Theories of Culture for Theology

UFT Code: 
AP/CT339
Unit Credit Points: 
15
Timetabling
Semester: 
Second Semester
Day: 
Tuesday
Time: 
10 - 1
Lecturer Profile: 
Robin Koning
Years Offered: 
2010

 
This unit presents a critical overview of theories of culture as developed within anthropology, theology and the teaching of the Churches. The unit will focus on, though not be restricted to, the anthropological approach of Clifford Geertz. Theological approaches to culture will draw on the development of Bernard Lonergan’s work by Robert M. Doran. The unit will trace the evolution of the approach to culture taken in the Roman Catholic Church since Vatican II, drawing primarily on the important role given to culture in the thought of John Paul II.
 

Description
Learning Outcomes: 

 
Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the issues involved in discussion of culture
  2. Demonstrate a familiarity with the approach to culture adopted by Clifford Geertz
  3. Demonstrate an awareness of approaches to culture in churches, and particularly in the Roman Catholic Church under John Paul II
  4. Integrate anthropological and theological perspectives on culture
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of Lonergan’s approach to culture and its development by Robert Doran.

 

Prerequisites: 
45 points of Foundational study, including 30 points in Philosophy or Systematic Theology
Teaching Methods: 

2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorials weekly for 12 weeks

Contact Hours: 

36 Hours

Assessment: 

2 x 3000 word essays (50% each)

Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Bibliography: 

 

* = set texts recommended for purchase
  •  
  • Doran, Robert M. Theology and the Dialectics of History. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1990.
  • Dulles, Avery. The Splendor of Faith: The Theological Vision of Pope John Paul II. New York: Crossroads Publishing Company, 1999.
  • Gallagher, Michael Paul. Clashing Symbols: An Introduction to Faith and Culture. London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 2003.
  • Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books, 1973.
  • Geertz, Clifford. Local Knowledge. New York: Basic Books, 1983.
  • John Paul II, The Encyclicals of John Paul II. Huntington, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor, 1996.
  • *Lonergan, Bernard. Method in Theology. London: Darton, Longman, and Todd, 1972.
  • Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1951.
  • Schreiter, Robert J. Constructing Local Theologies. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1985.
  • Tanner, Kathryn. Theories of Culture: A New Agenda for Theology. Minneapolis : Fortress Press, 1997.

 

Unit Fields
MDiv Field: 
Hermeneutics and Culture
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Elective
MDiv Type of Study: 
Integrative
MTS: 
MTS
Postgraduate: 
No

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2010