significant ways of presenting them with literature and art, but the students will be expected to develop their own knowledge beyond these works and their presentations should not restrict themselves to re-presenting the taught materials. To help start these onward explorations a selection of additional materials will be made available on Moodle.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning and teaching will take place in plenary seminar-style sessions which may include group activities and opportunities for individual help through blended learning. Learning and teaching will be supported by Moodle.

Lectures
Hours: 15
Intended Group Size: 30

Seminars/workshops
Hours: 17
Intended Group size: 30

Guided independent study
Hours: 168

Further details relating to assessment

Presentation 1. This presentation outlines the scope and focus of the individual planned project: the issues to be explored; the images or texts suited to the project, and the anticipated conclusions and significance of the project.

Presentation 2. The final presentation will take the form of a viva: a 15-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions from the examiners. Each student will submit a reference list of sources and materials used in the presentation.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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