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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Church and Society |
| Unit code |
THRS11057 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
C/4
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Reverend Dr. Pye |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
none |
| Co-requisites |
none |
| School/department |
Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit explores a range of ideas and experiences which impact on the life of the church and hence on its theology, ministry and mission. It introduces alternative religions and forms of worship as well as secular attitudes and approaches that challenge traditional understandings of church. It provides opportunities to appreciate a wider context for other units of study, to develop basic tools for the analysis of personal experience and views, and to reflect theologically on the church's engagement with the wider world.
Aims:
- To understand different dimensions of plurality in our social context, and both relevant Christian theological perspectives and appropriate Church responses.
- To broaden the students’ concept of mission and ministry through engagement with the social order and religious pluralism
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit the student should:
- Be able to demonstrate an appreciation of place of the Church in the social order
- Understand the way in which world-views and knowledge of human society may affect an understanding of mission
- Have an awareness of the issues involved in dialogue between people of different cultures, faiths and political systems
- Be able to summarise the main connections between Christian belief, practice, and institutions, and wider social and cultural structures, norms, and aspirations
Teaching Information
Lectures, seminars, group discussion in class.
Individual tutorials
Additional material and forum discussion delivered through the Wesley College OLE (Moodle)
Assessment Information
Two essays of 2000 words each (50% each).
Reading and References
- Drane, J. The McDonaldization of the Church London, DLT 2000
- Hutton, W. The State We’re In, new ed. London 1996.
- Lynch, G. After Religion: ‘Generation X’ and the Search for Meaning London,DLT, 2002
- Lyon, D Jesus in Disneyland: Religion in Postmodern Times Polity Press, 2000
- Newbiggin, L. The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society, London 1992.
- Sacks, J. The Home we Build Together: Recreating Society Continuum, 2007
