Code
Undergraduate: CT2033W or CT3033W
Postgraduate: CT9033W
Postgraduate: CT9033W
Level
Undergraduate (Level 2 or Level 3) and Postgraduate (Level 9)
Discipline
Systematic Theology (CT)
Field
Christian Thought and History (C)
Prerequisites
Undergraduate: 54 points (3 standard units) in Foundational Studies
Postgraduate: 72 points (3 standard units) in Foundational Studies
Postgraduate: 72 points (3 standard units) in Foundational Studies
Location
Whitley College view location >
Faculty
Frank Rees
Class Time
Intensive: 4 x 2-day sessions 2021 (Cancelled; offered as reading unit)
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Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:
Undergraduate
- Explain McClendon’s methodology for using biography as theology.
- Apply that methodology in the study of several biographies.
- Outline and discuss the character of faith as seen in the life and work of one major theologian.
- Identify possible implications for their own lives, as a source for theological reflection.
- Level 3: Critically evaluate the use of life stories as a source for theology.
Postgraduate
- Explain McClendon’s methodology for using biography as theology .
- Apply that methodology in the study of several biographies.
- Critically discuss the character of faith as seen in the life and work of one major theologian.
- Identify possible implications for their own lives, as a source for theological reflection.
- Critically discuss the relation between lived experience and the formulation of theological ideas and systems, with specific attention to one writer or doctrine.
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Assessment
Undergraduate
- One book review (1,500 words) (40%)
- One seminar paper (1,000 words) (20%)
- One essay (Level 2: 1,500 words; Level 3: 2,000 words) (40%)
Postgraduate
- One book review (2,000 words) (20%)
- One seminar paper (1,500 words) (20%)
- One essay (4,000 words) (60%)
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Recommended reading
Set texts recommended for purchase are highlighted in blue
- McClendon, J Biography as theology, 2nd Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Trinity Press International, 2002.
- Balmer, Randall, Redeemer: the life of Jimmy Carter. New York: Basic Books, 2014.
- Bethge, E Dietrich Bonhoeffer London: Collins, 1970.
- Busch, E Karl Barth. His life from letters and autobiographical texts. London: SCM, 1976.
- Carson, Clayborne (ed.), The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. London: Little, Brown & Co., 1999.
- Confoy, Maryanne Morris West: Literary Maverick. Milton, Queensland: John Wiley & Sons, 2005.
- Fowler, J, Lovin, R et. al, Trajectories in faith. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1980.
- Hamlin, Catherine & Little, John The Hospital by the River: a story of hope, Sydeney: Pan Macmillan Australia, 2001.
- Higgins, Michael & Burns, Kevin Genius Born of Anguish: the life and legacy of Henri Nouwen, New York: Paulist Press, 2012.
- Lipsey, Roger, Hammarskjöld: A Life. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 2013.
- Moltmann, J A Broad Place: An Autobiography, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press, 2007.
- Pauck, W & Pauck, M Paul Tillich: His life and Thought, Vol. 1, London: Collins, 1977.
- Pidwell, Harold, A Gentle Bunyip: the Athol Gill story, West Lakes, South Australia: Seaview Press, 2007.
- Rudolph, Ivan John Flynn: Of flying doctors and frontier faith. North Blackburn, Victoria: Dove Publications, 1996.
- Sobrino, Jon and Martin-Baro, Ignacio (eds.), Voice of the Voiceless: Archbishop Oscar Romero. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, 1985.
- Spink, Kathryn, Mother Teresa (Revised Edition), New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2011.
- Stone, Elaine Murray, Dorothy Day: Champion of the poor. New York: Paulist Press, 2004.
- Webb, V Florence Nightingale: the making of a radical theologian, St Louis: Chalice Press, 2002