DI4936 Theology and Literature

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

2.00 pm - 5.00 pm Tue

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr R A Lamb

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr R Lamb

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The study of literature and theology has developed dramatically in recent years, prompted on the one hand by the aggressive secularism of certain strands of critical theory and on the other hand by the re-emergence of the sacred in contemporary culture. The course will provide an introduction to this growing interdisciplinary field that is both practical and theoretical. More precisely, it will provide a grounding in the practice of close reading and the principles of narratology, though it will also involve: a consideration of literary ways of reading the Bible and theological approaches to the reading of literature; an examination of prominent theological themes; and a discussion of ‘great texts’ from different periods in literary history.

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3-hour seminar.

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

267

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Examine, compare and contrast the range of different approaches to the study of literature, the Bible, and theology.
  • Explore some prominent theological themes as rendered in imaginative literature and related art forms.
  • Investigate the moral, epistemological, and ontological status of fictional works.
  • Students should show evidence of the capacity to articulate the views of others and respond critically to them
  • Students should develop an ability to sustain an argument, both in writing and oral discussion; and function as part of a group of learners while also taking responsibility for making appropriate personal contributions to class work.