Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE HPA5111

 
TITLE Ecclesial Development: Historical, Theological and Artistic Perspectives

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Church History, Patrology and Palaeochristian Archaeology

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit entails the writing and successful submission of a publishable review paper of 10 ECTS.

The student is to choose one of the research areas provided to discuss it with the tutor chosen in order to establish the precise theme and parameters of the topic selected. Under the direction of the tutor, the student will write an essay in which s/he develops this theme.

Study-Unit Aims:

- to assist the student in delving into a theological research topic creatively.
- to elucidate the main issues at stake concerning a particular theme.
- to stimulate interest in a research topic in order to appreciate its relevance to theological discourse.
- to coach the student as they theologize about factual issues.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- identify the arguments in favour of or against a given topic.
- select the most relevant theological implications for a given discourse.
- adequately explain the major issues at stake concerning a particular theological area.
- critically evaluate the relevance of a specific theological theme in relation to contemporary society.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- educate others as regards the theological significance of pertinent and concrete pastoral issues.
- coordinate study-groups dealing with specific topics in different settings.
- diagnose particular pastoral contexts in order to decide on how to approach them.
- develop strategies to address various issues with academic rigour.
- debate in favour of a particular theological position whilst taking into consideration all other possible interpretations.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Quasten Johannes, Patrology, 4 volumes, (Allen, Tx: Thomas More Pr, 1986).
- Van Winden J. et al. (eds), Arche: a collection of Patristic studies, (Leiden: Brill, 1997).
- Kelly J.D.N., Early Christian Doctrines, (London: Bloomsbury, 2014).
- Stevenson J. (ed.), Creeds, Councils and Controversies, (London: SPCK, 1989).
- Gambero Luigi, Mary and the Fathers of the Church, (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1999).
- Bonnici Arthur, History of the Church in Malta, 3 volumes, (Malta: Empire Press, 1967; 1968; 1975).
- Danielou Jean, Gospel message and Hellenistic culture, (London: The Westminster Press, 1973).
- Prestige G.L., God in Patristic Writings, (London: SPCK, 1952).
- Gavrilyuk Paul, The sufferings of the Impassible God (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005).
- Daley Brian E., The Hope of the Early Church. A handbook of Patristic Eschatology, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993).
- Simonetti Manlio, Lettera e/o Allegoria. Un contributo alla storia dell'esegesi patristica, (Roma: Institutum Patristicum Augustinianum, 1985).
- Wessel Susan, Cyril of Alexandria and the Nestorian Controversy. The making of a saint and of a heretic, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Qualification: SThB degree

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Research Paper SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit