THL216 Christian Spirituality (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Theology (THEOL)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject introduces students to the history of Christian spiritual traditions, and considers how those traditions are related to the contemporary interest in spirituality. It focuses particularly on Western spiritual traditions, including the desert fathers and mothers, the monastic and mendicant traditions, Reformation spiritualities and mysticism. Orthodox, Pentecostal and further contemporary directions in spirituality are considered briefly. The subject also addresses questions concerning the relationship between spirituality and Christian doctrine, interfaith understanding, feminism and theologies of the body. In addition, the subject provides students with the opportunity to encounter key Christian spiritual disciplines or practices.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 1 | |
|---|---|
| Internal | Canberra |
| Internal | United Theological College |
| Distance * | Canberra |
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL216
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Assumed Knowledge:
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the concept of specifically Christian spirituality;
- be able to identify major elements in the history of Christian spiritual traditions;
- be able to demonstrate a deeper understanding and critical appreciation of one strand of the Christian spiritual tradition;
- be able to appreciate the significance of the relationship between spirituality and theological understanding;
- be able to reflect critically on their own spiritual understanding; and
- be able to demonstrate self-guided learning, including research, writing and communication skills.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
- Part I: What is Christian spirituality?: Spirituality in contemporary context - Australia and elsewhere; Spirituality in the Christian tradition.
- Part II: Historical movements: The desert fathers and mothers; Monastic paradigms; Mendicant traditions; Reformation spiritualities; Mystical traditions; Orthodoxy and pentecostalism; Further contemporary directions.
- Part III: Spirituality in Dialogue: Spirituality and Christian doctrine; Spirituality and an interfaith context; spirituality and feminism; Spirituality and everyday life.
Residential School
This subject contains a optional 2 day residential school.
This optional residential uses lectures, group discussion, visual and aural media, and practical spiritual tools to introduce students to the history of Christian spiritual traditions. In addition, the residential provides students with the opportunity to encounter key Christian spiritual disciplines through practical experience.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.