production
Skip to Content

DR153N: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN? (2023-2024)

Last modified: 05 Oct 2023 08:46


Course Overview

This course explores primary themes in Practical Theology around inclusion. How has the Christian tradition understood questions of disability, suffering and difference in what it means to be human? Can insights from historical theology offer perspectives on contemporary practice? We will explore these questions through a survey of the historical tradition reflecting on attitudes to those who might have been deemed disabled. These historical works can provide a dialogue with contemporary questions as we think about inclusion in the church and society.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Emma Percy

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of Certificate In Theology or () or Diploma In Theology

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course explores primary themes in Practical Theology around inclusion. How has the Christian tradition understood questions of disability, suffering and difference in what it means to be human? This historical survey may cover thinkers like the following: the Church Fathers, Augustine, Aquinas, Julian of Norwich, the Reformers, Bonhoeffer, Barth, Reinders, Eiesland, and Hauerwas.

The course will look at inclusion and personhood from a theological viewpoint. This will include historical ideas about human creation and the imago Dei. We will consider questions of gender, disability and ethnicity. How have ideas around what it is to be fully human changed? How are humans different from animals or other non-humans? The historical writers may include the work of the Church Father’s, Augustine, Aquinas, Julian of Norwich as well as more recent theologians. By asking questions about what it means to be human, a theology of inclusion can be developed that impacts on contemporary practice


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks 39 Feedback Weeks 42

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Oral and Written Feedback

Word Count 2250
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents have a broad overview of theological anthropologies as exemplified by selected historical thinkers.
FactualUnderstandStudents will demonstrate familiarity with the discipline of Practical Theology as well as its core emphases. They will learn how to draw on historical texts to consider contemporary issues
ProceduralEvaluateStudents can evaluate the practical implications of particular theological anthropologies in ecclesial and public settings (particularly the areas of pastoral care, mission and worship)

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 33 Feedback Weeks 36

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Oral and Written Feedback

Word Count 1000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents have a broad overview of theological anthropologies as exemplified by selected historical thinkers.
FactualUnderstandStudents will demonstrate familiarity with the discipline of Practical Theology as well as its core emphases. They will learn how to draw on historical texts to consider contemporary issues
ProceduralEvaluateStudents can evaluate the practical implications of particular theological anthropologies in ecclesial and public settings (particularly the areas of pastoral care, mission and worship)

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks 39 Feedback Weeks 42

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Oral and Written Feedback

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents have a broad overview of theological anthropologies as exemplified by selected historical thinkers.
FactualUnderstandStudents will demonstrate familiarity with the discipline of Practical Theology as well as its core emphases. They will learn how to draw on historical texts to consider contemporary issues
ProceduralEvaluateStudents can evaluate the practical implications of particular theological anthropologies in ecclesial and public settings (particularly the areas of pastoral care, mission and worship)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandStudents will demonstrate familiarity with the discipline of Practical Theology as well as its core emphases. They will learn how to draw on historical texts to consider contemporary issues
ConceptualUnderstandStudents have a broad overview of theological anthropologies as exemplified by selected historical thinkers.
ProceduralEvaluateStudents can evaluate the practical implications of particular theological anthropologies in ecclesial and public settings (particularly the areas of pastoral care, mission and worship)

Compatibility Mode

We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.