| Course Content |
Expand+Why DCU?
• Learn with a dedicated team of highly qualified, committed lecturers with strong research expertise.
• Study in a School of Theology and Philosophy that is international and interdisciplinary.
• Be part of an age-friendly university ...
Hide-Why DCU?
• Learn with a dedicated team of highly qualified, committed lecturers with strong research expertise.
• Study in a School of Theology and Philosophy that is international and interdisciplinary.
• Be part of an age-friendly university which values the contribution of mature students.
• Develop transferable skills, including oral and written communication skills, research skills, and the ability to think critically and analytically.
• Expand your knowledge and skills to pursue an interesting career whether in pastoral work, teaching, or a broad range of other areas.
About You
Do you wish to find out more about the origins and development of the Christian faith? Do you want to explore the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures? Are you interested in intercultural and interreligious dialogue? Are you curious about investigating the relevance of faith in today’s world? Are you involved in any of the following areas, and would like to understand them more deeply: Pastoral and Community work; Adult Religious Education; Youth and Young Adult Ministry; Biblical Studies; Social Justice Groups; Ecumenical Projects; Interfaith Dialogue; Parish Councils; School Governance and Leadership?
This programme is intended for people from a broad range of backgrounds – from faith communities and those of secular conviction – who wish to study theology for personal enrichment or with a view to being more active in their local community. The degree also serves as a qualification if you wish to pursue postgraduate study or research in theology.
By the end of this unique course, you will have learned how to appreciate and critique the intellectual foundations of theology and have developed new insights into cultural and religious diversity. You will have engaged in a dialogue between contemporary life and the theological tradition. You will also have had many opportunities to acquire key transferable skills, e.g., assimilating new knowledge; the close analysis of ancient and modern texts; research and writing skills; time management; teamwork skills.
Understanding:
Theology and Lifelong Education
There are many important existential and cultural questions that arise in people’s lives: Where do I come from? What is my purpose? What is right and wrong, and how can I know? How can we form welcoming and sustainable communities? How can we understand and resolve divisions? How can we make sense of suffering and failure? What is death and is there anything after it? Theology and Lifelong Education examines such questions in a reflective and systematic way; the programme explores texts and thinkers that offer answers to these questions.
It studies the philosophical and religious traditions that have helped to shape our culture and history in Ireland, and exposes students to the global diversity of contemporary theology. It offers in-depth investigation of various Christian theological traditions, places great importance on ecumenical and interfaith study, and engages with the pluralistic and secular culture of the West.
Course Structure
This unique course is available on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 9.30pm and on four Saturdays throughout the academic year.
With close attention to particular religious traditions, intercultural dialogue and interreligious encounter, students will engage with the sources, beliefs and practices which have shaped theology, making guided use of primary and secondary documentation, adult learning styles and associated learning methodologies. Students will learn how to evaluate a range of theological and educational viewpoints supported by relevant academic sources. Building on theological and ethical foundations, respectfully and in solidarity with others, students will learn how to contribute to personal and social transformation.
Each year, modules from scripture, systematic theology, ethics, and education will be offered for study. In your final year of study you will have the opportunity for individual guided research, working on a topic of your choice with a supervisor on a research paper of 6000 words.
You will be expected to complete the programme in 4-5 years. Each module is 7.5 ECTS credits. Students may exit the programme with a Certificate (after successfully completing 8 modules), a Diploma (after successfully completing 16 modules), or the BA degree (after successfully completing 24 modules).
The programme follows a five year cycle, with students entering the programme in any of the years of the cycle. Normally a student will study between five and six modules per year. Please see the “What Will I Study? table for an indicative outline of modules.
Final year students will engage in research training and write a supervised research paper.
Optional language modules: Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
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| Subjects Taught |
Expand+Cycle 1
- Hebrew Scriptures: The Pentateuch
- Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles
- Theology of the Sacraments
- Social Ethics: Theological Perspectives
- Introduction to Judaism and Islam
- Learning across the Life Cycle
Cycle 2
- Women in S...
Hide-Cycle 1
- Hebrew Scriptures: The Pentateuch
- Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles
- Theology of the Sacraments
- Social Ethics: Theological Perspectives
- Introduction to Judaism and Islam
- Learning across the Life Cycle
Cycle 2
- Women in Scripture
- Christology
- Ecclesiology
- Faith and Revelation
- Foundations of Theological Ethics
- Partnership in Education
Cycle 3
- Psalms, Wisdom and Prophets
- Pneumatology
- Ecumenism
- Theological Anthropology
- Theological Sexual Ethics
- Religious Education: Critical Questions
Cycle 4
- The Bible and Art
- History of Christianity
- Reading Early Church Writings
- Liturgy
- History of Philosophy
- Building Community: Structures and Opportunities
Cycle 5
- Gospel and Acts
- The God Question
- Twentieth Century Theologians
- Ressourcement: A Movement of Renewal in 20th Century Catholic Theology
- Bioethics: Theological and Philosophical Perspectives
- Faith Development
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