Part 1: The history of theology

The first part of this two-term course offers a historical and systematic analysis of the philosophical and theological developments within Christian theology from the Patristic period, especially St Augustine, through the Middle Ages (St Thomas Aquinas) to the Reformation (Martin Luther) and the dissolution of the medieval synthesis. It further traces the philosophical, scientific and theological movements leading to the Enlightenment and the development of deism in Britain (Newton, Cherbury, Locke, Hume), in France (Voltaire and Rousseau) and in Germany (Leibniz, Wolff, Kant).

Part 2: Issues in theology

After sketching the transition in Western scientific, philosophical, theological and cultural discourse in part one, the second part of the course traces the new developments from the Enlightenment through the rise of atheism in eighteenth-century France and Germany to the inception of modern Protestant theology in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and the Roman Catholic theological revival and suppression during the same period. The course also treats the modern critique of religion by Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche and Freud. Finally it examines the retrieval of experience as the central locus of theology (second half of the twentieth century) and compares this with the linguistic and cultural approach to religion.

Lecturer

Cathriona Russell

How to apply

Applications can be made in person on Wednesday, 19 September 2012, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Religions and Theology, room 5010, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19 September 2012.

Fee

Part 1 €150

Part 2 €150

Both parts €259

For security reasons payment should be by cheque/draft/postal money order only, made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension. Those paying in two instalments must make the second payment by Friday, 11 January 2013.

Date

Teaching in Michaelmas term commences during the week beginning 24 September 2012 and in Hilary term during the week beginning 14 January 2013. Please note this is a day-time course.

Duration

The course runs for a total of twenty-two weeks in two parts. Part 1 runs through Michaelmas term; part 2 runs through Hilary term.

Further information

Contact: Jane Welch, Executive Officer, Department of Religions and Theology, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01 896 1297, email: jwelch@tcd.ie